Birmingham Pride – May 2018

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Jul 132018
 

Apologies for this post being so late… I’ve been so manic recently that I haven’t had time to write the post or get some of the photos edited.

The late May Bank Holiday weekend saw me going to Birmingham to join in Birmingham Pride, as I’ve done for the last few years. Thankfully, the weather was a lot better than I was expecting, as the early forecast was for rain… and I go a bit see-through in the rain!

I joined the Midlands Pups walking group again who were, perhaps ironically, placed behind The Dogs Trust walking group. This caused some amusement in the crowd but we didn’t really get up to any mischief – although I did manage to get a snappy wristband!

The parade, as ever, was enjoyable and the crowd fantastic. I managed to do quite a bit of it on all 4s, but not all of it as most years. I do prefer to do it on all 4s but sometimes, needs must… from the pictures, it also looks like I had a sleep half way through!

After the parade had finished, and after queuing to get the wristband, I went in to the village to have a wander round and also to join @Puppai_Buumi‘s Club Scritches outside Clonezone. Buumi roped me in to helping him with a contest as well for the pups that were there, so we had some fun with that as well 🙂

I had a little rest here as well, but for some reason I seemed to end up half in the tent and half outside it!

During the time in the village, I also took a wander around, looking at what else was happening and posing for photos with people as they requested. The village had a different layout this year, which meant things weren’t quite in the same place, but it was still enjoyable and I ended up chatting to a few people – including the Chief Constable who was quite cheerful!

Of course, as is becoming traditional – Spot had to go on the funfair!

As I got off the funfair ride, a couple of the staff came up and asked if they could have some photos with me as well as they aw my owner taking some as well.

Pup on Tour – Antwerp & Amsterdam Feb 2018

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Mar 262018
 

This pup has been allowed to go on holiday… Passport in paw, my handler and I went off for a weekend away in Belgium and Netherlands, and thankfully, we got the right weekend what with the snowy weather we’ve had since!

Well, OK, there was reason to the trip… I was one of the judges for the Mr Puppy Europe competition this year. My massive congratulations to all who entered (Hack, Hero, Teck, Nox, Matt, Buumi, Makker and Zaush) but particularly to Pup Matt from France, who won 🙂 This trip also gave us a chance to catch up with some people including The Kinksters, Latex 101 and some of the team from Recon as well as many random people. With this catch up with people I haven’t seen for quite some time – something may be occurring …. watch this space later in the year 😉

Around the area of the Leather Pride event, which Mr Puppy Europe is part of are some historic cranes, and while I had a moment spare, we thought we’d take some photos.

Also the stand just opposite Camp-K9 (Camp-K9 is the area that we use in Darklands for the pups) there was some HUGE dog status, so it had to be done … a quick photo beside one of them

After the contest and Pup Matt being awarded the title of Mr Puppy Europe 2018, we all descended upon a local pizza restaurant for a celebratory meal. The staff there were very accommodating, considering it’s such a small venue, and over 40 of us pups and handlers, judges and helpers arrived!!! … Due to the numbers, we had to sit outside in -4 deg C having food and drink … but that certainly didn’t take the chill off the fun … and to keep warm, I put on my Dalmatian print onesie, then my Mr Puppy UK 2015/(16) jacket over the top, so I still basically resembled the same pup that had arrived at the restaurant *wags*

For logistical reasons with travel, we knew we would end up having a few hours to spend in Amsterdam. So before leaving Antwerp we visited Mr-B (Antwerp) after leaving the hotel, before walking down to the train station. Once at the train station, a quick bite to eat and then a few pictures as puppy in the train station. (and we also bumped into ZaushPuppy who was also making his way home.

Once on the train in the warm, I couldn’t resist but to travel as puppy

Sadly with how chilly it was, I covered back up with Combat trousers and Fleece as we arrived in Amsterdam. I stayed dressed over the top of puppy whilst we did our wander round town and we did manage to take a look in a few shops, including Mr B and ROB before we had to head for the plane home. However, once in Amsterdam train station and knowing that for the next while I’d be inside, I changed back to become puppy and put my domestic clothes in the bag, before taking a few pictures outside the station.

After the pictures, a coffee in the train station to warm up before catching the train to Schipol Airport.

