Nursing home residents entertained with fun dog show

A FUN dog show was held at a care home in Sonning Common to entertain the residents.

About 30 residents of Abbeycrest in Essex Way watched as more than 10 dogs competed for prizes.

The dogs had to navigate an obstacle course with hurdles, hoops, slalom poles and pools of water.

There were also prizes for prettiest girl, best trick and best dressed dog.

These were presented by Toni Ilsley who runs Charlie’s Dog Place, a dog daycare centre in Kennylands Road set up in memory of her son Charlie who died of a brain tumour in 2020, aged 13.

Two of the prizes were won by Wren, a border collie, who was brought along by her owner Carole Hunt, from Henley.

Ms Hunt said: “She won prettiest girl and best trick. She practices her tricks all the time. She does a medley of different things. She does a spin and twist, a rollover, a paw in hand and goes through the legs. She does five minutes every day, little and often. We like to come to dog shows when we can, especially local ones.”

The event was organised by George King, sales manager at the home who bought his own dog Dotty. He said: “Initially it was one of those things to get residents into the fresh air and most people love a dog.

“We got the residents up and out, having a bit of a giggle and a laugh. This will hopefully progress on to other, more regular things.”

Best dressed dog was Bella, a King Charles cavalier who had been dressed up like a princess by her owner Sasha Boonwaat, from Bracknell.

Bella has a growing social media presence and is set to feature in Lost in Puppyville, a film written by children’s author David M Rivers.

Ms Boonwaat said: “We go to all the fun shows we can and we came here just to brighten everyone’s morning.”

Mrs Ilsley was selling dog products, including shampoo, and copies of her book, Never Give Up, about her son’s battle with cancer.