Pictures: Canine Capers in Lurgashall

The word was out in the canine community, as dogs from across the area brought their owners along for an afternoon of canine frivolity.

Wagging tails were the order of the day for the fun event.

At the agility ring, dogs could test their dexterity on a variety of hurdles and tunnels, and if any dogs preferred to stay outside the tunnel, their human owners were invited to go through instead.

Dogs also demonstrated their skill in the scurry ring before stopping to pose for a photograph taken by Liz Andreozzi from Farm on a Card.

Jacquie Lawson, the brains behind the show, packed 50 dog-centric prizes for the tombola, but suffered a ‘minor panic’ when she came downstairs on the morning of the event to find her dogs had eaten 11 of the prizes.

Luckily there were reserves.

Andy Sims from the charity Canine Partners led a demonstration of a day in the life of a Canine Partners dog, while Fernhurst Scouts provided burgers and hot dogs for hungry humans.

There were also the novelty classes, judged by Judith Turner who did so with a delightfully deft touch, providing helpful advice to dog handlers based on the wealth of her knowledge and experience.

Winners from the various classes included: prettiest bitch, Ruby owned by Louise; handsomest dog, Hamlet owned by Ian; dog in the best condition, Twig owned by Vince; dog most like its owner, Moms owned by Nicholas; best junior handler, Tom owned by Laura; dog the judge would most like to take home, Olive owned by Lyn.

Two sessions of Musical Mats were won by Inca owned by Tessa and Scrumpy owned by Hamish.

Early indications show Canine Capers raised about £500 which will be used to maintain the field.

The organisers said they were ‘grateful to the many helpers who turned up to make this event possible, and for all those who came along for leaving the field so tidy afterwards.’

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