LEWISTON – A former Fayette teen, now living in Lewiston, is heading to Chicago next week so his dog, Buddy, can compete in a long-jump competition.

Zane Capen, 16, is trying to get his white and black bull-mastiff/Dalmatian mix a shot at participating in the outdoor games on ESPN.

Capen, who adopted the dog from the Androscoggin Humane Society in Auburn two years ago, said the pair have already competed in Maryland.

“He did good,” Capen said.

Buddy jumped 21 feet into a swimming pool.

His dog can jump 30 feet but is used to leaping off a dock into a pond, Capen said.

The two leave Wednesday, Sept. 22, for competition on Saturday, Sept. 25, and Sunday, Sept. 26, in Chicago.

This time Buddy will be leaping into a pond.

This is the second leg of three needed to make it to the ESPN: Great Outdoor Games.

Capen, who lives at the Dirigo House, a transition program in Lewiston that helps teens who want to be on their own because of difficulties in their lives, plans to complete the last leg of competition next year.

He has had help from sponsors to take his dog to competitions so far. He’ll need more help to get the money needed for competition next year.

Anyone interested in sponsoring him may contact him at 784-7144.