Crufts Bound for this Seaside Hound!

It's been a very exhausting but very exciting few weeks. Last weekend, I went to my first show! It was a Championship Show, so lots of Otterhounds were there, and I saw my mother, Charisma, and my sister, Florin, for the first time since I was 8 weeks old. Here I am posing with my pretty sister (she is the cute little blonde one on the right). And you can probably just see mum sleeping in the background.

I have to come clean, I didn't win, but I did qualify for Crufts. So I will be there with bells on. But my sister won best puppy and my mother, most exciting of all, won best Otterhound of all. So I am very pleased.

I think I have a little bit to learn about show ring etiquette (I do not see the point of standing up when there is perfectly soft grass to lie down on) but I was praised very highly for my good manners (judges get enormously personal when they introduce themselves to you) and for trotting out very nicely. Best of all, Leo was entered "not for competition" and got his name in the catalogue as well and also got a bench to sit in right beside me!

Here we are in our benches. Leo was wearing his cheer squad t-shirt (a picture of me, with "Finnegan for Champion" underneath!). In fact, all my friends wore t-shirts (it was a lot of fun really).

It was really exciting having our own benches. Leo got a lot of visitors (because they knew he was there from the catalogue, and everybody loves Leo!). I knew he was popular but I had no idea he had so many fans!

And Leo got to meet my little sister Florin (he's never met her before) and he was also reunited with one of his biggest Otterhound fans, Morse. Morse has quite a crush on Leo. Morse will be going to Crufts too!

Anyway, I have to get lots of practice in for Crufts, so I am going to try and get to a few shows between now and then, even though it has taken us all at least a week to get over it.

But in the meantime, I have had yet another exciting weekend this weekend. We all went to Brighton! We stayed in a wonderful dog-friendly guesthouse, called Avalon. Leo has been there before, but this was my first ime (and my first time at the sea!). I really loved it and immediately assumed my role as guardian. Someone checked in at midnight! Which I thought was quite unthinkable so I bayed at them (from my room of course). I did the same thing at the hens when they came back late (not actually chickens, just strange women with a variety of outfits comprised of pink feathers, who did seem to keep the hours that are opposite to hens, which is quite ironic). But no-one seemed to mind. And I had a lovely time at breakfast, chatting to my new friends and rolling around on the rug with Leo. We were even offered sausages by Brian as he cooked breakfast, but as I am watching my figure for Crufts, and as a man told Leo he was chubby yesterday (here's Leo poking fun at that social injustice while shopping!), we both politely declined. Being in the public eye we have to watch our appearance. Maybe next time!

Anyway, on the first day we went to a cafe called Metrodeco. It is supremely dog-friendly. It has a furniture showroom downstairs (lots of Art Deco things I'm told), and a cafe upstairs, which is where we were. There was even a bed in the corner for Leo! Here he is enjoying some toast in the furry bed.

Apparently the cakes are marvellous (although Leo and I stuck to doggy treats and a bit of toast). In particular, the reports were quite outstanding for the Bakewell tarts, so much so there was a repeat episode the following day (but more on that later ...). So it is an undeniable 5 Finnegan stamps for the outstandingly dog-friendly Metrodeco.

Anyway, on Saturday at Metrodeco we met a Jack Russell (who barked at me a lot), and another little dog, and a black lady dog, and then a little Chihuahua which I thought was simply inexplicably tiny.

He smelt like a dog, and yet his head seemed no bigger than my paw. So I lay down to play with him. Here I am playing with my new toy dog (there's more to that expression than I originally appreciated). 

Anyway, eventually I could get the grown-ups away from the reportedly delicious coffee and cakes, and we went for a spot of shopping and sightseeing.

We met a lady who was tidying up the street with a lovely broom (I love brooms!) so we stopped to chat to her so I could sniff the broom. And she chatted to us and asked what I was. She was very nice indeed.

