But PLEASE obey these common sense rules.

Be considerate of other people, especially children and frail or elderly people and if necessary put your dog on a leash.

Being considerate is a two way street. Don't panic or freak out if another dog barks at you (or your dog) or decides to indulge in some boisterous "play" . Show a bit of tolerance. It's always better to carry on calmly walking than to stop and fuss or shout: that generally hypes up an already excited dog and/or makes it think there's some kind of territorial or heirarchy dispute going on .....which it will happily get stuck into!

Remember some people really ARE frightened of dogs, especially big aggressive-looking ones like Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Alsatians or Belgian Shepherds. You mak know your pet is a silly old softie, but the other person may not be inclined to believe that and may be really scared by a large, barking dog off the leash.

Always restrain your dog near ....

Young children

Frail or elderly people

Cyclists

Horse riders

Farm animals, such as the sheep at Alice Holt Lodge

and when on roads carrying vehicular traffic ,such as the A325 or the Gravel Hill Road

Bears of course habitually poo in the woods....and so do dogs...it's natural. And it's actually not a big problem if your dog does it's business in the undergrowth in a lesser walked part of the woods.

But PLEASE clean up dog mess.....

On paths

On mown grass verges

Anywhere in the visitor Centre or car parks, ESPECIALLY where kids play

Picking up poo in a plastic bag is great .But do NOT pick up dog poo, then leave it tied in a plastic bag on the grass. Unbelievably some silly people do this. It merely means somebody has to clean up a particularly noxious peace of litter and it delays the natural breakdown of the faeces. If you've been good enough to pick up the poo, be good enough to take it away and put it in the first bin you find.

With a little common sense and tolerance the Forest is big enough to contain both non-dog lovers and those walking dogs.

It can even accommodate a few inveterate "canine terrorists", such as the notorious terrible twosome Oscar and Trigger, yapping scourges of those seeking a peaceful walk in the Lodge Inclosure!

A typically "robust discussion" between Jack Russells Oscar and Trigger

PETE & JO's TRIP TO THE ARCTIC : THE EVIDENCE!

Yes! They did it. It's was a long, hard trek northwards from Norway over 200km of wild Arctic tundra for Jo Balls and Peter Stubbings (Perhaps better known in their everyday personas: she as Organiser of the annual fete/all round Action-Woman and he as the Landlord of the Cedars Pub) . So why would two sane people (even two in such a peak state of physical fitness as Jo and Peter) subject themselves to such a gruelling ordeal? Sleeping in an ice-building with 5 days of overland sledding in sub-zero temperatures ,in the company of a pack of distictly rough-and-tough looking pooches is hardly a stroll in the park, even for an ardent dog lover.

It was all in a good cause. Battersea Dogs Home (Actually Battersea Cats and Dogs Home) has cared for over three million lost, homesless, sick or mistreated dogs and cats since its foundation nearly 150 years ago. Every year this world famous institution looks after more than 11,000 animals. It's an unrivalled centre of excellence in vetinary science and the treatment and rehabilitation of animals which have severe behavioural problems due to maltreatment and other traumas. They have an amazing success rate in re-uniting lost pets with their owners, and in finding secure and loving homes for unwanted pets.

But all this costs money: as well as a small army of 240 volunteers there are 260 paid staff who look after everything from dog walking to administration, kennel cleaning to maintenance and vetinary treatment to washing the 1000 blankets the Home gets through every day.

It costs an average of £1000 to care for each animal and the Home is entirely funded by charitable donations.

• £5 buys a shot of anti-biotics.
• £50 will provide a day's feed for 100 dogs
• £500 will buy a quiet portacabin where frightened or nervous dogs can be gradually calmed down after their traumatic experiences.

Jo and Peter are already half way to their target of raising £8000 for the Battersea Dog and Cats Home. So why not sponsor them by clicking on the link below They leave on 23rd March, so please give now to help them reach the £8000 target in time. And remeber by giving via this "justgiving" link the charity receives and additional 28% refund directly from that nice Mr Darling at Number 11 provided you are a UK Tax Payer.

