1000 Sighthounds blog

Hoomans have taken Star and I
on holibobs to somewhere different North Devon for a week in a 1 bed apartment. We arrived on the Saturday so we could then go 1000 sighthounds walk and dog show on the Sunday 8th September.

The walk started at 12 but it was an hours drive from where we were staying. Hoomans silly sat Nav took them through tiny little country lanes but we made it to the car park. We got our tag collars, bandanas and bibs put on and were ready to go.

There were 2 registration tents and we paid our £2 each and filled the form in to register for gift aid. In return we got given a goodie bag with a save the greyhounds - Grey2K USA wrist band, a sample of Burgess sensitive food and a guide to the show.

There were loads of stalls on the out side of the show ring but that was for the dog show at 2pm.

I saw my friends Cat greyhound and wished her my best as she has got a poorly paw to get better soon. Then our friends from dog training arrived Lola and Lena. They are staying in a farm cottage 10 miles away from us.

We gathered for a group photo for the local paper and then at 12 we gathered to start the walk. They had an official start line to break and we walked for about 1.5 miles.

Hoomom got talking to a nice lady and her hound one of my new twitter followers Bobbit dog @howbobbitseesit but as the poster says it was for all sighthounds not just greys.

The walk took about 1 hour we got back just before a very heavy rain shower. Everyone dived for cover some left but we stayed, hey I wanted to win a rossette in the dog show.

2pm the dog show started I got entered in the veteran class but being nearly 8 I didn't stand a chance against Shadie who is 14 he got a special rossette from the judge.

Lola and her Hoomom were standing next to me in the class. Some of my class skills rubbed off onto Lola as she decided to have a lie down.

I on the other hand got some lovings from her Hoomom Linda so I jumped up her and gave her a cuddle.

Star went in the best sighthound bitch but sadly like Lola and I no rosette.

To complete the no rosette afternoon Lena wasn't placed in the best black beauty class. All classes were well attended with over 30 dogs in each class.

We all decided to buy some raffle tickets Lola's hoomom (Linda) said our our luck would be better in that.

Well it did change ! Linda got 2nd prize the 12 bottles of wine.

So lets just say Linda & Paul will be having a drink or 2 on their holiday. We are planning to met up with them later in the week for walkies. Nearly forgot all 4 of us hounds got a lovely smoked pigs ear that had meaty bits in the base.

1000 sighthounds walk is going to be put onto next years to visit calender ! Lets hope next year they can beat the 285 that were at this years walk.

Greyhound walks dog show 2013 blog

Sunday 11th August Star, myself and the hoomans got in the car for a 2 hour drive down to Braintree in Essex. Are you mad I hear you say, why? I'm going to tell you it was to go to the Greyhound Walks dog show at Notley Country Park.

It was my second time attending but the shows 6th annual show. Parking was £3 all day and we managed to get under the shade of the hedge.

The show was free to enter but all classes were £2 per dog. To enter the classes you had to walk over to the registration campervan.

The queue was moving quickly with folks handing forms in and paying their money. Hoodad wrote the form for Star and I so that will explain why they put Rulo not Rolo on my registration number. Silly hooman doesn't have the best hand writing.

In ring 1 and 2 was where the greyhound classes took place and were between the public announcement portacabin. On the PA system Andy did a fantastic job announcing the classes taking place and other great information. The announcements were clear and could be heard all across the park, unlike some shows were it sounds like they are in a fish tank!

I got entered into the handsome dog class but decided I liked sniffing the ground outside of the ring. Star entered the greyhound bitch 5 and 6 years old. Sadly we weren't picked in positions 1-5 and missed out on rosettes and great goodie bags. By the time I was in handsome dog class I was thirsty and shared a bowl of water with another dog. As you can see the hooman had to keep adding more water as we were both drinking it so fast!

They had a best family class and even with our combined efforts we still couldn't get a rosette. I have come to the conclusion to win best family you need 3 or more dogs the more the better especially if you are all different breeds.

Enough about the dog show onto the stuff I enjoy spending the hoomans money at the trade stands. I started off at the dog tombola. Yes a dog tombola only dog prizes!

Hoomom paid her £1 for 5 tickets and won 4 prizes - bone treat holder, chewdles, luminous collar, pack of natures best. I then found a great new stand Treats 2 Sit 4 all homemade and no added ingredients air dried treats. Unfortunately us greys can't sit as it's bad for our backs. I already have spondylitis in my back so even less chance of me sitting. As you can see from the pictures below we did find a hound that would sit for the treats.

There were various other kennel charities there the GRWE (Greyhound Rescue West of England) as well as Barleys Kennels.

Before I went to Kenilworth dogs trust I lived at Barleys for 18 months. Barleys is run by Jo and she was there. I recognised her and went crazy giving her lovings as well as the kennel handler that used to walk me.

This was the first show that Treats 2 Sit 4 had done and showed off their range that have no artificial nasties,salt or sugar as well as being grain and gluten free.

We bought some of them which I tried during the show but then had to go and buy more. So I have the whole range
Air dried ox and chicken liver
Air dried beef heart
Atomic drops - ox liver & garlic
Hypno teasers - chicken liver, breast and aniseed
Air dried chicken breast

All very nommie and some have been put in the freezer.