We then we to Paw Paw UK (a pet boutique!) and Leo got lots of lovely presents (and we both got some tasty treats!). He also tried on a dinner suit and walked outside the shop to a group of ladies and did a little pirouette to lots of oohs and aahs. He is really quite a showman (I will keep a note of that in my mental preparation for Crufts ...). I got a bandanna which says "01". We asked if there was one with "02" as Leo is "01", but the man said they didn't make an "02" as they probably wouldn't sell many of those. To be fair, that probably is quite right. So I stuck with "01" (it will be aspirational! for Crufts!), and we left with all our lovely new things, and a promise to catch up again at Discover Dogs at Earls Court in November (Paw Paw UK will be there). Here I am enjoying the lush surrounds of the pet boutique.

Then we went to look at the beautiful Brighton Pavilion.

There was a wedding going on (I was told this was quite usual for the Pavilion).

The gardens were beautiful, full of flowers and smells. Leo didn't go to the Pavilion last time he was in Brighton, so he was quite keen to visit as well.

Dogs are allowed in (to the Pavilion, not sure about the wedding ... although I've seen better outfits on Leo), but not on the grass. So here we are enjoying the surrounds from the safety of the pathway.

Afterwards, we did a bit more shopping, but most importantly, we came across another doggy mecca, "Doggy Fashion" and we got some yummy treats, a floating toy for the sea, and some new dog bowls. One is a Crown and the other is a Court Jester hat. They are great, and best of all, so heavy I will stop scattering my food everywhere each time something distracts me in a middle of a snack. There was also a very lovely little miniature Schnauzer lady in there (I think you can see her doing some modelling on the Doggy Fashion website). She didn't like me at first, but it didn't take me long to work the Finnegan charm on her. Leo wasn't interested, there were open bags of doggy treats everywhere so he had other things on his mind.

After our shopping we went back to the hotel and got changed and packed a few things for the beach. This was very exciting, my first seaside!

We all went in the water, but everyone was quite a bit braver than I was. It was ok paddling, until the waves came in. They roar a little and they splash as well. So I really wasn't sure it was such a good idea.

And the water was quite astonishingly cold! Web feet and waterproof coat aside, it all seemed at best ill-advised and at worst the kind of craziness I have come to expect!

But one thing I did notice was that when the waves went out, they also came back in again. This turned out to be very handy indeed, as not once did I have to pursue the floating sea toy when it went out, because it always came back! The perfect game, all from the shore and with very little energy expended. I am growing up to be quite the practical-minded problem-solver.

The grown-ups did lots of swimming (but I promised not to document that!), but here's proof that I did at least a little bit of paddling.

And then it was time to enjoy the scenery (paddling is tiring!). And combined with the hard work of walking on all those pebbles, we were all ready for a snooze afterwards, in the fresh Brighton sea air.

Here we are lying on the beach in the sunshine, drying our curls and soaking up the Brighton vibe.

Afterwards, we wandered along the parade and looked at all the various bits and pieces, and meeting lots of new dogs. And lots and lots of seagulls. I just love things that can fly.

The next stop of importance was to be the Brighton Pier. This is world famous and I couldn't wait to see it up close. But when we got there it was "no dogs allowed". Brighton overall is very dog-friendly (cars stop for you to cross the street!), but this made me a bit sad. I was packing bags, surely I could have had a little visit? Anyway, here I am at the doorway to the forbidden city. 

I probably won't be allowed to go to Somerset House to watch the outdoor movies either, but I think I will still ask!

Anyway, we were all very salty and tired after our swims and adventures, so we went back to shower and change again and find somewhere yummy to eat. On the way, we heard a lady saying to her friend, "is that an Otterhound?" As we got closer she stopped to ask us and we said yes. She said she was very pleased to see one, and of course I was proud as punch.

We then went to a place called "Tin Drum" for dinner. We were allowed inside and we sat in a really nice booth with loads of space for Leo and me. We were both exhausted, so we slept rather soundly after our snacks.

