And the winner of Mr Hampstead Pup Idol 2014 is

A well-organised event for dogs and their owners is always fun and the annual Pup Idol contest held by charity ‘All Dogs Matter‘ is definitely not one to miss! Rufus and I rolled up on Saturday at The Spaniards Inn in Hampstead for the 5th consecutive year of Pup Idol, excited and intrigued. We were in for a treat…….

The venue couldn’t have been more dog-friendly; they even have a permanent ‘Dog Wash’ booth in their car park (as opposed to Car Wash) for post muddy dips in Hampstead Ponds or walks on the heath and pre drinkies and lovely pub lunches in The Spaniard.

‘All Dogs Matter’ rescue dogs from the streets, foster them out and finally find them loving homes. Many of the dogs at the show were proudly and lovingly owned ADM dogs. A raffle and auction helped to raise money, so Poppy and Rufus donated a Toto Treat Jar for their Raffle table, but the main event, not to be taken lightly, was the fiercely competitive Dog Competition!

A panel of volunteering celebrities and professionals, such as Bill Oddie , TV vet, Marc Abrahams and Michelle Collins (owner of an ADM dog and a Poppy & Rufus Maxi travel bag, might I add) judged the various categories and selected the four finalists (1st to 4th place ) after each round.

Which category to enter Rufus into then? Couldn’t be Cutest Pup (too old), Golden Oldie (too young), Best Dressed (doesn’t ‘do’ outfits, especially not since the Christmas Rudolph photo), certainly not Miss Hampstead (despite the extreme fluff ) so ‘ Mr Hampstead’ it had to be.

Definitely the fullest category, we filed on to stage one by one to be ‘presented’ to the panel. Sleek bulldogs, French and English, strutted their fancy stuff, as well as other fine and handsome chaps.

Next, all competitors shared the stage for the results of our category. Talk about ‘competitive Dad syndrome; I was actually trampled on by one pushy owner on the way up the steps, luckily Rufus escaped injury despite the bursting balloon as I toppled backwards. Such was the tension! Resigned to being obliterated from view by Alpha-owner, we chatted instead to a wonderful rescue puppy and his human, also in the back row.

Then suddenly, as 4th, 3rd and 2nd places were announced, we heard Bill Oddie shout out ”Where’s Rufus?”. Amazing. Rufus had WON Mr Hampstead, Pup Idol 2014! A huge bag of Lily’s Kitchen yummy goodies were presented to Rufus, along with his red rosette. A proud day for Poppy & Rufus.

All in all, the team of volunteers from ADM worked tirelessly in the extreme heat, the packed audience gave their enthusiastic support and The Spaniards Inn made sure everyone’s thirst was quenched. Watch this space for their next event in September, Wet Nose Day.

And not forgetting Poppy’s success …..

Rufus’s conquest was hot on the heels of Poppy’s celebrations after winning the best dog trick competition at Alderley Edge Village Fete.

If you are wondering what brought her this accolade, watch the winning trick here