Job done

It was another busy blogging weekend at Crufts.

The frenetic couple of days which began very early on Saturday morning at Euston Station … Georgie didn’t know where we were going and was asking – “What is Crufts?”Crufts, Georgie, is the world’s largest dog show. You will meet thousands upon thousands of dogs. You will see, Georgie – that even though all of us dogs have four legs, two eyes and button noses …In every other way we vary – in size, colour, length of hair/fur, our ears can be long and floppy or sticking up, tails of different lengths but they all wag the same way and very different temperaments, of course!  Georgie, you will realise that you are as unique as the next dog and have as much in common as them! Sometimes humans forget that about us.  And this is a world you will soon realise.

So off we went on an early train ride from London Euston to Birmingham – and Mummy is really, really pleased that Georgie’s godmother, Praewa came along with us. Otherwise, I think Mummy would be doubly tired!!! We got off at Birmingham New Street station and we walked from there to our hotel – through St. Philips Place, past the cathedral.We’re back to another Hotel du Vin – this time in Birmingham because they are dog friendly.Then we were off to NEC – to Crufts 2015 – my second year as a blogger.After stopping over at the press office to get our Press Pass and Piazza passes  (which allows us to go in and out easier) – we were off!

First stop – our pals – Honey’s Real Dog Food. Hello Jonathan! It’s lovely to see you again.
We walked the halls checking out the hundreds of stalls. And we got to meet lots of people … ok, I’ve shown all the photos of Georgie and his “fans” – I had as many friends too! There were hundreds stalls selling food but they were not exactly generous in giving them out. Whatever little treats we managed to get, we had to show our tricks to get any.At other times we were scavenging – straining to get to that one little itsy bitsy piece of food dropped by a human in error.Mummy wasn’t exactly forthcoming with treats or pressies. She thought that everyone would be giving us stuff anyway, so she didn’t. She also knows that we don’t really play with our basketful of toys so she definitely did not buy us any.

The one thing that she did buy for us is a hand crafted wooden puzzle.  Mummy will hide treats in the Puzzle-It , and then I need to figure out how to move the wooden puzzle pieces to reveal the treats.I had a go at it … hmmm, have to give this one a go another time. Not so easy.

We went to shows at the different arenas.  The one that Mummy LOVED the most was the Southern Golden Retrievers.She thinks it’s amazing all these dogs can be so calm with so many others and following commands.
Oops!Even though they may have passed their Gold Good Citizen test – it’s no guarantee that they will ALWAYS do what they are told. But they were fun to watch.

At least Mummy thought so – I, not so much.But Georgie got into it and danced to the music in his funny way.

By the end of Sunday, we were sufficiently knackered – and it was definitely time to go home.After being at an event where most people were happy to see us, it was a bit of a shock for Mummy and Praewa when a fellow passenger on spoke rudely to us as we boarded the train – “Dogs on trains! That is ridiculous! I am allergic to dogs. I paid for my ticket and I don’t expect to sit next to dogs.”  Mummy told him, we paid for our tickets too. He left in a huff but another passenger told us – don’t worry about it, he was extremely rude and his allergies can only happen if the dog rub against him. This was the first abusive person we’ve met on our many train rides – so it’s not the norm.

P.s. Don’t tell Crufts organisers that Georgie did two pees and a poo inside the halls.  Once on the carpeting in Hall 3. The next time he cocked his leg against a flower-pot in Hall 2!!!  And poo’d in the piazza. Crikey, Georgie!  Can’t take you anywhere! Well, I guess we can’t blame you for thinking that since there were dog smells everywhere and I’m sure you were not the only one who did!

May’s comment: Thank goodness Praewa came along and helped with the dogs.  I might have been able to walk about with the two of them but I don’t think I could have done two days of it.

And thank you to Honey’s Real Dog Food – we are just one of their many customers but they always make us feel welcomed and special. It was there we rested our weary feet.

We loved meeting everyone who came to say hello and seeing old faces.

We were surprised how many people inquired about Darcy – they either had a poodle cross, intend to get one, or have heard about them – they were all positive and the reception was very warm. And when they turned to George, they wondered if he was a poodle cross as well and then became even more delighted when they learn he’s a rescue – all except for one lady who when she heard he was a mutt from the streets of Hungary, her expression changed and said, “So what is he doing here?” To which I replied, “Because he is a dog and we have a job to do.”

I felt really sorry for her.

And I felt really sad for the dogs whose owners see them as display animals.  I know they do the same with horses and pigs and even children, I suppose in beauty pageants.  But don’t judge my dogs for what they are. They don’t need to win prizes for me to know they are the prettiest and handsomest – in my eyes.

There are many positives at Crufts and in many instances, people can learn all about the things they can do to help their furry friends and demonstrate how amazing dogs are – as well as learn that dogs are such an integral part of society – such as Hearing Dogs, those who help the disabled – just how much good they can do.  That aspect of dogs are often ignored in the media.  But when it comes to winning competitions that’s when the comfort level drops significantly.