Apparently the food was good, but not as good as Somerset Coffee House and the Marquess Tavern, but on dog-friendliness alone it was just great! The space was fantastic, the staff kept coming over to say hi and give me cuddles, and we could really stretch out in style. 

So from me, the Tin Drum gets 5 Finnegan stamps!

It was the perfect way to relax after such an exciting day.

Leo and I were quite exhausted and ready to sleep away the evening. Although I did make sure I woke to pass some barking judgments on the unruly hens.

Sunday, our last day in Brighton, we enjoyed breakfast at the Avalon. Here we are blurry with play! It's such a fun place (even if we declined the sausages!).

Then we went for another spot of fun on the beach. We went back to our favourite stretch of the dog beach, making our way over the millions and millions of pebbles (who put them all there? where is the sand?). 

When we got there I met a very fetching little redhead terrier who was quite a dynamo with a ball in the sea. I didn't dare venture in after her, but I was certainly not averse to admiring  her handiwork from the shoreline.

She was so incredibly fast, but I worked out if I stood still in the middle of her route, she would have to go past me at least twice a run.

Leo was also very brave today and paddled by himself! Without even waiting for enticement! He is such a star.

The redhead stayed for quite a while playing, chasing her ball and running so fast, so I spent quite a lot of time running around with her (or at least, watching her run fast).

And here I am having a go at impressing the little redhead with my seaside machismo.

Eventually she had to go, but we stayed and played some more before heading off to our new favourite cafe, Metrodeco, for some lunch.

Well, it was full of doggies, of all sizes - all lying around waiting for the naked bike ride (before you ask, we left before they cycled past, but I'm too young for such things ...). Here are some of my new friends!

We then had time for a final view of the sea before saying goodbye to Brian at the Avalon and heading off home to London.

I was very tired, and slept and snored most of the way, and was very pleased to hit my beanbag in front of the tele that night. But I have to say, I had a woderful time by the seaside and can't wait to go back.

Oh what a wonderful time we had, the day we went to Brighton!

Girls! Girls! Girls!

Today I went to see my vet, Steve. I'm not sick, just getting a check-up and getting weighed. I love my vet. I haven't seen him since I was 8 weeks old because I kept accidentally going in on the day he's not there. So I checked and now I know his days and ask for him especially. Steve was very pleased with how much I'd grown, and said I was very handsome and I have a lovely personality. Mostly people very rarely have both, so I am very pleased to hear this. And I am now 34.5kg! After I weighed myself, Leo (who was with me for moral support) jumped on the scales (he is so clever he weighs himself for Steve) and he is now 13.4kg (so he's lost a bit of holiday weight running away from me). Steve was so impressed we both got treats. And lots of hugs and scratches. I love my vet.

Afterwards, we went to the park. We walked down the street, my happy slobber flying in the beautiful summer breeze (it's quite a spectacular display when I shake my head). There were a lot of dogs there, including an Elkhound I last saw when I was quite little, called Brodie. I am now taller than Brodie! I also met a Newfoundland (he was taller than I am !) and played with a beautiful Miniature Schnauzer (quite a gorgeous little girl), a Golden Labrador (she was really so very pretty) and a little Spaniel (she was also very pretty and positively coquettish) and a very captivating white German Shepherd (she too was rather nice) ... I think I have discovered girls. Or they have discovered me ...

Here I am running with my new platinum blonde friend. We were so fast!

And here I am in an action shot - look at my ears! They are straight up in the air like my girlfriend's! No strings involved!

And then, completely unexpectedly, my German friend happened across us as he was walking into the office (remember, the one whose glasses I like to steal). So we chatted away and played. I didn't try to remove his glasses today, however. 

I also came across a Border Collie playing fetch ... although it was a very unfamiliar version of the game. The man threw the ball, the Border Collie ran to get it, and then stood there waiting for the man to catch up and fetch it. I thought to myself they had the game a bit wrong, so I decided I would fetch the ball and take it back to the man. Oddly enough, he seemed completely unfamiliar with this version of the game, and his utterly humourless Border Collie kept telling me off. So once again, I was retrieved. Really, someone should tell them how "fetch" is supposed to work if they want to avoid future misunderstandings with other dogs in the park.

