Home

About

Greyhound Care

Jack

George

Jerry

Tegan

Buttons

Jet

Mouse

Links

Guestbook

Send e-mail to Fiona

George Goes to Crufts

What a day it has been. We all got up very early and had a walk and some breakfast, and then Jack and I heard Auntie Alyson's four wheel drive pull up on the driveway. We were both very excited as this always means we are off somewhere special with her two dogs, so we started bouncing at the door. Then the most amazing thing happened. Dad came downstairs and lured Jack away from the door with a pigs ear (he is so easily bought) and Mum took me outside on my own. I felt very special, and even more special when I saw I had the whole back of the car to myself. Auntie Alyson's dogs were left behind as well.

I spent a long time standing with my nose out the window huffing with excitement, but eventually had to have a little snooze. When we stopped we were in a large car park and I was a bit worried, as this place didn't look much fun. We got out of the car and Mum put on my coat that I wear when I visit the retirement home, and suddenly lots of people started coming over to pat me. It was lovely and then I noticed lots of other dogs, but most of them were in big cages. The cages were on wheels, and the owners pull them along. Although I quite liked the idea of being pulled around in my very own cart, I wasn't too sure about the cage thing, so on balance it seemed better to be able to be patted and walk on the lawns. I did eye up a rather pleasant looking lake in the distance, but Mum rather meanly had also seen it, and refused to let me off my lead.

Eventually we came to a huge building and once inside there were lots of very interesting smells. We were walking far to quickly for my liking past lots of stalls selling yummy smelling food, squeaky toys and inviting looking beds. Finally we stopped in front of a large wooden bench that had a sign with my name above it. There wasn't much space on this bench, so Mum shifted some dividers around and I got a whole double bench all to myself. I had my bed from the car so I popped up onto the bench for a quick rest, and as soon as I lay down I saw it. Up on the roof there were all sorts of moving flags and strange looking things called fans that were very frightening. Of course this meant it was impossible to sleep so I stood up whining and shaking instead. Even the sight of the Afghans with their snoods to keep their fur neat didn't cheer me up, so Mum got on the bench with me and covered my head with her fleece and then I was able to have a little sleep.

After my snooze Mum got me off me bench and led me over to a corner that was fenced off and covered in sawdust. I really needed the loo but was very confused as we were still inside (I kept looking up at the ceiling to check) and I know you are not supposed to go to the loo inside. I trotted around and around and stopped in front of Mum to let her know that I needed to go but couldn't go here. Thankfully she found a nice security guard who let us slip out the back to a small patch of grass which was much better.

After all of that we went for a walk around, and lots of people stopped to pat me and ask Mum questions. Finally we got together with a group of other dogs all wearing the same yellow coat as me, and walked into a large ring. While we were trotting around someone talked about us over the tannoy, and then they invited everyone who wanted to meet us to come in and say hello. This was my favorite part of the whole day, as I felt very special and Mum kept telling me what a good boy I was.

Apart from all the fuss and patting there were several other good things about my day at Crufts.

I met a very famous labrador called Endal. He has been specially trained to help his Dad and is supposed to be very clever and knows how to do lots of helpful things. After meeting him I do think he is a lovely dog, but really not as bright as some of you may think. For example the first thing his Dad asked him to do was get his wallet, so Endal trotted around to the bag hanging over the back of his Dad's wheel chair, popped his nose in and reappeared a few moments later with the wallet in his mouth. No I know some of you will be thinking he sounds like a brilliantly clever dog, but I would have to disagree. If he is that smart then surely he would have grabbed the sandwiches instead and had a quick snack before getting the wallet. Anyway he did let me have a drink form his water bowl, so he overall he seems like a very nice chap indeed (although I wouldn't have said no to some sandwiches. Mum never lets me put my head in her bag).

We also did quite a lot of shopping, and several people told me what a good and handsome boy I was and gave me treats.

Finally it was time to go home and Mum and Auntie Alyson had to make two trips to the car they had bought so much stuff. I was so tired that I didn't stand up once and slept the whole way home.

Back to George's Page