140 Years of the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home

It's not every day your favourite rehoming centre turns 140! Be warned, the post ahead is full of cake, ribbons and much gushing of doggos.

Still here? Well, buckle in.

I have a lot to thank EDCH for. Firstly, my childhood dog was born there and Cindy gave me 14 years of unconditional love. And then Missy came along in 2014, the rottie that shrunk in the wash, sad and unable to cope with the stresses of kennel life.

I have explained before how she chose us, and I have honestly thought back to that day a hundred times and counted myself lucky that Missy came home with us.

But nonetheless, Sunday was the EDCH open day and 140th birthday. There was all the usual things for an open day: competitions, stalls, an education zone, a kids area and plenty of food. What was nice was that the competitions were grouped into blocks, so there was time in between to look about.

After Waggiest Tail everyone was asked for a moment and thanks were said, to the trust, the volunteers and the community there supporting and helping to fundraise. The biggest dog friendly cake I have ever seen was then carried out and a happy birthday was sung by all.

A small fleet of dogs followed said cake for a slice, including Missy who put every gram of her 20kg of muscle into dragging me along behind it.

Missy did indeed get a slice. But only after many comments were made on her neatly tucked sit and very hard stare - I confirmed that such a tactic was a regular occurrence, and Missy truly was the master of it.

The slice barely lasted 10 seconds!

Missy's competitions were in the middle slot (golden oldie and best rescue) before her strongest category at the end (fancy dress). Missy sidled up to the judge and snuggled in for a wee cuddle, giving her saddest eyes and a tiny tail wag. 

Which was how we placed 2nd in best rescue. No sob story, no promoting her charity work, just a brief and well meaning cuddle. Which, hard stare aside, is really what she does best.

It was at this moment I realised that the ribbons were dated for 140 years - certainly one to go alongside the collection of special ribbons she's won.

We did another lap about the place and, truthfully, I was getting cold, and was considering skipping on fancy dress. I could hear her fan club in Manchester on the wind - but it's the last go as a Viking, with her little authentic shield and most inauthentic hat. I fetched a hot chocolate, found a spot out the wind to people watch and Missy had a nap to get herself ready for the final competition of the year.

And she nailed it. Granted, there wasn't a lot of competition (fancy dress is like that, it's either ridiculously popular or not very many are sporting), but I heard a distant cry behind me of;

"A viking?! That's so cool!" From a lovely lady who turned out to be the representative from Mercat tours, so someone who knows a thing or two about what's cool.

The judges gave Missy a pat and praise prior to officially judging "all the years we've done this, I've never seen a viking!" And myself and Mercat exchanged pleasantries.

Realising that dog number 1 was going for the sob story, (that's cheating!) Mercat laughed and then explained how her greyhound had been on deaths door 6 months ago. (Got to play them at thier game!).

Then came Missy. Why a viking?

So why not tell the truth. My sister does viking reenactment and Missy is the unofficial mascot of her group. They even gifted her the shield, which although tiny, is historically accurate.

Which is how we took home a first place ribbon.

I'm actually rather sad to be retiring the viking costume this year (from the competition circuit, she'll wear it again at an event or two) it has definitely been the most "wow" provoking one I've made.

What shall we do next year? A dragon? A Jacobite?

Regards really, I'm just thankful that we were able to have fun and celebrate 140 years of the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home - I hope they stay strong for many more years yet!