Afterwards we all went for coffee and croissants at one of my favourite cafes. I could lie in the sun and watch all the dogs walk past and get the occasional pat from a new admirer. I do like these warm summer days!

My bark is worse than my blog

I have been having such a busy time of it, that you haven't heard from me in a while.

But enough of the pointless, incessant barking, I have had such an exciting weekend it's back to the blog!

Yesterday, we went to Canonbury Pet Store, and they weighed me. I am now 33.5kg and 25 inches tall. The lady there really likes me and always introduces me to everyone as the famous Otterhound. Leo and I got some treats too!

Then Leo and I were in the park and a bunch of girls recognised Leo and rushed over to say hello. They said they were going to get a Bedlington Terrier as well soon, because of Leo. See, everybody loves Leo!

After the park, we all went to another dog-friendly pub. This time we went to the Marquess Tavern in Canonbury Street.

This pub is owned by its patrons and we met some of the regulars while we were there. Dogs are not allowed in the restaurant (which is like a beautiful glass dome with a chandelier as well!), just the bar. But the bar is very nice and, to be perfectly frank, looking at all the wine glasses on the tables in the restaurant, I wouldn't let me in there either.

Anyway, the pub was very nice, they offered us water and Leo and I settled down with a couple of chews while the food was ordered. I did at one point do my best slapstick routine, knocking over a chair and everything on it in my haste to get to Leo. The barman joked, "that's why I have a small dog." I was a little embarrassed, so I spent the rest of the time eating my biscuits.

But Leo was very bold and lay in the walkway eating his chew and flirting with patrons. He caught the eye of one little girl who kept running back and forth from her table to give him slices of apple. He loved it! We also met Neville, who is a regular there, and he said we were both very lovely. Neville said, "it's not a real pub without a dog." And then we discussed how it is very disappointing that some pubs don't let dogs in. I really like Neville.

Neville's cat is currently in the hospital recuperating from a thyroid operation. She has been there 2 and a half weeks already, but hopefully she will be home this week. We are all sending her our best wishes.

So the Marquess Tavern is a great pub with lots of very nice regulars. One small thing (an unintended pun) was that I personally was a little bit cramped behind the table (I am quite big I suppose). But once I found a spot to stretch out in (mostly under the table) I was fairly content. I think it was more the fault of the spot we chose. Anyway, the food was apparently very good and the building is really very lovely. So I am sure we will be going back again and again, especially to ask after Neville's cat. So the Marquess Tavern gets 4.5/5 Finnegan paw stamps (the grown-ups said the food was worth 5)! I am going to go back again soon though so I can give it 5 paw stamps!

Then, on the way home, we discovered a new pet store had opened - it's called "Love Your Pets Boutique" and it's on Essex Road. The smells coming out were amazing and I just couldn't walk past, so we rushed in to where there were buckets and buckets of treats. There was also a Border Terrier in there shopping, and a Jack Russell Terrier too, and they both barked and growled at me a lot. But I just woofed and went back to the buckets. Terriers!

Leo and I got 2 big bones each, and an Ostrich pull toy, a sheep toy that baas when I squeeze it (a sheep because it reminds me of Leo, although the baa sounds more like a duck) and a bouncing heart (that barks). And we also got some seed for the birds. Here we are enjoying our big bones on the roof. They are amazing bones. We have barely made a dent in them and we've been working on them for two days!

Afterwards we played with our Ostrich toy. This was fantastic fun. It's not just a rope toy, its head squeaks as well! What an amazing toy!

Anyway, I took one end and Leo took the other, and we pulled and pulled and pulled. I'd drag Leo down one end of the room. And then I'd hop back again and he'd pull me up to the other end. And we did this over and over. It's honestly not as silly as it sounds.

