COMPETITION TIME: WIN TICKETS TO DISCOVER DOGS 2016!

Back in its 21st year, London's biggest dog show is taking to the halls of ExCeL London on 22nd and 23rd October 2016 and YOU could be winning your way through the doors.

That's right- I am giving away a pair of tickets to Discover Dogs 2016 and they could be yours!

To be in with a chance of winning the tickets, all you need to do is answer the following question correctly:

The largest youth organisation for dog activities in the UK has its own area at Discover Dogs, but what is the organisation's name?

A) Young Kennel Club

B) Young Dog Lovers

C) The Youth Handlers' Organisation

Simply, email the correct answer along with your name and address to jasperthedoggie@hotmail.co.uk and you could be at Discover Dogs 2016!
If you're struggling with the answer, check out this blog post for a hint...

Alternatively, use the contact form on the right-side of the blog.


Closing date: Friday 7th October 

Good luck!

Talk soon, Jasper x

Of course, if you can't wait to get your tickets,or luck out in this competition, visit this webpage to purchase tickets to Discover Dogs.
For more information on the dog show, visit http://www.discoverdogs.org.uk/
And, remember, under 12s get free entry!

DISCOVER DOGS IS BACK!

One of the best weekends of the canine calendar is approaching...

Discover Dogs is back!

Mary Ray at Discover Dogs 2015

In its 21st year, London's biggest dog show is taking to ExCeL London on 22nd and 23rd October 2016 for two days of doggie madness. More than 3,000 dogs will be entering the halls to compete in a variety of competitions, participate in displays or to represent their breed as one of the 200 certified by the Kennel Club in the 'Discover Dogs' section. Make sure you visit the English Springers!

The show offers a number of spectacles across the weekend. On Saturday 22nd alone, there are three whole hours of glorious doggie display teams, from the Staffordshire Bull Terrier team to my ultimate favourites the gorgeous Southern Golden Retrievers and even the queen of Heelwork to Music, Mary Ray, shows exactly how dog dancing is done.

Fast-paced agility and flyball competitions are also taking place on both days of the dog show in the Main Ring, alongside many other exhilarating sports. The Kennel Club's youth organisation, the Young Kennel Club, will also have its own zone, with competitions for the next top dog handlers!

Additionally, there are shops everywhere for getting Christmas gifts for both dogs and humans-  though, of course, you could always just treat yourself (like my humans do every year!).

My humans and I simply cannot wait for Eukanuba Discover Dogs; one of my humans is even travelling four hours south for the show! We look forward to seeing you there!

To read about my trip to last year's Discover Dogs, click here

Talk soon, Jasper x

To purchase tickets to the show, click here and, remember, under 12s get free entry!

For more details about Discover Dogs, visit http://discoverdogs.org.uk/

EXCITING NEWS: I will be running a competition for a pair of tickets to Eukanuba Discover Dogs very soon... Keep checking the blog to find out more!

The Dog (and Cat) Capital of the World

This summer, my humans have been neglecting their duties of devoting every day, every minute, every second to my care. They went travelling- without me.

Meanwhile, I spent three weeks at other humans' properties. Don't get me wrong, I love these other humans (I get to sleep in human beds there... Of course I love it) but, frankly, what holiday is complete without a dog?
I can confirm however that they missed me a lot and I'm promised a whole family holiday next year. 

Whilst I was (and still am) upset about being left behind in Britain, there was a controversial observation made about one of their destinations...

One human returned home to the statement that "Ljubljana is the dog capital of the world". Er, big statement, considering I live in London. Apparently, Slovenia's capital city was swarming with groups of dogs in the parks, beside the canals and right in the centre. That said, in a place full of my fellow canines, I was distraught to hear that my human who visited Ljubljana committed the sin of all sins. Rule No.1 of dog ownership is that you never, ever mix with the arch-enemy- the feline. I may condone the odd glance at a cat if there is a look of disgust alongside it but no more.

My human only went and visited a cat cafe.

My human supported a business that revolves around cats.
The horror.

This cat cafe was home to eight felines, ranging from malicious Maine Coons to devilish Devon Rexes. My human's words: "It was the highlight of my time in Ljubljana."
I was lost for words.

I am relieved to say though that, despite the temptations that Ljubljana provided, my humans have returned with no new cats or dogs. Hallelujah.

Talk soon, Jasper x

If the idea of a cat cafe intrigues you, more details of the place one of my humans visited is here http://catcaffeljubljana.com/

There are even individual cat profiles on the webpage!

Uh Oh, Not There Again...

I woke up, anticipating another day of summer fun. Humum took me out to the big park; I dived in mud everywhere and it was brilliant. Got home, had my paws cleaned and dried and then I was all good for a snuggle on the sofa. Everything was going great.

After having a chill on the couch (walks are tiring, ya know), one of my humans declared that it was time for a trip in the car. Yipppppeeeeee! I love the car. Obviously, I had to show my enthusiasm so ran laps and more laps around the dining table- no backing out now humans. The front door was opened and I bolted it out straight to the car. I hopped into the crate and made sure I was comfy; gave the blanket a good beating and tugging to make sure it was right where I wanted it to be. The engine rumbled and we were off- but where were we off to? Well, we were turning left so not off for another family visit... And left again so not a trip to the river... No no no surely not no no not the groomers no no oh no help no... My human pulled up in front of the groomers.

I hate the groomers.

The human unlocked the crate, put my lead on and haaaa you think I'm getting out the car without a struggle eh? Humans can be so silly sometimes.

