14th November

Sorry Alison,

I was so tired after Discover Dogs that I fell asleep and ended up with Domino's Pizza, then promptly fell off to sleep again!!!!!
Admission for dogs and handlers this year was via a side door, apprehension creeps in as you join the queue, hoping that the dogs are going to be good. Phew! No need to worry. It was busy with dogs coming from all angles but everything was fine. We arrived at the stand to see Alison deep in conversation with a lady, Sally with Boycie on her lap in the pen and Simon intently looking on. John and Gwen were talking to people and Sandy at the ready with her camera. There was a lady (sorry cannot remember her name) who works at John and Gwen's kennels handing out leaflets to all those who passed and Marsha with her daughter, she had re homed three rescue staffies two of which were from John. It is at events like this that you meet people that are of like minds all pulling together for our special breed.
As it was change over we do not get the chance to catch up so with a brief hello it was time for Alison and co to leave but Sandy who against my standard of photography is a marvel took some photos. Thank you Sandi.
Daisy and Honey settled quickly, Stuart stood with Daisy outside the pen and I had Honey inside the pen sitting on my lap doing her meerkat impressions, which never fails to draw the crowds especially children which Honey adores.
This year the vibes were very much pro Stafford's, parents were not rushing their children pass but took the time to stop and stroke the dogs.

One lady had happily spent £70 on treats and a new bed that is off of the ground to help prevent her dog from smelling for her staffie x. Many owned staffies producing their mobile phones with photos of their dog. One lady had recently lost her staffie and was looking for another one but wanted to re home from a rescue close to where she lived. The consensus was, as we all know it's not the dog it is what is hold the other end of the lead!
One couple who own 3 gun dogs but also would love to have a staffie talked about the problem with staffords, they live in South Norwood, London. I happen to know this area as Blaze who is now happily re homed with Luci came from there. It transpires that dog fighting in South Norwood Country Park is rife.
An American lady who now lives in England, owned and bred Pit Bulls when she lived in Manhattan said that they are lovely dogs but again it is down to the owners. She did remark looking at Daisy and Honey, Staffords are far smaller than Pit Bulls, so buyers beware of those remarks 'long legged'.

It was a rewarding and worthwhile day and if you had time to wander there was everything you could imagine to buy your canine friend and come home with an empty wallet or purse. Or better still the chance to re home that special dog!!!!!!