Welcome to Crufts 2011 - (Part 2 of 4)

In my last posting, I introduced you to Missus' recent visit to Crufts. While she was there, she took hundreds of photos. Here are some of the best 'portrait' shots...

A Bernese Mountain Dog

A Boxer. "Oooh... me look so sad."

Irish Red and White Setter

A Polish Lowland Sheepdog

The three stooges. Bracco Italiano

The Malamutes were howling for their photos to be taken. Their wish was granted. Love 'em!

A 10-years old Great Dane. He's far too young to retire from showbiz.

An Irish Wolf Hound

A Neopolitan Mastiff. Love his wrinkly face!

A Golden Retriever

"George, this shot was taken especially for you." - A Welsh Terrier

A Staffordshire Bull Terrier

A Basset Fauve de Bretagne

A Greyhound stretching his legs.

Another Malamute.

The Otterhound - The Missus mentioned that this boot-ful breed is almost dying out.

A Rhodesian Ridgeback

An Italiano Spinone

Yet another Malamute.

Another Italiano Spinone.

Hope you enjoyed the photos. More Crufts to follow...

Welcome to Crufts 2011 - (Part 1 of 4)

Yes, the Missus went to Crufts; yes, this was her third time attending the world's biggest dog show (check out my previous posts here and here) and yes, as usual, she went without me! 'Sob'...

Despite the fact that Missus only went for two out of the four days of the show, she managed to take hundreds of photos. So, I think I'm going to have to spread the pictures over a couple of posts. 

Here we go...

Welcome to Crufts!

An advertisement for the biggest show in 'Dogdom'. The event was held over 4 days and there were over 28,000 dogs participating. It was such a huge event - man, we are talking about the size of at least five football fields!

"Here they come - the booti-ful ones" (and their humans)...

The first day of the show was dedicated to the Gundogs. Naturally, the Missus' first instinct was to check out the Golden Retrievers...

These Goldies were clamouring for attention.

So many of me, me, me and me in the show ring!

"Give me the treat and I'll stack nicely for you!"

Goldies in line.

This handsome boy came fourth overall in the Gundog Group.

And, more winners.

The Missus finally stole herself away from the Golden Retrievers to go and check out some of the other breeds.

Here we have a couple of Irish Red and White Setters...

...a gang of Labradors...

...and a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, looking a little lost!

Towards the end of the first day, Missus went over to the main arena for final judging on the Gundogs Group...

...which was also broadcast on this huge screen.

In contention were an Irish Red and White Setter, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a German Short-Haired Pointer, a Flat Coated Retriever (hidden behind his handler), a Golden Retriever (Yay!), a Labrador, a Novia Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, a Clumber Spaniel and a few others which didn't make it into this shot.

Everyone was chewing their nails as they waited for the moment of truth.

And, the winners lined up. The 'Best of Group' award went to a Flat Coated Retriever. Congratulations!

More Crufts to follow...

Waiting for Spring

Some of you may remember from my blogs last year (here and here) that I'm an avid gardener. So, you won't be surprised to hear how much I'm looking forward to spring when I can put my 'green paws' back to work. In fact, some of my early work is already coming to fruition...

For example, my narcissi are starting to sprout...

...and my crocuses are showing some colour.

As for my snowdrops, well, they're already in full bloom.

But, I'm still not content. I somehow need to 'spice-up' my garden a little this year.

I know, why don't I invite some of my feathered friends to come and visit me?

I set to work on 'hatching-up' a plan...

First, I needed to order some 'supplies' from the RSPB (The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds).

Here they all are unpacked. Man, I'd ordered enough to feed a flock of ostriches!

What a spread!

I had sunflower mix, birdcake, coconut treats, suet balls and plenty of different types of feeders to put them all in.

Before assembling it all, time for a snooze!

I eventually woke up and, after a few hours of assembling the stuff...

...voila! My bird feeding station was all set-up and ready to go!

Now, where the heck are all those birds? I waited patiently (for at least 20 seconds), then I had an idea...

...I decided to take matters into my own paws (or mouth).

"Here tweety-tweety-tweety. Come and get it!"

And, it worked!

First, a blue tit arrived...

...it was soon devouring my 'coconut treat'...

... and my suet balls.

Next, a great tit came along.

Then a robin 'on the wing'.

Here's the robin posing nicely.

Pretty soon, there were birds coming from everywhere to sample my delicious bird-buffet.

I was so proud of myself! I think I'm going to enjoy this spring.

Ciao for now - got to go bird-watching.