But it's a toy that also has tremendous solo play value - because of the squeaking. That's probably why Leo kept taking it! Although I don't think it is quite as marvellous as the quacking sheep.

Well, I am quite a generous soul, so I let Leo play with the new Ostrich for a while. After all, he does let me sit in his favourite chair ... from time to time.

Here is Leo enjoying a moment with the Ostrich. It really is a super toy!

Today was another exciting day as well. It was my friend Sarah's birthday and we all went to the Mucky Pup (another dog-friendly pub!) for a Sunday roast. So it was another opportunity for a review.

Leo has been to the Mucky Pup lots of times (before I was even born!), but I haven't been until now. Leo acts like it is his own living room and everyone is so nice they don't seem to mind!

As soon as we arrived they brought over the water, and then everyone had a Sunday roast (vege roast too!). Leo and I had  biscuits and chews though. Here I am in the Mucky Pup, enjoying the atmosphere!

My friend Dimple came as well (remember, I met Dimple at the Dog Day Afternoon). Here he is grinning at me.

After the roast (which apparently is delicious!) we all went to the room next door to play pool.

There is a little beer garden attached to the pool room, and we wandered in and out, and sometimes (when no-one was looking) we went into the bar and said hello to everyone. The grown-ups I was with were a bit worried about this, but everyone was really nice to us and no-one seemed to mind that we had run of the place.

Here is a picture of Leo and me running interference in the pool room.

I had a simply fantastic time and so much fun. In fact, so much fun that I was exhausted when I got home. I really love the Mucky Pup and can't wait to go back there again soon.

I wish I could give 6 Finnegan stamps! But the Mucky Pup, on dog-friendliness alone, gets an overwhelming 5/5 Finnegan paw stamps!

I almost forgot - I got my first football this weekend. I keep crashing people's football games, so it seemed an inevitable next step. Leo and I will be practising all week as we're organising a match next weekend. I will let you know how it goes!

Best in Show!

Yesterday Leo and I went to the special "Dog Day Afternoon" at the Cabbages and Frocks Market at Marylebone. It was such a lot of fun as there were so many dogs there! I saw a Bichon Frise (as cute as a squeaky toy, although quite stand-offish to tell the truth) and a million Border Terriers (I kept thinking it was the same one each time), an Italian Greyhound, a Whippet, and many many more, and of course my new friend Dimple, a Pug/Pom cross.

Soon after we arrived, the newspaper came over to photograph Leo (everybody loves Leo!) and I muscled in on the photo as well. The photographer took lots of photos and our names. So I think we're going to be in the local paper!

And everyone kept asking what sort of dog I am, which was very exciting. One lady even said that seeing me had made her day. She said she had never met an Otterhound in person and had seen them only in the books, and that she had always said that if they ever got a dog she would want it to be an Otterhound. Then she said meeting me had made her decision - Otterhound it is! And then she photographed me with her daughters (I love posing).

We ate doggy treats (from the pet bakery) and got lots of presents, including a squeaky doggy toy that looks just like me.

Anyway, at the end of the day they had doggy competitions. I entered most well-behaved. We had to sit on command and lie down on command. I made it very far, lots of dogs were getting eliminated but I was still there! Then we had to do tricks. This worried me a little, but we did a trick with a treat where I had to wait with it under my nose but not eat it! It was a close-run thing but I did it! And everyone said I was very good and I made it to the semi-finals. But then a very clever Labrador Retriever did a trick where the treat was on his nose! And he threw it into the air and caught it! That was very clever, even I wanted him to win. And he did.

