Tuesday 10 April 2012

Hythe Kent Greyhound walk blog

Another catch up blog today telling my adventures at Hythe in Kent. This took place 17th March 2012.
We were already visiting Grandad in Kent so took the motorway and after 50 minutes arrived in Hythe. Dad won the car competition on who could spot the sea first. We managed to park on road on the seafront and it was freeee. Hoomans were beginning to get worried as there didn't seem like anyone was turning up and not walked from there before didn't know if we were in the right place.

Star was looking for me as Mom walked me on the beach. The bad news is its all stoney Rolo's don't like stones! 👎
We hoomans sat on the wall talking to the other owners why we sniffed butts and did our doggie intro's. Turned out one of the hounds was a twitter buddie Georgie @GeorgieGreyhoun (yes that's how he spells it ran out of letters). As you can see below he's a handsome chap!

Even though it was cloudy when we left it brightened up. We walked along the seafront. Along with one of the kennel dogs that is looking for a forever home.
Kent Greyhound rescue (@KentGreyhound)are based in Hythe a registered charity run purely by volunteers dedicated to find retired greyhounds new homes. Their hounds have previously raced at Sittingbourne Kent. They do occasionally rehome lurchers and other sight hounds.

At the end of the seafront was a kiosk selling ice cream coffees etc. Dad fed us some treats and we posed for photos with Georgie. Cheese!

After the photos we walked back down the seafront and after a brief chat with Georgie at the end we left. Hoomans then went to the new dobbies garden centre and got us some doggie ice cream. We got to try the carrot, apple and banana flavour. It was very nom nom!

Thursday 5 April 2012

Crufts review blog

I apologise guys I've been a bit behind with my blogging. But I thought I would write a review of Crufts.
Firstly a big congratulations to Elizabeth the Llaso Apso who beat over 21,000 dogs to be crowned best in show 2012. She came from Coventry which is only 20 minutes away from me so you never know I may see her if I'm walked in that area. Although I think she is too pampered to be seen out on a walk.

My hoomans hadn't been to Crufts for 8 years and forgot how much walking there is across the 5 halls and now the main show rink is in the arena even further. The arena makes a much better viewing experience for the agility, flyball, best in group and show.
In hall 3 my hoomans watched Traci and her dog Mouse take part in their bronze good citizen award.

Both Mouse and Traci were fabulous and I'm glad to say after the heelwork, grooming, recall, health questions, 1 minute stay (I'm a long way off that 10 seconds maybe) and others they passed (2 out of 9 passed) well done guys !
In the same ring later on the hoomans also watched so demonstrations on heelwork to music. This dog held the ring with his paw. Whilst the hooman crawled through it.

In the main arena was the agility. As the hoomans walked to the arena they walked past the studio set up for the excellent more4 shows that were on every night.

It was strange seeing the stage with no one in it. Hoomans found it fun to watch the staff altering the set up for the agility course and then the hooman competitors walking through the course without their dogs working out which way they were going to send their dog in the correct direction.
If you watch the video looks a bit like they are dancing.

There was some great special offers to be had. Hoomans got Star and I a goodie bag each from fish 4 dogs which had free salmon oil and food samples in Nom Nom.
But one mustn't forget the 21,000 dogs on show patiently waiting in their holding kennels prior to being judged. Dogs had to stay until 4 pm to before they could go home so visitors could see them. Incidentally one of my pals George The Lad was on the welsh terrier stand on Sunday in the discover dogs area. Hoomans went to see him he was very tired but his hoomans were happy after Dad gave them some vouchors for 20% off his food.

This year was the introduction of independent vet inspection to verify the dogs met best in breed. Unfortunately 6 out of 15 tested failed. I agree with the kennel club that only health dogs should be rewarded with best in breed.

Crufts made the most of the internet with youtube showing live footage.
Crufts YouTube channel

You can still watch the videos including excellent clips of the funniest bits of Crufts.


Hoomans loved Crufts as I'm sure all
the other visitors did. Can't wait to go back next year.