Monday 4 August 2014

Pounds For Hounds

Yesterday, we were helping raise pounds for hounds at the local Dogs Trust open day and fun dog show by supporting the event.


We'd popped down beforehand with some buns I'd baked for the cake stall. I'd normally put smarties on the top of the chocolate ones but I didn't have any. They look a bit plain but I'm sure someone will have bought them.


It was very well attended by both two legged visitors and four legged ones, most with waggy tails.



All dogs were given a pretty yellow ribbon to wear as they arrived. Archie was a little miffed at having to look so pretty, he's a boy afterall.


There were lots of different games and stalls around the field. Actually it was a much larger event than I'd imagined, it's heartening to see so many people supporting these unfortunate doggies.



There was even a doggy tombola. Archie had a go and won a packet of treats.


Then he had a go on the doggy bran tub and won a bag of marrowbones, they're his favourites so he just couldn't wait to have one.


There was also a fun dog show. Archie didn't enter but we met up with some friends who got their beautiful Staffie Cross from Dogs Trust a couple of years ago and they'd entered her.


To the side of the field where all the action was taking place is the Dogs Trust building where all the dogs are housed. There, in the car park was the refreshment stand. It was a lovely day, though a little breezy, so people were picnicking on the lawn.




The mobile microchipping van was parked outside offering free microchipping. Better to be safe than sorry. It looked like there were plenty of people taking up the offer.


Archie wasn't allowed inside the building to see the dogs so Mick stayed outside with him, but Eleanor and I went in to meet some of the beautiful residents.

This is Jake, a Beagle/Labrador cross. He's a beautiful boy, such a shame that he's been at the Dogs Trust for a long time now.



Winnie's an old girl who just wants someone to love her. She's such a cutie.


If you're interested in giving a dog a home, do check out the Dogs Trust website where you can find the details of some of the dogs who are waiting for a new owner to come and find them. If you're not in the position to offer a home to one of these beautiful doggies, you can still sponser one, in fact, Jake is one of the dogs you're able to sponsor. Again, details are on the website.

Just a few of the success stories.


One of the attractions of the open day was having a portrait of your dog drawn. Well, we couldn't resist. Archie sat as good as gold modelling for the artist.


The finished result. Not bad to say it only took ten minutes.


It was a lovely day out and great to know that all the money raised was going to help this charity which does such wonderful work to help dogs all over the country.

30 comments:

  1. Awww, I wouldn't be allowed to go (already being owned by four dogs) We have a Beagle and I must say he is the gentlest dog I have ever met, he has to be kept on a lead at all times as his nose switches on and his brain switches off but in the house he's a real snoozer.

    We call him Lego as he bricked it at everything when we got him, Beagles are so notorious as being gentle that's why they test makeup on them. Poor souls.

    Seems I can't even read about dogs needing homes as I'm half way in the car to fetch one lol (or I would be if it didn't mean divorce)

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    1. It's so hard seeing them there waiting for a home and turning and walking away, isn't it? I have to say that Beagles are one of my favourite breeds, we thought of getting one when we got Archie but it was because of the reason why you keep Lego on his lead why we didn't. We'd had dogs as children but not since, so we thought it best that we didn't get such a strong willed dog who would run rings round us. I think once you have a dog, it's very easy to get another and another, I have to remain firm as we've only really got room for one, but it does test my resolve.

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  2. Archie did very well with his prizes!! Definitely a worthwhile event. xx

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    1. Archie was very pleased with his prizes, he couldn't believe his luck being given treats whilst we were out. It was a worthwhile event, I do hope they made lots of money.

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  3. What a lovely post about such a good cause. It's good to see that you enjoyed yourselves including Archie. Flighty xx

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    1. It's win win when eveyone has such a great time whilst raising money for such a great cause.

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  4. Awww, what a great day! My Mum supports the charity and gets regular reports about the dog she has 'adopted'. Almost all of our dogs that we've ever had (and most of the cats, too) were rescues, including our two cats and Mum's dog. It's such a worthwhile thing to do and means that you really feel like you're giving a dog or a cat a happy home for life, whatever their beginning might have been.

    Best wishes,
    Tash from vintagepretty.org

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    1. I think the adoption scheme is such a great idea. Not everyone can give a home to a dog, but if you can spare a pound a week, you can adopt one and get updates about it whilst helping the charity to finance the valuable work they do. It's so sad how so many animals have such a bad start in life, they deserve some happiness and a loving family.

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    2. Sounds like a very worth while event. We're cat people, but we always get our cats from a local shelter. Our Miss Kitty had spent 6 months in a cage there before we adopted her.

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    3. It's so sad that animals are waiting in cages for people to adopt them, every animal deserves a good life. We used to have a cat, we'd have had another after he died but Daniel developed an allergy and they now bring on an asthma attack. We're big cat lovers as well as dog lovers though.

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  5. Mr AJ won't have anything wild in the house, and counts dogs as the wildest of wild things, so no dogs at home for us. But I should go and see our local Dog's Trust to adopt a doggy. Eldest Son, David is desperate for one, a golden labrador called Lance.