Hoomans got Star and I a bandana from Miglicoats. Pink stars for Star and a black flames one for me.

This show is definitely getting put on my yearly shows to visit.

Dogs trust fun day and dog show 2013 blog

Time to tell you about my visit last week to the dogs trust fun day and dog show. For those of you who don't know I found my forever home from the dogs trust in May 2011. I like to support the show as they looked after me so well for the month that I was at the Kenilworth branch. The show was at Hatton country world on their large field.

Last year it was terrible weather mud everywhere and cold. This year was very hot and sunny. They have stalls on the outside then 3 main rinks in the middle. The 1st rink was for dogs the 2nd rink for bitches and the 3rd rink for demonstrations and dog line dancing.

As it was sunny the show was very busy but my class was in ring 1 dogs rehomed from dogs trust. Prizes were given up to 6th place but sadly I didn't win anything. Star was then straight into ring 2 for best bitch class, again she came away empty handed. Both classes had over 30 dogs in.
Because of the heat hoomans took our beach shelter for us to stay cool in.

Dad went shopping in the tents and got some of the really strong dogs trust poo bags 200 for £3 so they got 3 rolls.

Having me and my sis Star they won't last that long.
After chillin in the tent we both entered the best greyhound and lurcher class. Star got a rosette

They got her number - special and I came away with a rosette also ...

On the outside of the ring they had have-a-go agility which Star did.

But this was after she had done the doggie dash which was 40 metres. Star had watched other dogs do it in 3.5. - 7 seconds but she loves a good zoom. Here she didn't disappoint.

Everyone doing the dash and agility got a certificate but we didn't realise you got a prize for being the fastest dog. Star was that dog and we collected her prize today.

In my basket was a tug toy, chews, a blanket, bio degradable poo bags and a nom nom container.
We both loved our day out at the show. Can't wait till next years show.

Crufts tickets (1 day competition closes 6 pm Monday 4th) blog

Crufts is only 3 days away ! Woof woof !
I have two pairs of tickets to give away valid on 1 day throughout the show!

Samsung have been a sponsor of Crufts for 20 years this year. My question to win the tickets is

What is the name of the Facebook app Samsung and Blue Cross have developed?

Until I do the draw I'm looking after the tickets!

To enter email me your name
Rolohound14@gmail.com

Winners will be contacted by email Monday night to get address to post the tickets to.

UK entries only draw will take place at 6 pm Monday 4th March 2013 (to ensure tickets get posted out on time for Thursday)

Greyhound walks charity dog show blog

After visiting Grandad in Kent and seeing my fur friend Betty it was time to go back home. But hoomans then told us it was via a diversion to the greyhound walks charity dog show. The event should have been in April
but all the heavy rain forced them to cancel it.

After an hour or so drive in the car the clever talking machine in the car got us to the dog show.

Star and I went straight to the registration area to be entered into a class each. Unfortunately we didn't win so no rosettes to show you. The show was well run giving away poop bags, lots of water on stands. As well as a great variety of stalls selling food, treats, collars and others.

After our time in the ring we went shopping and bumped into a famous dog. Dash bitch of the year and her hooman Andrew Dilger. If you haven't read Dash's book it's all about Andrew her hooman taking her on straight after retiring from racing and the journey in her forever home. It's a great read and good news for my american friends it will soon be on sale there. So a photo call with the famous hound was a must

Further round the stalls I bumped into Barley Kennels (Walthemstow) where I spent a happy 18 months when I first retired from racing. Joy who ran the kennels recognised me and me her - I went mental jumping up her, giving her cuddles (my little white fleck in my head gave me away) Hoomans got some of their key rings and some of my food. I helped myself to large gulps of their cold water!

After buying some of the biscuits on sale and checking out all the stores including more collars for Star and me from AK Creations.

With such a lovely sunny day and park it was time for a quick walk and to admire the views.

Today was a great day but made enjoyable as Star and I had our keep cool jackets on (www.keepcool.org.uk) other dogs had other sun jackets on but ours looked the smartest and fit the best. Even in the direct sunshine they stayed wet for 4 hours.

The show was fab and I will have to nag hoomans for a return visit next year.

Crufts starts tomorrow blog

Where do you start talking about the greatest dog show in the world!

I will start by being selfish - what will they buy Star and I from the 400 trade stands ? Hoomans have been trying my cool coat on Star and realised I need the bigger size. The cool coats are fab soak them in water and keeps me cool for 4 hours whilst the sun evaporates the water.

That means a trip to the XtraDog stand hall 1 stand 125 plus more freshner pads for our dicky bags.

Thursday the first day means judging is toy and utility groups. The toy group has the smallest dogs in the competition. The ever popular king Charles spaniel.

But also some more unusual breeds such as the Cotten De Tulear, Pomeranian, Affenpinscher and the Pug.

Dad is a tall hooman 6.ft1 but out of the small dogs, he loves the Chihuahua. At Crufts they judge both the short and long haired versions. Having a size 10 foot he would probably tread on one.

Whereas as Mom will want to see the small version of me the Italian Greyhound.

You can still get tickets and under 8's get in free.