Best Rescue Dogs

A welcome contrast to yesterday's weather though it started cold and there was a distinct nip in the air when standing in the shade.

Basil and I started the day at Bradgate Park, where Basil had a mad run. Not many deer around at the Cropston end although we saw two stags on crags overlooking the path, a harem of does in the meadow just beyond the Deer Barn, and more up the hill towards Old John.

I need an earlier start than 7.30 to see any activity amongst the deer at the beginning of the day, and probably to go to the Newtown Linford end of the park. There may be something to see up on the hill. Who can say? I'd love to spot rutting stags. Two sessions are being offered in the Deer Sanctuary with Danny Green, well known, locally based wildlife photographer, at £140 on October 9th and 30th. I think 30th might be too late. And I'm loath to part with £140.

My x-t1 is proving unreliable when it comes to securing focus. The more I use the x-t2, the more dissatisfied I get with the x-t1.

A quick turnaround at home before heading to Loughborough, where the town was hosting a dog show. Councils do make me laugh. The associated marketing company makes out that it has organised the event, when in truth, it's the local traders who have joined together to make the show happen and to raise money for College Garth Kennels in Hathern, where I found Basil four years ago. It's where the stray dogs in Charnwood are taken.

The council certainly has intervened in requiring all sorts of rules and regulations to be followed. Mind you, the public loos were open, fortunately.

Stacey, manager of College Garth had done a super job of planning and supervising the show supported by her friends the Cavner Brothers the fishmongers, and Bill Cooling, butcher, who are at the market every Thursday and Saturday.

The day seemed to be a great success. Aziz was pleased that it had brought so many people into town. Even Waterstones had a sign in the window that, 'Dogs are welcome in Waterstones with well behaved owners.'

I entered Basil into two classes - Best Rescue Dog and Most Handsome Male, but he didn't win anything. He behaved as if he found the whole occasion boring and didn't establish an empathic relationship with the judge. Larger dogs seemed to be more successful.

The photo shows most of the line up for Best Rescue Dog. Can you believe how many of these lovely dogs have had to be rescued?

We looked round the stalls and chatted to the ladies from College Garth Kennels. They remembered Basil from four years ago and remarked that he looks so well now. Basil acquired three soft toys, a travel drinking bowl, and a new soft harness.

A nice day.