A Good Soaking at Cairn Terrier Fun Day – 2004

Saturday, 26^th June, 2004 was the date of the second Fun Day held to raise funds in support of the Cairn Terrier Health Watch. I thank all those who sponsored Pugwash to walk the plank and can assure them of getting full value for their money – as they will see from the photographs - now the heavy mob will now be moving in on all outstanding sponsors

We all possess different skills and gifts and my grateful thanks go those who came forward to offer their time and energy to working in some way on the day (do hope they saw some of the days’ events); to the breeders who so kindly forwarded leaflets on the event to those to whom they had sold puppies – it is from this publicity which brings the pet owners to the event and it is to them that the day is aimed. Always trying to not to name anyone specifically to avoid others being offended by not being mentioned; and so ask to be forgiven for making this exception: but to Doreen ‘Granny’ Shorter and her brother Roy, for all the good work they did in advance of the day by checking and badgering; even to roping in their Uncle Michael and Auntie Gwen to help with the teas – a big thank you.

Was the day a success? Financially, yes but figure is not yet finalised but it will be passed to the Breed Note writers, as soon as possible. For enjoyment – yes, the rain didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits; it was a day of simple pleasure of a type which can be and was, enjoyed by all.

Doreen “Granny” Shorter

. Thankfully, the weather forecasted was slightly wrong - the rain fell earlier than promised – and the car park was quickly filled and remained so, until near to the end of a very successful and rewarding day. The only events which were held inside the hall was the first, on obedience training and heel work, and the Fancy Dress Parade to save some very lovely outfits from getting wet.

Anthony Osborn being dressed for the occasion was, once again, the Master of Ceremonies; and gave a welcoming speech to open the show: Ruth Wadman-Taylor spoke on behalf of the Health Watch.


Fancy Dress Parade	Master Of Ceremonies


Captain Pugwash In Full Costume	Preparing To Feed The People

Fortunately, a gazebo was provided to protect the ones running the barbeque and the food stuff from the early rain. Also, a much larger one which provided protection for the Card Stall; the Face Painting; and the artist, who was there to do pastel drawings of dogs. Though the rain, which did fall on occasions, was so light and did not bother anyone.

Artist Working In Pastel

A New Face


Card and Notelets Stall	Changing Faces

The second event was a demonstration of Cairns doing Agility. From the photographs one can visualize just what happened when the pet owners were given the opportunity to take their dogs over the course.


What A Strange Place To Meet	Jenny You Can Lead A Horse To Water!

Before proceeding with the ‘Competition’ events, there were a few more races held on the ‘Wacky Racecourse’ and these certainly brought the people to the rails – did no one consider asking Ladbrokes to send a bookmaker to take the punters money? Julia who was in total control of the course and races certainly kept herself busy, what with organising the competitors; handing out the racing colours; starter; being the final arbitrator in disputes; to handing out the rosettes, etc. She must have been pleased with the planners (Planners! What planners?) having had a programme which enabled her to have a rest whilst, other events took place.


The Wacky Races	They’re - Away!

Apart from the 4 to 6 months Puppy Class, which only had two entries, all the other classes were well-filled with entries to enable the judges, Brenda Birch & Ruth Wadman-Taylor, to have difficulty when making their combined choice in the placing of the dogs. They could not have received the benefit which all good judges now derive from attending the approved Judging Courses and fulfilling the official requirements, demanded by the Kennel Club. For did they not over-look that the winning entrant in the class ‘Owner Most Like Their Dog’ cheated; by having the face-artist to paint their nose black and put whiskers on their face to match their dog’s. With being a ‘gentleman’ nothing, no not anything, would drag the name of Jenny Fairweather from my lips as being this exhibitor – see picture.

Amazingly one cairn who took part in the racing was blind! The only adaptation to the equipment was a noise and his owners whistling to attract him in the right direction.


Judging The Best 6 Legs	Black Nose & Whiskers

Then back to the Wacky Racecourse where they had the final novelty event before resuming the serious racing, a knockout Run & Dress competition. This was a race where two entrants had to run with their dogs to the end of the track. A pile of clothing awaited them and they had to dress the dogs with ‘tops & bottoms’, then race back to the starting post; the loser being eliminated. Not being too much of a prude, yet still retaining some old-fashion Victorian virtues, I do concede that Julia was correct in changing the rules as to allow the dogs to return without the lower portions of their body being dressed – well; we only had the venue till 6.00 p.m. that day.


Dress & Run Knockout Races	The LureTeam

Further racing between the dogs continued after this novelty race, and many of the owners were amazed that after protesting it was not for their dog; that their dog did the racing with some gusto and more than happy to do repeat runs.

Those who left before the end missed the climax to the day – the comeuppance of Captain Pugwash! Surely, he deserved severe punishment for deceiving all those many kind cairn folk who had promised donations to the Health Watch by sponsorship on his promise to walk the plank and fall into the blue stuff below. Being nothing but a scurrilous scoundrel of the worst type of pirate, no person should have believed for one moment that he would take his walk along a 15 foot, springing, plank; then falling into a pond of water. Pugwash is true only to himself, his thoughts being, “Take the suckers money; walk along a 5 foot plank; placed down upon a sheet of plastic; then run with the booty to the treasure-chest – laughing.”


Pugwash Walks The Plank	Still On The Plank

Look at the photographic evidence. After the mob learnt of his wicked ways; they had their revenge and sent Pugwash packing looking more as a ‘drowned-rat’ looking for an hole to escape in; rather than that image of a low-life pirate with a large ego, which we’ve all come to despise.

Will he have the guts to remerge from his hiding hole in the future or was that his final showing?


A Good Shot	A £1 A Bucket - Buyer

Our grateful thanks for the bags of mini dog treats as prizes to John Toomer Agriculture Ltd, Swindon.

Since thanks to all

Graham Peers

Stop Press!

Graham has just rang me after having had his abacus out.

The total collected on the day £950 which includes £150 still to collect in Sponsorship.

I’m sure you will all join me in saying “Well done & Congratulations” to Graham and his team.

Brenda

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