Unfortunately, they did manage to lift me out of the car and put me down on the pavement, glaring upwards at the pink sign of the grooming salon. 

As my human started walking the few metres to the entrance, I jumped straight down on to the ground, hiding on the bare pavement. Okay, so that didn't really work, but I did manage to dig my paws into the path, not budging. 

Sadly, the human did manage to get me into the salon. The lady was very friendly but there's just something about getting my hair cut by someone else that gives me the heebie jeebies. Despite saving my best puppy eyes for the last moment, my human bid me farewell and promised she'd be back super soon. 

Two hours later and, boy, was I looking handsome. When my human returned, I trotted out with a rapidly wagging tail- I admit, the groomers wasn't quite as bad as I had expected. I was looking even more gorgeous and feeling a good few kilograms lighter thanks to the clippers.

Of course, no trip to the hairdressers is without a photoshoot to prove it so here's the new me...

Yes, the groomers did keep the mop on the top of my head...

 It is now written in their files to only give it a trim.

Talk soon, Jasper x

A Busy Few Weeks

As always, spring has been a busy one in my household. Of course, we've had many, many walks out amongst the blossom but the past few months have been particularly chaotic.

I've moved back home!

As you may recall, at the beginning of the year, my humans and I packed up the house to move across the town for a few months while our house was torn apart.

We have finally return and, although 

the house we're in now has about 1/16th of the garden in the other one, it truly does feel good to be home. I had certainly missed the park we'd always walked to and the neighbours who I could reply upon giving me lots and lots of snuggles (who can blame them) but apparently my humans had missed something quite different. Or, someone, in fact.

My humans had missed the local cat. My faith in the humans diminished the very second we walked into that house and they ran up to the window to see if Meow Meow was still there.

The first day was all good as, fortunately, Meow Meow was nowhere to be seen.

The second day was also marvellous as, although the neighbour's cat Yasha came prowling, he doesn't claim my land like Meow Meow does.

The third day... Dooms Day.

Halfway through the afternoon, the words I'd dreaded to hear soar through the building as one the humans yelled "MEOW MEOW'S BACK!"

Those three words alone were enough for me to make a run for the human's bed upstairs, which I tend to scratch my back on in revenge for any inattentive behaviour shown by the humans towards me.

Considering the fact that Meow Meow made his return at the beginning of the month, one would assume that there would be cat problems no longer.

Abominably, this is not the case. Meow Meow is still very much an intruder of my territory. Much to my humans' dismay, the cat has decided that sleeping on the cold, wet grass is better than returning home and so today, regardless of the unbelievable level of rain, I've had to put up wth my humans wishing Meow Meow to head indoors. 

The only thing they've done that brought me an inch of pleasure is the fact that Meow Meow continues to be forbidden from MY house. After all, a prince must have at least some restrictions to honour his peace and position.

Nevertheless, I shall continue to fight against these cat intruders and reclaim what is rightfully mine.

What an eventful few months.

Six Year Anniversary- and a Trip to the Vets...

On this day, six years ago, I was picked up by one of the humans from my home at the time to start the next phase of my life... And what a six years it has been!

I still see my lovely old humans and really appreciate the wonderful first four-and-a-half years they gave me.

The first day with my current humans was spent playing fetch in the garden for two hours non-stop and then howling during the night. To say my humans were a bit tired would be an understatement... But it was so worth it!

To celebrate my Six Year Anniversary, my humans took me to, er, the vets. Yes, I know, not exactly the party I had been hoping for- but guess who has finally got microchipped..! Yes, it did take the humans 72 months to organise (a fact that they are not proud of)... 

As you may know, on 6th April 2016, all doggies in the UK must be microchipped under a new law. Although it did take us quite a while to get around to doing, this move is one that my humans and I strongly support, as it never nice when a beloved pet goes missing. Between 2009 and 2014, the number of reported cases of dog theft quadrupled in the UK- a truly shocking statistic. So, to all you UK doggies out there- remind your humans to book you in for the chip if you haven't already got one!

So, now, I'm going to have snuggles with the humans. Apparently, I was super well-behaved at the vets so I'm expecting plenty of treats too! 

Talk soon, Jasper x

Happy Easter!

To me and my humans, Easter Sunday is a day to spend time with family and eat lots- and that is exactly what we did.

This morning, one of my humans took me out on a walk to the big park. This was no different from any other day- until the sky clouded over, less than two minutes after leaving our warm home.

It rained.

And rained some more.

And a bit more.

And then thunder and lightning broke out and the rain continued to pour torrentially.

Admittedly, I am a big fan of rain (a shower of rain is pretty much the same as a swim, yes?) but this downpour was unbelievable. 

Despite the rain, in true dog owner-fashion, my human and I strolled on through, finally returning home completely and utterly drenched.

Now, that's my kinda walk!

 

Following a blow dry from the hairdryer, we all set off to visit family for one delicious Sunday lunch. Sadly, no leftovers for me but I did have some human food later on as it wouldn't be a true Easter if us doggies weren't allowed a bit of lunch...!

The rest of the day consisted of snuggles, snuggles and more snuggles, with the odd head scratch in between. 

As I write this, I'm chilling on the sofa, right next to my humum.

Food, snuggles and rainstorms- that is one good Easter if you ask me! And my humans successfully kept their chocolate away from me- result.

I hope you are all enjoying this four-day weekend!

Talk soon, Jasper x