With my puppy hood in my paws…

I managed to travel from Amsterdam Train Station to Luton Airport as full puppy (minus hood) – stopping for a bite to eat in the Schipol airport though.

Being almost full pup causes great merriment with security at the airport and they even remarked that dogs can’t come through security… and some staff were inquisitive and asked a few questions, which I happily answered explaining who and what I am 😉 . Being puppy on the plane also was fun 🙂

… the airline crew asked, once we’d landed, to see me with the pup hood on, so I happily agreed *waggles* – but so as not to cause trouble in Luton airport, I took the hood back off and carried it with me in my paws.

… Sadly though when back at Luton, I had to put my fleece back on as it was just too chilly waiting on the bus to the car park!

A PAWESOME weekend away, and hope to have more pup time this year and keep my paws typing in my blog as I know I ended up a bit distant from the blog and pup time during 2017 … so here’s to a more enjoyable pup-filled time of 2018. *wags*

Birmingham Pride Parade – 2017

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Jun 092017
 

I’ve still got a post to write about the remaining part of my holiday, but as Colin has published some of his photos tonight of Birmingham Pride, I thought I’d best write a blog post about it.

This year’s pride followed not long after the Manchester Bombing and that meant there was an increased police presence on the streets around the start of the parade – but that didn’t mean to say they weren’t getting in to the spirit of things – and their Chief Constable even posed with the Pup Group for a photo – and tweeted it!

We also had a chat with people from The Dog’s Trust before the parade, as they had a giant dog at their float.

It was also suggested that we form a Pride Rainbow out of the pups – so that was soon organised!

As we approached the start of the parade, a minutes silence was held in memory of those that had been affected by the events earlier in the week, and this was a very eerie moment. However, as soon as it was finished, the parade was underway.

The parade set off, following the same route as previous years, and as usual there was the usual good natured fun as we went down the streets. Thankfully, it wasn’t quite as busy as last year, but also the puppy group were still getting attention off the crowd.

Thankfully, the weather held out – although if the wind was blowing it could be kind of cool – but as usual, it was great fun to walk in the parade with everyone.

Enjoy the photos of the walk on this post – there will be another blog post to come from when Colin and I went in to the events in the village.

*woofs*

Spot

London Pride, June 2016

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Dec 272016
 

The 25th of June saw me participating in this year’s London Pride, leading the mixed walking group featuring Puppy Pride & Pup Social. This year, I was again accompanied by Caz and Wayne from E-Stim Systems, with Caz holding my lead while Colin was taking photographs.

With a change in starting point this year, we had to find our way to a different station on the Underground. As we were getting in to the lifts at Regent’s Park, a member of the public in the queue behind us recognised me from the TV documentary, so while waiting on the lift, and travelling up, we had a chat about pup stuff. Part of the reason for being so early was there had been a change in system this year, and walkers were to be issued Wristbands by the group organisers, so we arrived early to pick up our wrist bands.

Next on the agenda was to go and get some water and snacks for the duration of the wait and the walk to make sure we didn’t dehydrate etc. as we were walking around. As we wandered off to get a drink and a bite to eat in the nearest cafe, I was stopped on the way by someone who recognised me from the TV documentary again.

We assembled at the new starting point, and like usual, we waited… and waited… and waited. Eventually, the group set off down the road following the rest of the parade participants. Much like normal, this was very stop & start, but during the time a number of people watching at the sides kept recognising me and shouted at me, and that lasted the whole route.

As we finished, we gathered for a whole group shot of the pups that had participated, and it was at this point the sheer volume of pups & handlers that had participated became apparent with the size of the assembled group!

After goodbyes were said, we retired to town and Five Guys with me still in my pup outfit – it’s just a shame the O2 store I went in to had stopped the “Be More Dog” campaign!

Brighton Pride, August 2016

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Dec 242016
 

Way back in August, I joined the “Pups of the South” group for a visit to Brighton Pride. We weren’t walking in the parade, but we did watch a bit of it and have a wander around – as well as some time on the beach and on Brighton Pier.

It was a good day out and the weather was excellent, but there’s not that many photos from it unfortunately, but I’ve shared the few I do have here.

Thanks to everyone that organised the pup group and hope we can do it again!

*wags*

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