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Onehouse dog show raises £650 for BarkAid charity




A dog show has taken the lead by bringing pooch lovers together to raise nearly £650 for charity.

BarkAid hosted its first dog show event on Saturday at The Lakehouse Café in Onehouse, near Stowmarket, which saw around 60 canines attend.

Owners entered their pets into 10 different classes including best trick, fabulous fella, loveliest lady, golden oldie, waggiest tail and these winners were then judged for overall best in show.

The Atkinson family with Hugo the dog. Picture: Mecha Morton
The Atkinson family with Hugo the dog. Picture: Mecha Morton
The dog show took place on Saturday at The Lakehouse Cafe in Onehouse. Picture: Mecha Morton
The dog show took place on Saturday at The Lakehouse Cafe in Onehouse. Picture: Mecha Morton
The show had 10 different classes including best trick, fabulous fella, loveliest lady, golden oldie and waggiest tail. Picture: Mecha Morton
The show had 10 different classes including best trick, fabulous fella, loveliest lady, golden oldie and waggiest tail. Picture: Mecha Morton

This year, that award went to best trick winner Sky who wowed the judges with a show stopping ‘play dead’ routine.

BarkAid founder Sarah Wells said: “We are really over the moon with how much we were able to raise.

“Everyone was so generous and it was just lovely to see so many people having fun.

Best in show winner, Sky. Picture: BarkAid
Best in show winner, Sky. Picture: BarkAid
Chris Burrows with Ellie (8) , Oscar (5) and Lola the dog. Picture: Mecha Morton
Chris Burrows with Ellie (8) , Oscar (5) and Lola the dog. Picture: Mecha Morton
Ashlea Swonnell with Winifred and Doris. Picture: Mecha Morton
Ashlea Swonnell with Winifred and Doris. Picture: Mecha Morton

“I’m not the biggest fan of dog shows because, in my book, every dog deserves a trophy - there’s no way I could have been a judge.”

The event raised £648 and all proceeds will go to the BarkAid charity which was set up to support smaller volunteer-based dog charities which have limited resources.

It also provides education and helps owners learn how to effectively take care of their pets.

The trophies were made by Mango Glass and the event also featured a raffle, dog shopping stalls, Bury St Edmunds vet clinic and a ‘have a go’ agility course.

The trophies were made by Mango Glass. Picture: BarkAid
The trophies were made by Mango Glass. Picture: BarkAid
Sky with her owner Freya. Picture: BarkAid
Sky with her owner Freya. Picture: BarkAid
BarkAid founder Sarah Wells said the event brought dog lovers together. Picture: Mecha Morton
BarkAid founder Sarah Wells said the event brought dog lovers together. Picture: Mecha Morton
There was also a ‘have a go’ agility course. Picture: Mecha Morton
There was also a ‘have a go’ agility course. Picture: Mecha Morton

The charity is hoping to run similar events in the future and for more information, you can click here to see BarkAid’s Instagram page.

Sarah would like to thank all the volunteers involved and added: “It’s lovely for the community too - when you’ve got a dog, everyone talks to each other and it breaks down so many barriers.

“It’s really nice to get out in the fresh air with like-minded people who all absolutely love dogs.”