The trouble with chasing buzzy stripy critters is that sometimes they bite you back. And so it was that I ended up at the vets, with a wasp sting in my mouth thus missing the final rehearsal for my place on the SDDTS display team. Mum said I was not to worry as Bentley would show me what to do but I’m not so sure. He’s very easily distracted by all the foodie sniffs around at fetes!

The day of the Speldhurst fete arrives and man it’s hot. Mum gives me a good brush so that I look my best, but I wish I could leave my fur coat at home. Bentley and I are really eager to see our mates from school and have a good sniff around a different patch of grass and when we arrive there are so many smells that we are beside ourselves with excitement. As we make our way to the ring I’m patted and stroked by so many little hands but I just love all the attention.

The time has come for the team to perform. We parade in to the ring and I hold my head high and wag my tail happily as we get ready for the ‘play down exercise’. I’m slightly confused by this one. What is the point of mum getting me all excited with my special toy and then telling me to go down just when I’m having most fun? H’mmm, not sure if I can be bothered today, it’s far to hot and I’d rather just watch mum play. Then it’s time for the ‘leave it’ exercise. This is good for hot weather as I just have to keep my eyes on mum while Bentley and Jamie weave in and out, resisting any temptation to say hello as they pass me. ‘Through the door’ and ‘crossing the road’ is next, although why you humans think that a couple of cones look anything like a doorway or road is beyond me. Now comes the fun recall. Mum is walking away from me telling me to wait but her feet are telling me a different story. I want to go to her so badly - I know she will call me any second now – turn round mum please. As she calls I bound towards her, knowing that she’ll be so pleased and relieved that I waited. Sam and Jet then show us a formal recall and I wonder if I’ll ever be that good. After all the excitement it’s time for the ‘stay’ exercise, in this heat that shouldn’t be too difficult. Parading out of the ring Mum’s all smiles and I know I haven’t let her down. She’s knows that I did it because it’s fun to make her happy.

Oh Crumbs! There’s a tiny human patting Bentley with an Ice cream in her hand- this could be messy. Luckily he’s distracted by a pocket full of gravy bones that dad carries everywhere.

Time for the agility display. I watch some old and some new friends leaping and weaving, yelping and squeaking around the course and that’s just the humans.

Back to the car now for a nice long drink and I think I’ll just have a taste of those Strawberries dad’s left lying there while he’s not looking. You humans could learn a lot from us. A warm lap is just as comfortable in a shed as a palace. No amount of money spent could replace a tickle under the ear and the look of love and admiration on your face when we get something right.

By Baxter Fitch, Age 1 ½

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