Caesar and I made our second trip to Crufts at The National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, this year. The journey both ways by train had access issues, but I won't bore you with that here.

On Thursday 6th we were up at 5am to get the 07.18 train, and arrived in Birmingham, dropped our bags off at the hotel then straight to the NEC.

More or less as soon as we got to Crufts, it was time for the Dogs for the Disabled display in the Special Events Ring. It was mostly puppy socialisers and trainers with dogs in training, and also consisted of a race between two teams to complete a course of assistance tasks. Caesars' 1/2 sister Dolly and her partner Pat were interviewed towards the end, and I was delighted to have arrived in time to see the display, even if it had made for a tiring journey.

Later on Thursday, I got a call on my mobile phone to go to the Dogs for the Disabled stand, where Caesars' Puppy Socialiser had turned up unexpectedly, which was a delightful surprise.

Then Dogs for the Disabled asked me if Caesar and I could empty a washing machine on the Hills stand for a TV crew. We were happy to oblige, and then did a short interview, which was shown on BBC Midlands Today, that evening.

Friday morning saw us attending a Dogs for the Disabled reception with the Kennel Club. This was to launch the link between Dogs for the Disabled and the KC in respect of the Good Citizen Dog Scheme. I got to speak at this event, and was rather nervous, but managed to hold it together and say something which roused a round of applause, so that was ok.

Early Friday afternoon, Caesar and I were doing a demo in The Good Citizen Ring with the Dogs for the Disabled Training Manager commentating. This went pretty well, but there was also an examiner from the Good Citizen Scheme trying to examine us for the test at the same time, so a little confusing...however, Caesar took it al in his stride.

Later Friday afternoon, Caesar and I were back in the same ring, with a dog club who were taking the Good Citizen Bronze Award. Caesar took his test at the same time and passed! That's my boy! We were presented with a certificate and rosette by the Chief Exec. of the Kennel Club! Doing this type of thing in a hall or dog training club is quite different to doing it in front of hundreds and hundreds of people!

Everyone at Dogs for the Disabled was pleased to get our first dog through the scheme, and I am sure it won't be too long before all partnerships are doing the exact same thing. Over the coming months Caesar and I hope to be taking the Silver and Gold awards.

Friday evening Caesar and I were visited at our hotel by Windsor and his family. Windsor is a full brother to Caesar and is a Guide Dog Stud. He is a beautiful boy, and apart from his humans, brought along Amara, a beautiful lab/golden cross, who is his daughter and is a Guide Dog pup in training with the same family. We all got along very well, and were sorry when it was time for them to go.

Saturday, saw us back in the Good Citizen Ring doing the display with the Dogs for the Disabled Training Manager commentating again. I was delighted so many people we knew were around to watch, Caesar and I were more confident by then and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Sunday morning saw us at the Hills stand, with Peter Purves, a Dogs for the Disabled Vice Patron, and Peter Gorbing, Dogs for the Disabled Chief. Exec. receiving a cheque from Hills on behalf of the charity.

On Sunday afternoon,Dogs for the Disabled had a display similar to Fridays in the Special Events Ring, and we were proud to have been part of the parade of partnerships at the end. We also got a special mention from Peter Purves for completing the bronze award.

Throughout the show we met lots of other Dogs for the Disabled partnerships, spent time on the Dogs for the Disabled stand, managed so see some other displays in the various rings, and met up with friends. We both had a super but exhausting time!