Here's the press release and some photos about Hatch, the only female on Henry VIII's flagship The Mary Rose:

Tudor Mongrel Steals the Show at

DFS Crufts 2010

- DFS Crufts Hosts Mary Rose Dog Before She Returns Home After Nearly
500 Years -

A 16th century sea dog, the only female crew member aboard Henry VIII’s flagship the Mary Rose, has taken pride of place at DFS Crufts this year as special guest of the Kennel Club.

It was day two of Crufts today and while the terriers and hound fought it out in the show ring, Buddy and I spent some time on The Blue Cross stand. The Blue Cross is an animal charity and here's what they say about their role:

The Blue Cross mission: Provide care, promote companionship, enhance animal and human lives

The Blue Cross is a registered UK animal welfare charity. Our aims are to:

p>On Mothers Day, spare a thought for some doggy mothers who need forever homes:

DOGS TRUST CELEBRATES MARVELLOUS CANINE MUMS THIS MOTHER’S DAY

Devoted doggy-mums are in need of paw-fect homes

On Sunday 14th March mums across the country will be eagerly awaiting cards, gifts and flowers; sadly no one will be sending tokens of love to these three doggy-mums.

It's the first day of Crufts today and as I trawled through the press releases on offer in the press room, some of them jumped out at me.
 

Crufts is a celebration of all things doggy, including rare British breeds. If you're looking for a dog to suit you, maybe a "vulnerable" breed could be just what you're looking for? Here's the press release from British Heritage Dog Breeds:

CRUFTS 2010 – It’s cool to be British!

Forget all those fancy and exotic foreign dog breeds. The message is clear: "if you want to be cool, get a British or Irish dog breed and preferably one of the really really rare ones which are in danger of disappearing".

A couple of headlines caught my head in the newspaper I bought on Saturday. One was Vaccines 'are making our dogs sick as vets cash in' and featured quotes from Catherine O'Driscoll of Canine Health Concern. I interviewed Catherine for Episode 96 of DogCast Radio, and I know her worries come from her experiences with her own dogs.

Do you have a super smart dog, or one who needs extra distraction when left alone? Well here's news that might interest you:

Company of Animals premieres the world’s most eco-friendly dog toy at Crufts
Dogs in the UK are looking forward to being Bamboozled when Company of Animals premieres the world’s most eco-friendly dog toy at Crufts.
 

Crufts is only days away, and there's always lots of great doggy people in attendance. Dr Roger Mugford will be one of them, and you can hear an interview with him in Episode 48 of DogCast Radio.             

‘Founding Father’ of pet behaviour therapy,
Dr Roger Mugford, shares his expertise with Crufts visitors

Top animal psychologist, Dr Roger Mugford, will once again be offering free advice to         visitors on the Company of Animals’ stand at Crufts on any aspect of canine behaviour.

I'm looking forward to seeing this film. It's based on the true story of a dog who waited for his dead master, which you can find out more about here. I just hope it's not as much of a weepy as Marley and Me was.

Take care,

Julie x

Someone who is going to be busy raising money for charity os James Hewitt who is doing a sponsored walkies-athon! Here are the details:

DARLINGTON DOG LOVER GOES FOR ULTIMATE WALKIES

‘100 DOGS IN 12 HOURS’ FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE

Darlington dog lover James Hewitt is planning to raise money for his local Dogs Trust rehoming centre by going for the ultimate walkies next month.