Dog lovers at care homes in the south embraced a happy day of activities in honour of man’s best friend.
Residents, families and team members at Colten Care homes in Hampshire and Dorset celebrated National Dog Day in the company of furry friends old and new.
The day is an annual event designed to raise awareness of dogs in rescue centres and shelters and to encourage people to consider offering them forever homes.
At Woodpeckers, Colten Care’s Brockenhurst care home, residents Jeannie Hilton, Dawn Pearson and Pamela Neal used the occasion to champion their support for the Dog’s Trust Lymington.
They collected clothing donations from staff and fellow residents, made dog bandanas and prepared a hamper of dog treats, all for the Trust to sell in its shop, so helping to raise funds for dog welfare efforts.
Dawn said: “It makes us proud to do our bit to help this amazing charity.”
Meanwhile, Colten Care’s Lymington home Court Lodge held a light-hearted dog show enjoyed by residents, families, team members and of course their pets.
Categories included ‘Best Looking’, ‘Best Behaved’ and ‘Best Trick’ while guests joined in a singalong of ‘How Much Is That Doggy In The Window?’.
The top honour, ‘Most Liked’, went to regular Court Lodge visitor Ruby.
In Dorset, Colten Care’s Poole care homes Canford Chase, The Aldbury and Bourne View and Bournemouth home Avon Cliff all held events in honour of National Dog Day.
Canford Chase staff awarded rosettes to canine competitors in a race and waggiest tail competition.
At The Aldbury, the focus was on Roxy, a Yorkie-dachshund cross and visitor to the home for more than eight years.
Companionship Team Leader Sue Miles said: “Roxy often comes out on garden walks with residents, nudging people to throw her ball.
“She’s particularly fond of jumping on Joyce Holden’s lap when Joyce is sitting in our salon having her hair done.
“Roxy entertains us all with tricks such as twirling around on her back legs and rolling over at command.
“We presented her with a lovely rosette medal to thank her for her service and cuddies over the years.”
Paws were on parade at Bourne View in a dog show with categories such as ‘Cutest’ and ‘Best Listener’.
And residents and staff at Abbey View in Sherborne also invited regular canine visitors to a party in their honour.
Colten Care’s two Winchester homes, Abbotts Barton and St Catherines View, enjoyed doggy fun too.
Abbotts Barton held a community dog walk joined by Stephanie Walker from Winchester Hospice, the home’s charity of the year, with her dog Silver.
At St Catherines View, a dementia care home, dog-loving residents welcomed a team of specially trained therapy dogs who helped prompt conversations about pets in the past.
