You could hear the Crufts dogs from the Earl’s Court tube station before you saw them, so I’ll know what to expect at Ireland’s Best in show.
Every boy pesters his dad for a puppy which he can call his best friend.
But a dalliance with the Shovlins’ Welsh corgi on holiday in Portnoo, Co. Donegal, was the closest I got to a pet.
Furry friends have come and gone since I set up home with ‘my own little pussycat’ 34 years ago.
Mostly neighbours’ moggies as few could compare with our ‘first-born’ Celtic.
With my little cubs taking to one particular ball of fur, Mr Bojangles, growing up in Ireland.
Expo Factor
Whether long, short-haired, bald, bold or timid every animal deserves to be petted.
And the message at Ireland’s Pet Expo, sponsored by Agria Petinsure, on October 19 and 20, at the National Show Centre, Swords, is to rescue an animal.
And point to the 2,800 dogs dreaming of a new home in rescue centres in Ireland.
With Pet Expo offering a Rescue Dog of the Year Competition.
Poochie coochie coo
Of course, every pet expo has at its showcase a Best in Show category which Swords bills as its Pet Expo’s Perfect Pooch category.
Now there is no one breed better than another and you cam celebrate the rich variety of our four-legged friends.
At the Dog Breed Village with over 50 breeds on display.
Now we all love our lap dogs (and you can count human husbands among that number) and cats.
And among the titbits Pet Expo shares about our animals is that cats (and that’ll include sleepover Rufus) is that they’re actually purring because they’re hungry.
The Great Outdoors
But we also like to get outdoors with them in their natural environment.
And Pet Expo is celebrating our outdoors animals and a photoshoot with Ace the Unicorn pony.
And alpacas and their experts on show.
This being Ireland there are also obviously sheepdog demonstrations.
Now as it should be kids and animals go free at Pet Expo.
While a value €18 for grown-ups with discounts for students and OAPs is worth shouting about.
Now every pet owner rightfully thinks theirs is unparalleled.
But we can all agree that Ireland’s Best in show is next week at the National Show Centre, Swords, north of Dublin.
