The Happy Dogs Show 2009

WOW!! What a show - so many people on the field supporting us and the work we do and of course the wonderful dogs, so many of them our own Happy Dogs. I think that this has to be the biggest show yet. It was good to see everyone having such a good day out and again the atmosphere was terrific with everything running like clockwork - well nearly - no really!! I don't think anyone arriving at the show would realize how much work is involved for weeks beforehand to make sure that everything slots into place smoothly on the day. Here I feel I must say a huge "Thank You" to Ted, my husband, who has organised every show, down to the last nut and bolt so to speak since we held our first one here thirteen years ago. We do have a lot more help now though than when it was just him and me !! Thank you Ted.

The first to greet the visitors are Danny, Dave, Bill. Jim and Fred, who direct the cars to the parking area, Louise and Mel are ready at the Ring entrance to welcome everyone as they enter their dogs for the classes, there were 22 in all this year. Patsy our Mistress of the ring is ready to assist the Judges and present the rosettes. Yvonne is on hand, having beautifully displayed the silver cups and shields to escort the winners to Andy and Matt to record their win with an instant photographs. All our stalls so professionally set out - Kit on information about the Charity and running our very successful raffle with Pat, Maggie and Arthur on the Tombola and Audrey with the 50/50 bucket. Val selling pickles and jams - homemade. Then there is Mary, Marg, and Jim selling the cakes and what a succulent spread and also manning the bric-a-brac. Bev is next offering jewellery and trinkets then Myra offering our beds for sale, all beautifully made by Maggie. Pat and Barry going great guns with the food so generously given to us by supporting Dog food retailers. Next is Mary, Bill and Jean selling books and puzzles and toys. Sylvia and her daughter Wendy had as much fun as the public on their very successful "Aunt Sally" with Roy, Sara and Lyn expertly managing the Coconut Shy. Then there was Nicholas with her wonderful display of home made organic dog biscuits all beautifully presented. One of the ingredients in the biscuits were eggs laid by our own Happy Dog hens at the Sanctuary and sampled in advance of the show by the Happy Dogs and greatly appreciated by them. Then we had Sandra and Barry and their family once again displaying a variety of goods for sale on their stall. Also on the field Aydy and his really great catering complex beautifully set out to allow the public to sit and enjoy his good food. Stewart was also kept busy taking photographs of all the helpers and so many of the beautiful dogs on the site. Then dotted about various other small traders and people selling other commodities. a very colourful picture. Paddy"s Pool was one who incidentally was another of our sponsors.

Several of our other Sponsors also joined us on the day, Audrey Brown, Marion, Chris Trickey from the Cedar Veterinary Group who have always cared so well for our dogs was also providing microchipping and judging some of the classes. Not a mean feat, most of them were huge. My thanks to all our other judges too, John Easton, Julia Wass. Judy Townsend, Roy Norbury and Carl Chambers of In-Excess who has been a major supporter for some years now. It was great to have him share our very successful day. Alongside the main ring Wendy and Max (her beautiful Shepherd incidentally a Happy Dog) ran the Scurry. Don't know who enjoyed it more, Wendy, the Owners or the dogs!! Throughout the whole day Jac (my daughter) was on the P.A. system keeping people informed what was happening on the field, chatting to everyone in the ring about their dogs and keeping everyone involved and feeling a part of it all - fabulous.

Someone, during the course of the day said to me "Lyn you have a great team" - I do - we are a Great Team and without them all an awful lot of dogs would never see the better side of mankind. My grateful thanks to them all and to every one who came to support what we do and make it another special day to remember. God Bless Lyn.xx