It was overcast with a distinctly autumnal nip in the air yesterday but, even so, there was a good turnout at the RSPCA's summer gala and dog show at the animal rescue centre. As you might expect, there were dogs of all types and sizes, dogs in costume, dogs so young and tiny they had to be carried, guide dogs in training, rescued dogs needing permanent homes, dogs making a return visit showing off their new owners, even a resident dog going back and forth on the little play train.
They were all so well behaved. Apart from one who made a right show of himself. One who objected to wearing his lead by continuously pulling. One who insisted on barking very loudly and incessantly from the minute he jumped out of the car. One who needed to be taken into the paddock to calm down. One who didn't calm down and couldn't enter any of the events.
I'd made cupcake 99s for the tea tent which we didn't get to try (I heard later that the Inspectors had had first dibs and bought plenty for scoffing later in the day but I did manage to score three bargainous books and a bag of homemade cherry and almond fudge) so we stopped by the river in Great Ayton village on the way home for the real thing. And a certain freshly shampooed ginger cocker spaniel spent some time in the back of the car reflecting on his behaviour.
