Pageant Queen!!

Today I went to a dog show in Essex. It was held near the village of Margaretting at a Riding Club. Mummy and I love showing in dog shows in summer, it's nice to be outdoors anyway but the weather really makes it an event! Not when it's too hot, though... On very hot days at a dog show we rest in the shade a lot and I drink plenty of water to keep me cool. Some of the other contestants have "cooling coats" which you soak in water and it keeps them cool. What a good idea! 

I'll tell you a secret... I used to be a bit scared of other dogs. I was chased around by a baddie on my first long walk in Hampstead and well, that REALLY put me off to start with. Luckily Mummy wasn't scared off and continued to take me out at my own pace rewarding me with treats when I was approached by other dogs, and slowly but surely I gained confidence! That's where the dog shows come in- Mummy loves to see other dogs as well and had always been going to dog shows (even before I arrived!) and took me to my first dog show. She said she was a bit nervous whether I would be ok with so many other dogs, but as soon as I got there I transformed into a social butterfly and was mingling like a pro! It's really helped me with socialising and I've chatted with everyone from the tiny like moi to giant Great Danes! They look like horses next to me! I guess I'm just a natural pageant queen ;) 

This was me at my first dog show last year! I won an award at my first show and I was so proud... Look at my proud grin!

This was at PupAid in my favourite haunt, Primrose Hill! I go there every day as some of you may know... I won "The Coolest Dog In London" !! Tee hee ;) PupAid is organized by my friend, Marc the Vet and is an event to help stop and raise awareness of puppy farming. I often go to the events Marc the vet is supporting to help with the cause. I bumped into him the other day in Primrose Hill as well! He recognized me as I was sashaying along the high street...

Getting back to today's show, we arrived in Margaretting after a very pleasant drive through some beautiful countryside. Although I didn't see any scenery. 

This is me on the way there...

We arrived a bit late and there weren't many classes left but we registered as Mummy says it's important to participate. We entered for "Best Coat" (the fur kind). 

There were so many dogs of different breeds with the glossiest, most fabulous coats I had ever seen. 

I sat and posed the best I could and gave my best smile to the judges. The judges had us walk around the show ring so they could see us from all angles. 

The judges were talking amongst themselves and discussing their chosen ones. Finally the decisions were made and the judge made her presentation speech. "Such a difficult decision given all the beautiful coats, and obviously the dogs with the shiniest coats tend to enter this class" she said. "We also took into consideration the way the different colours of coat reflect the light differently..."

(What could that mean? Most of the dogs were dark and shiny?!!) The judges stepped forward and one winner was chosen, then another. And then... The judge walked over to MOI!!! I won an award!!

Everything was in slow motion!! She even commented on my rather shiny crystal harness. (It's from Hunter, you know) Mummy and I were ecstatic and she was so happy she enjoyed a cream tea hand made by the ladies running the show. A win win situation for all!!

Ta Dahhhh!!!

C. xx

Big Weekend!

On Saturday I set out to one of my social meet ups. I've been so busy with dog shows this summer that I haven't been to one in a while. Doggie walking groups are really good for socialising. I used to be a little bit scared of bigger dogs but l learnt how to socialise through our meet ups. Once we start walking, we all seem to form a "pack" and get along very well. 

There were about seven or eight of us, and we met and walked around Hampstead Heath. There had been plenty of excitement before I joined in, one of my friends had jumped into the pond and had to be rescued covered in green gloop! He was also stung by a wasp :( We brought biscuits to share with everyone and that got everyone smiling :) Mummy always says that snacks are for sharing.  

After the walk we headed down to the Garden Gate pub, next to Hampstead Heath station. I had never been there before, in Hampstead I go to the Spaniards Inn where one of my dog shows "Pup Idol" was held. I much prefer cafes to pubs but The Spaniards Inn has a lovely outdoor area which is ideal for alfresco lunches. It's also very doggie friendly and even has a dog wash service! The Garden Gate was lovely, too.  A large outdoor area which was very busy and I could smell the barbecue! I wasn't tempted as I knew that Mummy had packed my lunch. Some other mummys ordered their lunches and they came back with a pretty flower which was their order number. How clever! 

