At The Lawn, our Alton-based residential care home, Emma Cranstone, the care home’s Activities Coordinator, has been ‘em-barking’ on the preparations for The Lawn’s second community Dog Show – affectionately known as Scruffies.
“Our 2023 event was such as success that we really had to host it again,” said Emma. “Last year, our residents had a ‘paw-fect’ day enjoying the inaugural Dog Show and everyone was so keen, and loved it so much, that they insisted that we hosted the event again this year.”
The 2023 Scruffies saw a range of dogs of varying breeds take part in 10 award categories, with all the canine entrants being cheered on by residents, their families, friends and the care team.
“This year, we have 11 award categories, and have slightly changed a few of them to open up the competition,” continued Emma. “Our categories now include Best Junior Handler, the Sausage Eating Race – and a rather cheeky Most Like Their Owner award.”
The 2024 Scruffies will take place at The Lawn care home at 119 London Road, Holybourne, Alton, GU34 4ER on Saturday 29 June, starting at 2pm. “We will be asking all dogs to make sure their owners get them to the event for 1:30 p.m., so there will be plenty of time get used to the grounds and their surroundings,” added Emma.
“The Show Ring will be set-up on the lawn outside the care home’s dining area, giving everyone a good view of the proceedings,” Emma continued. “This year our award categories will be, Most Handsome Dog, Prettiest Lady Dog, Best Rescue Dog, Best Junior Handler, The Waggiest Tail, The Best Behaved Dog, The Scruffiest Dog, The Dog Most Like Its Owner, The Winner of The Sausage Eating Race and, finally, The Dog The Judges Would Like To Take Home,” added Emma, “With the final award going to Best in Show.”
The Entry Fee will be £1 per dog, per category. The ‘fur-tunate’ top three winners in each category will be presented with beautiful, handmade rosettes which will be lovingly made by The Lawn’s residents. However, nobody will leave with empty paws, as every dog that enters will be given a doggie bag with tasty homemade dog treats, which the residents will also make for them. “All the money we raise from the 2024 Scruffies will go into the Resident’s Activity Fund,” said Alina Gutu, the Registered Manager at The Lawn
“Our residents not only love dogs, but all animals,” added Alina. “They frequently reminisce and talk about pets they have loved and looked after during their lives – cats, birds, rabbits – between them, it’s quite a menagerie.”
There will also be ‘fur-bulous’ ‘whining and dining’ for visitors and all the dogs’ humans to enjoy too, as The Lawn will be offering tasty afternoon teas for only £5 per person. Hot and cold beverages will also be available to purchase.
If you would like to enter your dog into any – or all – of the 2024 Scruffies categories, please email Emma on: emma.cranstone@fote.org.uk or give her a call on telephone number 01420 84162. “We look forward to welcoming as many dogs, their owners and visitors as ‘paw-sible’, to make our 2024 Scruffies bigger and better than last year – and really raise the woof,” concluded Emma.
To find out more about the Scruffies or The Lawn care home, call 01420 84162 or email enquiries@fote.org.uk.