Goodwoof 2023 exceeded all expectations. It was an amazing weekend celebrating all things dogs!
From the moment we arrived there was nothing short of excellence.
And hovering in the middle of the fields is our hero, Snoopy. A book lover, a writer and as Joe Cool, he is the big dog on campus – overseeing and reporting all that was happening over the two days of all things dog!
Many of our friends were there too. Some whom we haven’t seen for a very long time, to those who travelled from afar – this was truly a gathering place for all dog lovers.
New to this year’s Goodwoof is Fortnum & Mason! They hosted a picnic area and we sat in the sunshine sharing our hamper lunch.
And there was no shortage of Taittinger champagne, Pimms, etc.!
We cheered on our friends at Chien Charmant – the concours d’elegance for the dog world which showcases the unique bond between dog and owner.
I entered a competition too! Mum thought I might have a chance at Fastest Dog in the small dog category but I was running in my own lane. I came in at 8.6 seconds slow!!!! I would run faster if I was competing with the bigger dogs. Listen to Ju-li cheering me on!
It’s been awhile since we had done agility. Mum knew I could do the obstacles but there were too many dropped treats along the trail which distracted me.
For quieter moments, there were tarot card readings and crystal healing.
James Middleton of Ella & Co. who was there in support of Pets as Therapy was on his Babboe bike with his pack of dogs when we ran into him. We have been early adopters of their freeze dried food as our solution for travel – so it was good to finally meet in person.
Mum has been considering for a few years to sign me up as a therapy dog … so it was helpful to have a chance to speak to them in person – let’s hope they’ll accept me. And here she is trying to show how keen she is to be a Pets as Therapy mum! LOL!
At the Literary Corner, we could sit in a shaded area and listen to tales from a stellar line of authors and artists – including Charlie Mackesy. Mum and Darcy met him in 2018 at a gallery in Mayfair when we could still afford his prints. Today he is a multiple award winning writer, illustrator and film maker having won a BAFTA and the Oscar!
I tried to replicate a photo that Darcy had taken with him back in 2018 but we didn’t quite succeed.
But Mum got him to dedicate his book The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse to Miss D and me!
And of course there was Barkitecture presented by Mastercard! The theme for this year’s competition was “A Companion Piece – Dogs at Work”. Presiding over the judging were Kevin McCloud, Bill Bailey and Stephen Bayley. We had our little eyes on one of them but we were out bidded.
All over the grounds there was much to see …
The two day event came to an end all too soon … there was still so much more we didn’t get to do. We can’t wait to come back for Goodwoof 2024!!!
May’s comment: From breathtaking Barkour stunts, rapid Flyball relays, world class demonstrations from renowned trainers as well as brilliant Barkitecture kennel designs – Goodwoof presented by MARS Petcare was a true celebration of all things dog! But there were also lots of things for humans.
This year we decided to attend both days – and even then there wasn’t enough time to try everything. We missed dancing at the Ministry of Hounds. We never got to do any of the Health & Wellbeing programmes. George probably wouldn’t go into the Fido’s Lido, but he might jump over haystacks.
Goodwoof 2023 must have been one of the happiest places on earth this past weekend. There were thousands of people roaming the beautiful grounds with their dogs – just being together.
Thank you Goodwoof for capturing this moment.
And every time we’re there – we will always look at the D in Goodwoof and know Darcy will always be there with us.
Hope to see you all next year. Sign up for information about tickets for 2024.
One Response
It was so neat that you and George got to see Charlie Mackesy again! I watched him receive his Oscar on television and I wouldn’t have known he was up for the award if I hadn’t read it from you!
Also, George would be a wonderful Therapy Dog! Back in the ’80’s, my German Shepherd -X, Terra, was a Therapy Dog. We went to retirement homes to greet the residents.