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But not, like, an actual fever, or new cough or any such plague related thoughts.
At last, the moment we were all waiting for, Missys most important date in the doggy year:
Dogfest North.
So, back in times of early unlock, when the thought of normality will still far from grasp,
Dog Furiendly asked for volunteers for all the Dogfests. Deprived of any semblance of freedom, I immediately volunteered for both days of Dogfest North and retrospectively checked if people would be available to see that week.
The day of Dogfest had arrived. I'd done it. Survived a week with the In laws (no hardship really, I'm quite lucky on that front!), managed to avoid concussion on the flumes (I may have belly flopped and smacked my face off one when excitedly racing the hubby, but all good, and no black eye!), Missy was devoid of injury and her arthritis was nowhere to be seen. We were ready.
A group chat had been put together for us Explorers and, being told that my job today was to get content and enjoy it, I was almost vibrating with excitement (or possibly with the lack of sleep from excitement and copious amounts of tea). Missy had her game face on and we strutted through those big gates like we owned the place.
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Until I basically fell onto every dog visible for hugs and kisses. It took an hour for hubby to gently stear me to the Dog Furiendly stand as I excitedly ran off to grab another freebie, or cuddle another dog, or take Missys picture. She was on form - I've previously mentioned that she's never forced to do anything she doesn't want to, and that includes photos. You can tell when she's excited for the training (which is how she sees photos), and when she's too tired for it.
Saying that, we did make sure she got plenty of time to rest!
After the trek to the stall, I was signed into Dog Furiendlys Instagram and told to get photos and videos and share the excitement. Which would have been easy had the 4G not died a slow and horrible death owing to all ththe people sharing photos on thier Instagrams! Still, challenge accepted.
We did the Big Dog Walk (the 2km route, Missy had a long day ahead of her), and went round pimping Dog Furiendly to anyone who asked about the tshirt I had on, and made lots of conversations with the stall holders and other dog owners.
There was really too much going on to see everything, which isn't a bad thing, really. Ironically the Manchester Police Dogs was the only thing I'd bookmarked as a must do, and it was cancelled after they were called put on a job. Best excuse really, perhaps next year!
Knowing that we were being joined with family for day 2 we didn't do the fun dog shows or have a try events. At 8, Missy needs to be made to pace herself, she hasn't quite figured out yet that she's getting old. We did however enter her in for Scruffts Golden Oldie.
For those not in the know, Scruffts is the only category in Crufts that allows mongrels to compete (outside of dance/agility etc). In order to get into the shortlist for Crufts, you have to win one of the many heats going on through the year. I didn't expect to do well, seeing as Missy is often mistaken as a younger dog, so we just entered for funzies.
So I was legitimately shocked at this:
Second! With her own legitimate kennel club ribbon!
Its getting framed, the print is already in the post.
So that wrapped up day 1. And we were all beat. Early nights all round (after Missy got a big well deserved treat, of course).
Day 2 started with an Explorer meet up. It was nice to finally meet some of the crew who I've been collaborating with over the last 2 years (I became an Explorer just before lockdown hit).
My sister and her family joined us, as did the in laws. I wasn't sure how Ruby would be, but I was mistaken in my concern, it being my FIL who was most overwhelmed at the experience.
This time we did DogFest as a more normal event - there was tombolas (my neice and nephew are clearly lucky charms, they walked away with teddies and t shirts and all sorts of things!). We also tried Loveliest Lady (a dalmatian was "spot on" and won, but I got to meet Michaela Strachan (Missy tried to sway her with cuddles, but alas, it was to no avail) so was pleased with that. My inner 10 year old was in absolute joy.
Most of the "have a go" things are too high impact for Missy these days - whilst she could have easily managed the hay bale race, I'm wanting to preserve her knees as best I can. Still, my neice took Missy round the obedience ring (we had a great deal, she gave Missy the treats and I said the commands) and Missy even walked onead for her beautifully around the last part of the ring. Missy is still learning new tricks, adapting to the neices and nephews whims as they grow.
We did try for Scruffts again (prettiest bitch) but didn't place. I was still on cloud nine from our previous success, so honestly didn't mind. A German shepherd cross won, which I had to agree was a beautiful dog, so I didn't mind.
After that, everyone was absolutely knackered. Between the shock of the crowds, the unexpectedly nice weather, the good company and being on feet all day, we said our final goodbyes and went separate ways. I would have liked to have seen more of my neice and nephew, but between our action packed week, my adopted into family and school, there really wasn't time. Hopefully I'll see them again before the year is out!
Would I Dogfest again? Absolutely!
But I need to recover from this one first!