But the big news is that I then entered Best in Show. This was open to everyone, and there were Boston Terriers, West Highland Terriers, Yorkies, Huskies, Labradors, Bichon Frise, and many others, and even an Irish Water Spaniel (also very very rare) called Clancy. He had just been swimming that morning in Hampstead Heath. Even Leo entered. But he usually shuns such things. I'm sure he did it just to give me moral support. Anyway, we had to walk around and then walk into the centre of the ring and tell the judge our story. So when it was my turn I told the crowd that I was an Otterhound, one of the rarest of all the great British dog breeds, that I was so rare I was vulnerable and just one of 51 puppies this past year. And then I said it is my 6 month birthday on Monday.

Anyway, we then walked around for the judge to make her decision and she said "I am going to give it to the most handsome and I'm just waiting for him to walk around to the front," and then she said "I'm awarding Best in Show to the Otterhound!" I was so excited. And I got my photograph taken by the paper again. I won my first red rosette! and I got a hamper of treats and beauty products. I was so happy I couldn't stop smiling (neither could all the grown-ups with me). Here I am taking in the "sweet smell" of success!

So then we went to Regents Park to celebrate with ice creams (although for Leo and me it was the bag of carrot and apple treats we got at the Show - my favourite foods!). One lady stopped to talk to me and she said it was because she couldn't resist my happy smiling face (I was still smiling from Best in Show!). And I got to see ducks, geese, a big swan, paddle boats and all manner of marvellous things. And lots of people wanted to know what I am again. I have to say I love the attention.

Here I am looking at all the pigeons (I love it when they all fly!). I had just woofed here so that they would all start flying. Which is a bit cheeky I know. But then I can't fly and I think they know that.

But it's not just pigeons - all flying things are extremely irresistible - like flowers, tissues, dry leaves (Autumn must be fantastic! I can't wait!)

And here's one of my favourite photos from the day. I am  very clever don't you think, being able to balance this lady on my noble head! Actually, she walked into my photo to take another photo. Isn't that ironic? And that's rather a big word for such a young dog, but I am, after all, "Best in Show"!

And then we walked a bit further and there was a bridge which I walked over. It had lovely flower boxes on it so I stuck my head through to sniff them.

In fact there were flowers everywhere. It was so colourful it was like being in a TV plasma screen commercial.

And there were bees as big as dog biscuits! (they are called bumble-bees - they look sort of soft and cuddly, but I think not). Anyway the smells and the flowers are spectacular. And there were people everywhere enjoying the sunshine.

Here I am on the bridge. I could see many ducks and the paddle boats as well. We thought it might be fun to go on one. Maybe we will try this soon (if they let me, as the insurance might be too high for "Best in Show"!). I don't know if paddle boats are dog friendly, but speaking of dog-friendly things, I've decided I should let you know about as many dog-friendly venues as I can. I visit lots of great places that are very welcoming to dogs, so if I let you know about them, you can go there too!

So after the park we went to review the first of many dog-friendly establishments for dinner. I think this is an important service for me to provide to my readers, and I have received a lot of tips on places to try from the Doggie Pubs website. So we decided to try the Somers Town Coffee House in Carlton Street just off Euston Road (just up from the station where my Bulgarian friend had to catch the train home afterwards - not all the way to Bulgaria though, he lives in London).

Well it is fantastic! Dogs aren't allowed in the dining room, but that's ok as we preferred to sit on the sofas in the bar. The food, so I was told, was absolutely scrumptious, although nothing on the pudding menu took their fancy (they were all just too keen on ice cream after such a long hot London summer day). But best of all, they let me sit on the sofa! I was so tired, that I jumped on it before invited, but the staff said it was ok. It was marvellous. I was so relaxed I started snoring. The only criticism is that the humans were less comfortable as I took up most of the sofa. A second one would be good. Here I am sleeping on the sofa, lounging on the picnic blanket I got as a present at Crufts.

And look how comfy the arm rest on the sofa was!  I definitely want to go there again, so I hope I will see you there!

So for me the Somers Town Coffee House gets 5/5 Finnegan Stamps!

And then it was home in a London black cab (I was very tired, but not too tired to gaze out the window) for a nice long sleep with my new toy, dreaming about winning my next "Best in Show"!