Gallery: April 2009 Ampthill Dog Show
Report by Liz Goodyear, Cat Section Team Leader
This was definitely a 'suck it and see day'. Philippa was contacted and asked whether RATS would like to have a stall at the above. It coincided with our open day at Cotton End, but we decided that it does get our name before more people and also there was a chance of extra income if we went along to the show.
So Sunday morning - up at 5.00 and walk my two dogs at 6.00. We also walk dogs for two elderly ladies, so after a quick coffee and slice of toast picked these up at 8.00 and went for another hour (should be fit and slim, but unfortunately do not seem to be either!!!).
In the mean time Philippa and Steve had gone to Ampthill to erect the gazebo and tables etc. - they could get on site just before 9.00.
I arrived at about 9.45 (when most of the hard work had been done I hasten to add, but then my daughter does say that I am useless at co-ordinating tents, so I will go along with that!!).
................Our Stall ...............
Helen had made a load of dog bandana's (I think you can see a picture of one satisfied customer who looked absolutely stunning in hers!!), we also took the dog breed calendars, our 'win a prize everytime' soft toy tombola and some of our nic-nacs.
Anyone for a Dog Bandana?
Although quite a keen breeze and quite chilly in the shade, it was actually a very nice day. Lots of people attended and as usual there were many, many different dog breeds, which is nice to see.
There were various stalls selling pet items - we bought our dog a new dead pheasant (of the hand-made variety I hasten to add) as this is her favourite toy and we had bought her one last year at Ashwell Show. It has been sewn up many, many times, so a new addition will not go amiss. It's name is Donald (I know sad really Donald Pheasant!!)
Julia Boness vets were there with some of their nurses to answer questions - a mobile fish and chip van (who did a roaring trade) and the ice cream van arrived early afternoon. I did join the long queue to get us one (as Philippa said it was my turn!!) and said you are doing really well. He informed me that he had forgotten about the event and had been at Luton when he got the phone call saying are you coming or not. I am sure it was well worth his while.
One of the more interesting attractions was the Wormwood Scrubs drug dogs (two of them actually live in Sandy so they are quite local). They did a short display on how the dogs detect drugs on people - 15 volunteers from audience, one with drugs (well I think just tissue that had been round drugs, bit of a shame really) and they detected this after searching the 'innocents'. They stayed all afternoon answering questions etc.
Paul Bridgemen, one of the drug dog handlers has agreed to come along, with one of his colleagues, to our dog shows later in the year, so that should be good.
We sold all the small size bandanas, quite a few calendars and lots of soft toys, plus other items and took a total of £106. So all in all a successful afternoon.
The organisers were extremely pleased with how popular the show was and I am sure it will be repeated next year, when hopefully we shall again attend.
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