But as the mummys were chit chatting, you'll never guess what happened! One of my friends tucked their nose into my handbag and STOLE MY LUNCH!! Oh, the horror!! I barked to get Mummy's attention but she thought I was playing with my friends! She finally noticed when she saw the empty bag on the floor next to my very guilty looking friend. She told me I could have an extra special lunch when I got home. Such drama! Next time I'll put my lunch in a better hiding place… 

C xx

At the Garden Gate, Hampstead. 

(Pre lunch stealing incident )

My Birthday!!

It was my birthday today!! I am two years old now and what an exciting year it's been so far!!! Last week I won my first trophy for First Prize in Talent! Just in time to celebrate my birthday, I was so proud and happy! See how proud I am?

For my birthday I got a lovely Hello Kitty card …

And a big birthday goody bag full of presents ! 

I love the chihuahua wrapping paper! Mummy said she bought it at Harrods, in our favourite pet department 💖 When we go there we go to a special door and my personal shop assistant comes down to escort me up. When we are finished shopping my assistant guides me to the lift. Everyone looks at me like I'm a princess! 👸

I opened all my presents, which included some of my favourite treats! Mummy said I could try them all as it was my special day. 

We decided to spend my birthday in one of my favourite places, the beautiful Richmond Riverside. I had a lovely snooze in the car on the way there, I love car rides! I also had a good sniff of the air while staring out the window. I love looking at the people going by and appreciating the scenery. 

Once we arrived in Richmond we went to my favourite tea room where you are surrounded by flowers of every type and colour. I sat down by a white hydrangea bush underneath a glamorous parasol decorated with mother of pearl hearts and beads. The lavender was so fragrant as well, and I studied the bees who looked so busy! I just love having afternoon tea…

After tea we took a walk along the river towards Richmond Bridge. I love this bridge, it reminds me of the bridges along the Seine in Paris. The weather was lovely, when it's too hot I just sit in the shade with my tongue out :) 

Some people were enjoying the rowing boats in the river. I've been on a boat here as well, it took us down to Teddington Lock and back. One thing I missed on my birthday was playing in Petersham Meadows. From this year pooches are not allowed in during the grazing season for the cows. I just love running and prancing around in the meadow… 

After our riverside stroll we sat down in the lovely cafe by the bridge. The cafe is surrounded by huge trees which give a lovely shady resting place ideal for people watching. When I see other dogs I woof to get their attention. I just can't help myself ! ;)

  I had such a lovely time! Thank you to my friends for all the bday messages!!🎂👸🎂👸🎂👸 C xx🐾

New Training Class!

Today I attended a new training class at Hampstead Heath. I met the ladies who run it the other day at the Kenwoof Dog Show. Now, I know what you're thinking- "Why would a well behaved princess like Mademoiselle Chanel need to go training class?" Well, mummy says it's very important to keep training even for perfect pooches. Consistency is key she says, I just like the treats! Hooray for treat-based training!!

The classes are held on a lovely grassy field, well trimmed too! I love a manicured lawn. Mummy doesn't really 'do' overgrown grass either so she was happy too. At first it looked like it would be just be moi (like a private tutorial), in the summer lots of families go on holiday apparently (harumph I keep asking mummy to book my vacay to the Cote D'Azur) but one by one more pooches appeared as if from nowhere. All sizes and shapes, I'm pretty pleased with myself how I held my own being the smallest one there. 

It's wonderful to see those mummys and daddys working it out there, hope they can keep up with us!

Not much time to socialise though, because we're all focused on our training. And treats. Mummy had to go and top up my treats bag mid class because I finished them all. 

Here's my treats bag. Personalised, of course. 

After training we were quite exhausted and mummy said we should have a nice sit in a cafe. Sitting in cafes is one of our favourite pastimes! We chose the lovely Le Pain Quotidien in Hampstead. While we sipped our ice soya lattes, a long coat chihuahua just like me came round the corner! The same champagne colour as me! We said hello and I invited him to our training group next time. 

Mademoiselle Chanel 🐾