This year we, Denise and Robert, resolutely planned to hold the show on the same weekend as previous years despite a clash with a major national dog show in the Midlands.

The Thorpeness Sports and Social Club sports field was our venue with the beautiful backdrop of the House in the Clouds (used for many plays and films.) There is always plenty of parking near and round the ring.

The days immediately preceding 14th had abysmal weather. Fortunately our luck stayed with us and Sunday provided a bright day, cooling off later. Owners and dogs enjoyed themselves all day.

We received an excellent turn out with entry numbers challenging previous records. Our homemade refreshments provided a good selection, of rolls, sandwiches, and cakes that were very well received. The raffle was huge with prizes donated by businesses, including Seapets of Martlesham who help us every year, and private people. The Tombola was so popular that the prizes were all won well before the end of the show, so we had to add some more.

The judges were Mr Mike Harris (Springer Spaniels), who judged most of the classes including Best in Show, and Mrs Carol Newton (Bedlington Terriers) who very kindly came at the last moment and judged the Adult Handling and two Junior Handling classes. There were 17 classes, including one called Happy Families, where you can enter any number of dogs from the same household handled by the owner. Don't let us forget the oldies, there was a Veteran class for dogs over 7 years of age! Many owners went home sporting rosettes to remind them of the fun they had had.

The winners of the Junior Handling classes won large dog bowls kindly presented by Chudley's and the best Junior Handler and Reserve Best Junior Handler won a 3kg sack each of Chudley's dog food.

Pedigree Petfoods donated prizes for the Best in Show, Reserve Best in Show, Best Puppy in Show, Best Veteran and Best Novelty in Show. Every entry was presented with a sample bag of dog food from James Wellbeloved. Other class winners won prizes donated by Nutrience, there were plenty of special prizes and cups to be won.

Our Best In Show was a Lhasa Apso owned by Gail Free of Theberton, Suffolk.

Different businesses, friends, Boxer owners and Kennel owners of other breeds sponsored all our beautiful rosettes. We are very grateful to them for this.

We would like to thank all our helpers on the day. Without them things would not have run so smoothly.

Our final total realised from the show in support of Boxer Rescue was £717.37 topping last years by more than £70.

It is so lovely to see people enjoying themselves each year, some people we only see once a year at the show and it is interesting to see all the new and old dogs. Why don't you come along with your dog and join in the fun - anyone can come even if you don't have a dog!

A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY: SUNDAY 13 May 2007 is the date to remember if you own a dog or not and would like to enjoy a family day out at Thorpeness next year. Further Details here. If you can offer us a prize for the raffle or any sort of sponsorship for next year we will be most grateful.

Denise Vanston
Vandenrob Boxers Tel: 01728 603386.