Crufts 2007

Thanks to my associateship with DOG THEFT ACTION I was invited onto their stand at Crufts in 2007 and this was a very high honour indeed.

When I arrived during the morning of Sunday 11th March 2007 to join them, a lot of hard work had already taken place. People were very kind and very interested in all we had to tell them about DTA and the work of the Jerry Green Foundation Trust and hopefully a lot of good has been done all round...

The Lincolnshire and Essex Boxer Rescue

being presented with a Scanner by Marc Abraham

on behalf of Dog Theft Action

Marc kindly spent a lot of time with the DTA stand

and signed petitions and autographs

- thanks Marc

click his pic to see the Marc Abraham website

I took some more photos in the short time I had to walk around later

and give you some of the loyal, hard working and noble dogs I saw in action...

First the Fire Brigade rescue dogs ... Border Collies and Springer Spaniels ...

Finally - news of ENDAL from Allen Parton

Crufts celebration "The big ten" for Endal!

The Kennel Club marked a major achievement in Endal illustrious career as a service dog by celebrating his tenth appearance at Crufts with a surprise presentation

from Caroline Kisko of a card and bottle of Champaign (which Allen promised to share with Endal)

"I was sat in the press office listening to the launch presentation of National pet month, given by TV presenter Philippa Forester, who many moons ago filmed with Endal" said Allen. "I was actually trying to recall the actual programme and date when suddenly everyone in the room was looking a us two old crocks" he went on "I heard them saying that a special presentation was being made but not for one moment did I think it was for us!" For once, as Phil Buckley from the KC press office stated "Allen and Endal were lost for words" and admittedly wee bit emotional.

Following my head injury in the 1991 Gulf war I lost 50% of my life's history, which included being married and the birth of my children, none of these memories have ever returned to this day. My family and I have since rebuilt a new life with new memories and have stopped looking back with sadness but now look forward with hope. When I fell in love with Sandra again we remarried and in doing so moved on from the aftermath of war that could have so easily destroyed our family.

Crufts has become so much part of the new life for the Parton family and we have made so many real friends over the years. Endal even has folk searching him out for the annual photograph with his adoring fans, to whom a Crufts without meeting Endal is just not complete. The KC and everyone involved with Crufts have supported this partnership for so many years said Allen.

They have given Endal and I such a feeling of dignity and worth, a truly unrepayable debt we owe to them all.

This year's Crufts has got to have been the best for Endal and I, not just because it was our tenth attendance, but because all the charities that we are involved with and that mean so much to me were under the one roof. Canine Partners of which I am a trustee, Labrador Rescue South East and Central of which Endal and I are Patrons, Dog Theft Action (now an official charity) as vice chairman and SSAFA whom have helped my family and I post Gulf war

Sadly on Saturday Endal was slightly injured when a member of the public fell on to him, hurting his neck. A band of unsung heroes who are always on stand by during the four days of Crufts, the Crufts veterinary team had within five minutes checked Endal over and given him the all clear but suggested some rest. A quiet corner of the press office allowed Endal a good snooze and some R and R in the afternoon and on Sunday morning.

Will he make an eleventh Crufts? "Allen reply " We might make a one day visit, but four days really does take it's toll on both of us. Endal left Crufts on Sunday afternoon with his head and tail raised high and a spring in his step". Allen added " I am just so immensely proud of Endal, he not only for-filling his PR role for the many organisation he is associated with but he also cared for me as well enabling me to be independent through out Crufts. Even despite his neck injury not once did he ever stop trying to help me. He really is a champion amongst dogs and being at Crufts is truly his rightful place"

Sunday, 11th March 2007

... Webmaster