The Chiswick House Gardens Dog Show: Sunday 28th September 2008

Al Murray, The Pub Landlord, will be kicking off this year's Chiswick House Gardens Dog Show. The event promises to be even better than last year's, which had an estimated 800 visitors, with the introducton of new classes such as Best Six Legs and Best Trick.

Also among the new additions is a Doggy Dash Competition and the special Daschie Dash open sprint race for a certain breed (no prizes for guessing which one!). Visitors can now plan their day even more easily, by pre-registering online for classes.

The fun day has attracted a greater number of supporters than ever before, including Dogs Trust, alongside: Chiswick Pets, Southfields Grooming, Outsider Tart cakemakers, Doggy Days doggy treats bakery, Labradoodle Rescue, Hearing Dogs for the Deaf, The Mayhew Animal Home, Pet Portraits and Face-to-Face face-painters.

You can also get your pet microchipped by Hounslow Animal Service.

Add to this agility and heelwork with Capable Canines, a free dog creche from London Woof, the chance to win a year's supply of beer for coming first in Best in Show (courtesy of Fullers Brewery) and many more prizes and refreshments. In other words all the ingredients for a fab day out are in place!

Get yourself down to Chiswick House Gardens Cricket Pitch (Staveley Road entrance) from 10:30am to 3:15pm on Sunday 28th September to take part in the fun.

Dogs Trust volunteer takes to the sky(dive) to raise money

When it comes to fundraising efforts, I like to keep my feet firmly on the ground. Not so Chloe Hart, who already gives up her time to be a volunteer at Dogs Trust (click to enlarge news clipping, left). She's decided to to raise funds by jumping from a plane!

Chloe's planned skydive is on the 6th of September and her target for fundraising is a generous £500. If you'd like to donate a few pennies or watch her progress, you can visit her Just Giving page.

Chloe, much though I think you're nuts to voluntarily throw yourself from a plane I also have enormous admiration for your energetic fundraising! Good luck and enjoy the jump!

Dogs Trust Glasgow Fun Day - Sunday July 27th 2008

Lynn Knox's beloved Boxer Zimmi shows her deafness is no obstacle to fun at the 2007 event

The weather might be indecisive but the summer season is far from over for Dogs Trust. The annual Glasgow open day and Fun Dog Show is ready to entertain you on Sunday the 27th.

Activities will include:

Have a Go Agility: get in the ring and test your dog's fitness (and yours!)
Dog Dash: which is the fastest dog in Glasgow?
My Dog's Got Talent: Smarter than Kate and Gin?

...and much more. There'll also be a free PDSA doggy health check, games, charity stalls, pet care advice, arts and crafts, face painting and (you've guessed it) even more than that.

The fun kicks off at 12pm with the Long Stay Dog Parade, which gives the long-term Rehoming Centre residents a chance to show off their loving pet credentials to potential new owners. Doors close at 3:30pm, and entrance is free to the event, which takes place off-site at Tollcross Park, 254B Wellshot Road, Glasgow.

Dogs Trust Open Days in July: Newbury and Bridgend

The 6th of July is going to be a busy day for two Dogs Trust Rehoming Centres - it's the date of their annual Open Day!

Bridgend and Newbury will both be opening their doors to anyone who wants to come along and have some fun.

Newbury will be open from 12pm to 4pm with a Fun Dog Show covering 10 classes including Most Handsome and the Rogue's Gallery for rehomed Dogs Trust dogs. The Doggy Dash is also open to all and their canine compnaions. Great raffle prizes and home made sweet treats will also be on offer. Entry and car parking are free, with a £1.50 entry free for the Fun Dog Show, with judging at 1pm.

[Plumb's Farm, Hamstead Marshall, Newbury, RG20 0HR]


If you live closer to Bridgend and also want to show off your dog, then worry not, because the fun-loving staff there are also running a Fun Dog Show. With eight classes, including Waggiest Tail and Best Rehomed Rescue Dog, there are plenty of chances to get involved. If you've got a daring, active dog, you can leap into the fray with amazing agility displays. There's also a silent auction where you'll get a chance to bid for amazing prizes like a private recording session, a vineyard tour or a day's paintballing for 40 people.

Entry to the event is free, with car parking at £3 per vehicle and dog show entry at £2 per pooch. Gates are open from 11am to 4pm.

[Court Colman, Pen-y-Fai, Bridgend, CF31 4NG]


If you live locally, there's no excuse not to have a good time with Dogs Trust this Sunday! Enjoy, and do tell us if there was anything you particularly enjoyed or would like to see included in the future.