A non-profit organisation set up to rescue and re-home shar peis in need.

Maypole Fete, Plaistow, Sussex

4th May 2009

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Well, we turned up at The Maypole Fete on the village green in Plaistow, West Sussex on May 4th and from the moment we arrived; we knew it was going to be a good day! Everybody was so friendly and accommodating.

A few spit spots of rain started when we first arrived, which is NEVER good news as far as the Shar Peis are concerned, but within twenty minutes the sky cleared and I could take the plastic poo bag off my head and get stuck in!

We'd like to thank Suzanne and Phil and Michelle and Lee who turned up early, helped us get everything up and running and worked tirelessly on the stalls ALL DAY!

We really couldn't do these events if it wasn't for the loyalty and help we get from those who have adopted dogs from us.

One of the best things about the Fete was the amount of Shar Pei owners who came to visit us. We met Sally, Buddha, Bailey and Huckleberry, Alfie and far too many to remember all of the names, as well as all their owners and we felt so proud to see so many happy, healthy Shar Pei.

Dooray (our Doug de Bordeaux) managed to pick up a boyfriend and several Peis picked up prizes in the various fun dog shows.

It was a lovely day and well worth all of the effort. So Thank you Emma and Mark for inviting us, Thanks again to Phil, Lee, Suzanne, Michelle, Oliver and my Dad and a really big

THANK YOU

to everybody who came along to support us and bring their wonderful shar peis to meet us.

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We made it!

We turned up good and early, gave the dogs a good run, set up the table and sat watching all the other breeds turn up for the show, feeling very much the 'new kids on the block'.

What a wonderful experience!

Firstly we would like to thank the Organisers. Secondly, Fran and Dee for all their help and putting us up complete with all of our dogs and Thirdly all of you who bothered to turn up with Shar Pei's to support us. When Neill and I returned home we were hoarse from chatting to people. We gave out lots of Foster/adoption forms, met some new friends and glowed with pride at how well our own dogs and those who came to visit us, behaved. All in all it was a very worthwhile show and hopefully next year, more of you will come and enjoy the atmosphere with us.

This was the stand. As you can see, there were lots of upright waggy tails to welcome those who wanted to meet us. Despite the heat, all of our dogs endlessly greeted new people with an enthusiastic welcome. Dee was a star and made everybody feel at home.

Every organisation was presented with a diploma and rosette by the mayor to say that we had taken part in the show.

Meet our newest recruit. Oliver is only two weeks old! Those who have read the website will know of Michelle. She was our first adopter and has driven hundreds of miles for us collecting dogs and promoting our cause. Oliver was born slightly prematurely but still managed to be there to support us. As you can see, he already wears a Shar Pei Rescue and Welfare T shirt.

There were some wonderful things going on at the show such as Police dog handling, Agility and sled dog racing, which those who watch the website on a regular basis, will know that Neill now does every year.

He was slightly disappointed by the size of the police dogs & said that it would be a much better sport using tigers or such like! He did get some funny looks when he cheered every time the dogs caught up with the runner!

...Here are some of the dogs who just turned up with their owners at the show .

This little French Bulldog really understood the command, 'smile for the camera'.

There were good provisions for people with dogs as our friends from Battersea Dog & Cats home had not only provided water dishes, but provided poo bags for everyone as well.

The washing line for the Old English sheep dog made sure that they dried out nicely! (Don't worry, they were prizes on a stand.)

Dooray was there of course as an honorary Shar Pei , however there were plenty of Doug de Bordeaux there who knew that she was in disguise.

There was a fabulous water jump, run by dockdogs.com, that went into a large tank. In the heat there were loads of breeds ready to take advantage of it. Needless to say, we didn't see any Shar Pei's deciding to join in ?

Here are some of the Shar Pei's who visited us and helped to prove what a wonderful breed we rescue and what a fabulous pet they can be with enough love and the right training.

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By 5pm on the Sunday our lot decided it was time for a nap.

It really is a very busy show and well worth visiting if you enjoy seeing, stroking and being part of a dogs life. Lots of owners & real dog enthusiasts with lots of different breeds.