Midlands & Northern Rhodesian Ridgeback Club

Ridgeback Rescue

Fun Day 2008

Sunday 13th July 2008 the date for the Fun Day held in aid of Rescue at Hendwick Hall, the lovely home of John and Cheryl Mackfall, promised to be a lovely day and it didn’t let us down. The weather was bright and sunny with enough breeze to keep things comfortable for the dogs.

There were various stalls, a tombola, guess the weight and a raffle offering lots of great prizes. A number of games and competitions had been planned for both dogs and humans, some of which were purely for the children. These were organised and presided over in their usual excellent fashion by Ann Gates and Alex Schofield.

The Scurry is always a great success and a large and vociferous crowd gathered round to view the event. In the Scurry each dog (one at a time though!) has to race against the clock along a predefined course, the fastest being the winner. Well, most went along the predefined course; that is apart from two puppies owned by one of our committee members, who shall remain nameless…………… Oh alright then, it was Janice!! Hope and Morgan (Janice’s Puppies) rather than go to their mistress’ call, thought it would be much better fun to play with the other dogs. They made a dash for it under the rails and had to be rounded up by those fielding in the deep!! Then, not to be out done, Storm, who is owned by another committee member, took on the air of a super model gliding along the catwalk! Despite her owner’s frantic exaltations from the far end of the course, Naomi………sorry, Storm, strolled through the first half of the course gently sniffing the air, before realising that her name was STORM and charging to the finish!! Now you may be wondering who it could possibly be that is training a ridgeback in the arts of being a supermodel, unfortunately we are sworn to secrecy……… but it’s Pat!!!

A parade of some of the re-homed dogs with a brief history of their lives to date was read out. It brought such joy and pleasure to see them looking so happy and relaxed with their new owners. Many a lump was caught in many a throat and many a tear ploughed a gentle furrow in many a cheek.

There was a lovely Buffet Lunch which everyone seemed to enjoy and thirst quenching drinks were available all day. Thanks for this must go to John's mother, and her dedicated band of helpers for attending to our every need.

Proceedings were brought to a close with a lively auction for a beautiful cake made especially for Rescue by Anna from the Edland Kennels, where most of the homeless dogs are housed, followed by presentation of prizes for the games.

Everyone who attended and contributed to such a lovely day are to be thanked and congratulated, but special thanks are due to the Mackfall family for the use of their home and grounds and making this such an enjoyable day. However, the greatest debt is owed to all of you who have been prepared to offer these unwanted ridgebacks a second chance. If it wasn’t for you, our work would be in vain.

This event has now assumed a permanent position in the social calendar. Hendwick Hall must now rank with Ascot and Henley as a place to be seen. Certainly if you are looking for a day of fun with your dogs (whatever their breeding) you would have to go a long way to better “Hendwick Hall”! Make a note in your diarys for next year, it’ll be roughly the same weekend, but keep checking back for confirmation of the exact date.