Visit

justgiving.com/peterstubbingsandjoballs

ON BEHALF OF JO AND PETER : THANKS FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

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Binsted Fete Pet Dog Show: Results and Pictures

For many years the Dog Show has been an integral part of Binsted Fete, attracting many entrants from far afield as well as Binsted Parish itself. This was the 42nd Pet Dog Show. For many years it was organised by the Late Patience Hensman, and is now now kindly organised by Sue and Ron Sergeant.

With thanks to sponsors Burn's Holistic Dog Foods; Springfields Nursery, Oakhanger;J.R.Luff (The Mill Lane Farm Shop, Headley) ; Hiscock's Pet Shop, Liphook

Best Veteran (Over 7 years old)
1 Helen Warner & Buddy
2 Caroline Hastings & Sooty
3 Laura Smith & Lucy

Best Pure Breed
1 Dolina Mackenzie-Williams & Daystar (Samoyed)
2 Christina Trnko & Eddie (Tibetan Terrier)
3 Ron Jones & Looby Loo (Labrador)

Best Cross Breed
1 Katie Baldry & Daisy
2 Eddie McCathie & Ronnie
3 Susan Crocker & Holly

Best Rescue
1 Gavin Lane & Ozzy
2 Alan Hilton & Maisie
3 Anne Denny & Jess

Most Handsome Dog
1 Barry Parker & Winston
2 Datyl Ware & Rionagg
3 Alice Nairn & Flint

Prettiest Bitch
1 Lucy Primmer & Molly
2 Freddie Benham-Crosswell & Tiger Lily
3 Val Salmons & Pixie

Best Local
1 Andy Riddell & Juno
2 Gordon Briggs & Martha
3 Vicki Macray & Iris

Best Groomed by Owner
1 Helen Bates & Biddy
2 Diana Curtis-Ellery & Harlow
3 Anne Denny & Jess

Best Professionally Groomed
1 Helen Ware & Molly
2- Not awarded
3- Not awarded

Best Condition
1 Christine Healy & Sam
2 Diana Curtis-Ellery & Harlow
3 Susan Crocker & Holly

Waggiest Tail
1 Christine Bagley & Bartie
2 Diana Curtis-Ellery & Harlow
3 Katie Baldry & Daisy

SPECIAL CENTENARY CLASS (Winner of Engraved Photo Frame) BEST DRESSED DOG AND/OR OWNER
1 Barry Parker & Winston
2 Susan Crocker & Holly
3 - Not awarded

OVERALL BEST IN SHOW (Hensman Cup) Dolina Mackenzie-Williams & Daystar

RESERVE BEST IN SHOW Katie Baldry & Daisy

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ALICE HOLT DOG PHOTO COMPETITION WINNER!

Well we didn't have so many entries, but here are the best of them.

Winner Laura Smith of Bucks Horn Oak gets a bag of James Wellbeloved dogfood for this shot of Maisie, pictured here enjoying herself in the mud!

My dog Maisie loves to go on walks in Alice Holt Forest, it's her absolutely her most favorite thing to do in the world. We go to the other side of Alice Holt where it is a little bit quieter, and she can run free and get as wet and muddy as she likes; as you can see by the photo! We love to walk her there because it makes her so happy, we can all run around freely without a care in the world. It is so lovely at anytime of year, we see lots of wildlife including deer. We are very lucky to live in the middle of Alice Holt Forest as we can go there when ever we want!

From Laura Smith (aged 13)

And here are some other great entries we received:Somewhere we've got a lovely photo of Teddy the Long Haired/Border Collie Cross in the snow, but it's currently lost in the filing system: We'll dig it out if we can. Many thanks to all who sent pictures....please keep them coming

Bruno the Alsatian (Left) and Carlos the Labrador Spaniel Cross (Right)

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