Pawsitively Amazing’ As Care Homes Stage Charity Dog Shows
Prize pooches have gone on parade to delight care home residents across the south and help raise money for charity.
Three Colten Care homes have staged friendly summer competitions as fun experiences for residents and families, benefiting good causes in the process, both human and canine.
At Amberwood House in Ferndown, Dorset, more than a dozen dogs entertained around 50 people with their personalities, agility and costumes.
Staff and residents’ families were invited to bring their pets along to enter any or all of ten categories such as ‘Best Dressed’ and ‘Best in Show’.
Resident and dog lover Inge Liell, one of the show judges, said:“It was absolutely wonderful, a great day.”
Amberwood House Companionship Team Leader Kirsty Richmond Cole said:
“This was such a happy, family-friendly occasion with laughter and smiles all round.
“Many of our residents love dogs and our fantastic competition showed just why. Dogs really help to bring joy and company to people.
“Thirteen adorable doggies turned up with their owners to wow the judges. It was a ‘pawsitively amazing’ day.”
Inge was joined on the judging panel by fellow Amberwood House resident Irene Walton, Colten Care’s Chief Operating Officer Elaine Farrer and Steve Taylor, Director of Facilities.
Amid much laughter, they watched an egg and spoon race in which owners had to run round a circuit without dropping their egg and while keeping their dog on the lead as they went.
Judges declared a draw in the ‘Best Dressed’ category, the most popular class. Joint winners were ‘lion’ Roly, owned by a resident’s son, Hayden O’Neill, and ‘superhero’ Bertie, owned by the family of resident Pat Fisher.
Bertie went on to have a further triumph, being crowned ‘Best in Show’.
As well as entry fees, funds were raised through the sale of dog bandanas and treat jars prepared by Amberwood House residents.
The event raised more than £120 for Ferndown Rotary, Amberwood House’s charity of the year.
Other Colten Care homes staging charity dog shows this summer include Wellington Grange in Chichester and Lymington home Belmore Lodge.
The chosen charity for Belmore Lodge, the Dogs Trust, received a donation of more than £280 after the show there which featured an agility course and prize categories such as ‘Dog with the Waggiest Tail’ and ‘Dog with the Best Coat’.
Belmore Lodge resident Louisa MacIntyre said: “I watched the whole event and loved every minute. The icing on the cake was that my friend’s dog Bubbles won Best in Show.”