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    1. That's a shame, but I do respect his decision. Some people just aren't dog people, but if they stuck to their instincs, there wouldn't be as many animals in shelters as there are. So many people get animals without thinking it through properly and when it comes to it and they've taken on an animal, they then decide it isn't for them. You really have to think it through carefully before you take on an animal as they live for many years and they're a big responsibility. Eleanor nagged for a dog for many years, but it was only when I stopped working that I decided the time was right for us. I only worked part time but I wouldn't have wanted to leave a dog even for those hours. Archie stops us doing some things, there's many places where dogs aren't allowed, but I was prepared for that having gone through every consideration when thinking about getting a dog. Sponsoring a dog is a great idea if a dog isn't for you, none of the responsibility but you get lots of updates about him. Golden Labradors are beautiful, there's one down the road from us who didn't make it as a guide dog and she's gorgeous.

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  6. That looks like it was a fantastic day! Your dog is so gorgeous!
    Tammy x

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    1. It was a good day out, they catered for humans and dogs alike. I think Archie's gorgeous too, though I'm biased.

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  7. Archie looks quite dapper in his yellow bow. I hope they made lots of money. :o)

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    1. Now dapper, that's a word he'll be happy with rather than pretty. I'm sure they'll have raised a good amount, the event was very well attended.

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  8. What a great day and may I ask if it's in Yorkshire. I think maybe that is where my niece got her two dogs. I'll have to ask her next time I talk to her. I think most of those places do a great job and I know they try so hard to re-home the canines. Thanks for the insight into some of the events and places around you Jo. Take care.

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    1. It's on the A64 York Road, not far from Seacroft. I like to support events such as this, as you say, they work so hard to give dogs a better life, a very worthwhile charity.

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  9. We know the A64 well. Jon oftens travels to Leeds as he does work for William Cook foundary - we must meet up for a cuppa eh? Could meet up half way Jo. let me know xxx

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    1. That would be lovely. You'll have to let me know when he's coming this way again.

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    1. I do hope that some people who attended were there to see the dogs rather than just have a nice day out and that some of those lovely doggies have got new homes.

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  11. What a nice event for an excellent cause. Archie looks like he had an exciting day out. I think microchipping is a great idea. Our dog passed away a couple of years ago but we had him microchipped when it first became popular and I always felt it was a good decision. Some places even require it now.

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    1. We had Archie microchipped as soon as we got him, I can't understand why anyone would chance it when it's very cheap to get done or even free if you come across an event such as this. I believe it's going to become law for every dog to be microchipped in England in 2016.

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  12. This is a great cause Jo, I really hope they got to raise lots of money. It did look like there were lots of people there! My in laws foster dogs until they find a home, they have five dogs of their own but take in more! The last one stayed with them for 8 months but nobody wanted him, he is the cutest thing! They have decided now that they want to keep him, they just cannot let him go. So, that makes six dogs!

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    1. That's the problem with fostering dogs I suppose, you'd get to love them and then wouldn't want to let them go, I'd be just the same. It's so sad how some dogs just aren't wanted, I'm glad that your in laws have given a home to one such dog, bless. I bet they're house is busy though with six dogs.

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  13. Looks like a good day, thats great that they were microchipping for free on the day. We have both of ours microchipped. I hope some of the dogs there have gotten a new home, its so sad what happens to some. We had a dog years ago in the States, she was found in a box along with other puppies on the side of the road and then taken to a shelter. The mind boggles how someone could do that. Archie looks happy and loved! :)

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    1. Dogs Trust are offering free microchipping at many events which is great news for anyone wanting to get their dog done, though I don't think it was very expensive anyway when we got Archie done. It's so sad when puppies are found abandoned, it's not the best start in life for them even if they end up in a loving home, I don't know how anyone could be so cruel. I do hope that some of these dogs have got new homes, they make such wonderful companions.

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  14. I've just caught up with all your recent posts. Wish I could say the same for the holiday washing and ironing! I'm getting there slowly.
    Trebarwith sands looks like a real find, well done for venturing into the cave, not sure I would have been ale to do that.
    What a beautiful post you did about your sister. Your love for her shone out in every word.
    Well done on your challenges, it's really good going that you got the knitting done seeing as you were on hols this month too.
    What a great day out at the Dogs Trust you had, especially Archie with his prices. I used to sponsor a dog before we had children and then I was notified that he has passed away and this co-incided with when my wages went down dramatically it was one thing which I had to cut back on, it's only a small amount but with not working for a while I had to be very careful!
    I agree with what you said about the Call the Midwife books, the series have been very true to them. What will happen now though?!
    Lisa x

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    1. You've had a bit of a reading marathon there catching up with all the posts. I know what the washing and ironing pile is like when you get home from holiday, I was just glad that we had some good weather when we got home so that I could dry it all on the line. Bless your sponsor dog passing away, how sad that some of them stay in rescues all their life and never find a home. I'm looking forward to Call The Midwife returning, it will be very interesting to see the direction it will take now that they're no longer following the stories in the books.

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