Oakham Carnival - or - Monty's Bad Day Out
posted by Chris at 17:07
Yesterday was Oakham Carnival, and Gill, Lucie and I together with the Beasts went along to help with the Meet and Greet on the White Lodge stand. The weather was great, the people pleasant, so why Monty's Bad Day Out?
Well, two reasons; and it all started before we even went anywhere.
We're about an hour from Oakham, and the plan was that Gill would get Lucie and pitch up here around midday. So to ensure that I wasn't the one to make us late (I am usually a bit bad with time) I got the car sorted with beds in the back, water, dog stake, etc. etc. While doing this Monty decided to get in the car as it was obvious that something was going on, and no way was he missing out!! Not a problem as it's about ten to twelve, so I only need to get Kai and Jack and we're off - not.
The White Lodge Stand
Far be it for me to cast aspersions and fall into the trap of sexual stereotypes, but Lucie was still putting her slap on, so the girls were going to be "a few minutes late". Rather than leave Monty in the car I decided to get him out. Problem was he knew something was going on, and having got out of the car, got straight back in just as I was shutting the boot. Boot door straight on to Monty's head. Ouch!!! Luckily I did see what was happening so was stopping it closing, but it did graze his head. (A check at the vets today confirmed it was only a graze and no more.)
So, off to Oakham (eventually), where all the usual suspects were assembled. We made it just in time as the carnival was getting to the park, followed by all the people who hopefully would throw loads of money into our buckets and promise to rehome all the hounds. Trouble was there was a brass band in the parade. Now I have nothing against brass bands as such (except the bl**dy Floral Dance), but they started right by the stand with the drummer whacking his drum to get the beat. Monty did not like this at all, and I mean he really did not like it. To the point he slipped his collar - a Martingdale collar to boot - and did a runner across the park. If you've read previous posts you will know that Monty is quick; when scared witless he is fast, and one black greyhound was seen heading across the park followed, comparatively slowly, by half a dozen humans. Trouble was he was heading for the road!! When we got to the car park I found him hiding between two cars, and he hadn?t run into the road; I think he was looking for the car as security.
Poor lad was shaking, so lots of reassurance before we walked the long way round, avoiding the band, back to the stand. Monty was still not overly happy, but a rest in the back of Claire?s car until the band finished playing relaxed him.
And the corollary of this tale is that the drummer turned up at the stand later in the afternoon to ask if ?the dog that did a runner was OK??, which was nice of him.
Treat for the Beasts
So what of the afternoon itself? Well, it was a very pleasant day out, though I don't think we raised a whole load of money. We did meet Blue Jack and his humans. They'd come to the stall to say hello to Claire, leaving Jack in the car 'coz he was a bit timid. It transpired that Blue Jack would probably be OK if he had another beast to walk with across the park. Need a bomb proof beast? You need Happy Jack. So Blue Jack's dad went off with our Jack to get their Jack (is this starting to sound like a Monty Python sketch?). While they were gone I got chatting to Blue Jack's mum. She seemed to feel that they weren't making any headway with Jack, what with him still being timid and so forth. At first I thought they had Jack a while, and he just wasn't getting any better. Turns out they've only had him three weeks!! When he turned up with Happy Jack he was a very handsome hound, and as happy as, well, Jack. You can see some pics of him here.
Happy Jack & Kai
So a nice social afternoon; though not sure it was a huge financial success. But of course, if one dog gets a home out of it, it's all worthwhile.
Well, two reasons; and it all started before we even went anywhere.
We're about an hour from Oakham, and the plan was that Gill would get Lucie and pitch up here around midday. So to ensure that I wasn't the one to make us late (I am usually a bit bad with time) I got the car sorted with beds in the back, water, dog stake, etc. etc. While doing this Monty decided to get in the car as it was obvious that something was going on, and no way was he missing out!! Not a problem as it's about ten to twelve, so I only need to get Kai and Jack and we're off - not.
The White Lodge Stand
Far be it for me to cast aspersions and fall into the trap of sexual stereotypes, but Lucie was still putting her slap on, so the girls were going to be "a few minutes late". Rather than leave Monty in the car I decided to get him out. Problem was he knew something was going on, and having got out of the car, got straight back in just as I was shutting the boot. Boot door straight on to Monty's head. Ouch!!! Luckily I did see what was happening so was stopping it closing, but it did graze his head. (A check at the vets today confirmed it was only a graze and no more.)
So, off to Oakham (eventually), where all the usual suspects were assembled. We made it just in time as the carnival was getting to the park, followed by all the people who hopefully would throw loads of money into our buckets and promise to rehome all the hounds. Trouble was there was a brass band in the parade. Now I have nothing against brass bands as such (except the bl**dy Floral Dance), but they started right by the stand with the drummer whacking his drum to get the beat. Monty did not like this at all, and I mean he really did not like it. To the point he slipped his collar - a Martingdale collar to boot - and did a runner across the park. If you've read previous posts you will know that Monty is quick; when scared witless he is fast, and one black greyhound was seen heading across the park followed, comparatively slowly, by half a dozen humans. Trouble was he was heading for the road!! When we got to the car park I found him hiding between two cars, and he hadn?t run into the road; I think he was looking for the car as security.
Poor lad was shaking, so lots of reassurance before we walked the long way round, avoiding the band, back to the stand. Monty was still not overly happy, but a rest in the back of Claire?s car until the band finished playing relaxed him.
And the corollary of this tale is that the drummer turned up at the stand later in the afternoon to ask if ?the dog that did a runner was OK??, which was nice of him.
Treat for the Beasts
So what of the afternoon itself? Well, it was a very pleasant day out, though I don't think we raised a whole load of money. We did meet Blue Jack and his humans. They'd come to the stall to say hello to Claire, leaving Jack in the car 'coz he was a bit timid. It transpired that Blue Jack would probably be OK if he had another beast to walk with across the park. Need a bomb proof beast? You need Happy Jack. So Blue Jack's dad went off with our Jack to get their Jack (is this starting to sound like a Monty Python sketch?). While they were gone I got chatting to Blue Jack's mum. She seemed to feel that they weren't making any headway with Jack, what with him still being timid and so forth. At first I thought they had Jack a while, and he just wasn't getting any better. Turns out they've only had him three weeks!! When he turned up with Happy Jack he was a very handsome hound, and as happy as, well, Jack. You can see some pics of him here.
Happy Jack & Kai
So a nice social afternoon; though not sure it was a huge financial success. But of course, if one dog gets a home out of it, it's all worthwhile.
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