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October 2024

Guests Get a Round of 'A-Paws' When they Visit Richmond Manor

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Everyone wore a big smile when the cutest of pups arrived at Richmond Manor Care Home for their first-ever dog show.

Residents and staff invited the furry friends into their home for the Richmond Manor Family Dog Show with locals entering their best friends for a range of classes.

The keen winners received rosettes with a bag of dog treats for first-place stars.

Categories included 'best-looking dog', 'best-behaved dog', 'dog with the waggiest tail', 'dog most like its owner' and 'dog the judges would most like to take home'.

There was also a very special category – 'dog with the best trick'.

Richmond Manor residents and judges Barbara Fairey, aged 91, Rosemary Parish, aged 84, and John Mayhead, aged 92, had the toughest decisions to make on the day.

Former Ampthill Mayor John said: "I have had to make a lot of tough decisions in my time, but this was difficult.

"The dogs were all wonderful, and it was so lovely meeting their owners and talking to them about their pets."

Fellow judge Rosemary added: "It was a privilege to judge and award the prizes. We do hope the dogs come back and visit."

Delighted guest Alison Wilkerson, the proud owner of Rosie and Jim, who won the ‘Small Dog Agility contest’, said: "We had a fabulous time. Rosie and Jim are rescue dogs, found by the side of the road. They are mother and son." Alison also won the Mystery Auction on the day – a doggy pool!

The pooches certainly pulled the heartstrings, with everyone falling in love with three very beautiful golden retrievers, Lucky, Maggie and Freddie, who belong to the family of Richmond Manor resident June Boyer, aged 88. 

June said: "We definitely love our dogs in our family, and it was so lovely to see them looking so pretty on the day, so beautifully clean and brushed - it's not always like that, though!"

Richmond's Wellbeing & Lifestyle Coach Clare Cook said: "It was the most wonderful day, and the lovely dogs had everyone smiling.