website newsletter   Rovers Return! The Battersea Dogs Home reunion was held on Sunday 9th September, and was a fabulous success! The annual Reunion - which marked its 7th year this weekend - attracted around 1,800 dogs, who all brought along their owners for a fun day out. Spectators were treated to stunning displays from the Essex Dog Display Team and Elaine Hill’s duck and goose herding team, and all were fed and watered by the impressive selection of dog and human refreshment stalls. Competitions ran all day, including Dog Fancy Dress (won by “George” the Springer Spaniel from Faversham in Kent) and Bonniest Bitch and Dandiest Dog, judged by Paul O’ Grady and Josh Rafter from Big Brother - accompanied by his very own Battersea dog, Bailey. The proceedings were brought to a fitting end with a Dogs’ Tea Party and Giant Balloon Release, although sadly there were not enough leftovers for doggy bags. We hope that, apart from providing a fun day out for all the wonderful families who have given homes to our dogs, this event will help to raise awareness of the work that we do at Battersea Dogs Home.   MISSING!! Name: Scruffy Breed: Skye Terrier Colour: White (but peeling a bit ‘round the edges) Age: 72!   One of Battersea Dogs Home’s most oldest and famous residents was stolen recently - but the big difference between this and our other 500- odd residents is that this one is inanimate!   “Scruffy” is one of a pair of statues who have faithfully guarded the entrance to the Home since 1929, and are well known as local landmarks. It was forcibly removed from outside the gates, leaving only a pile of rubble. It is thought to be a copy of a statue by a favourite artist of Queen Victoria, modelled on one of her favourite dogs.   We immediately reported the theft to the authorities, and have the antiques world on the lookout for the statue. Although Scruffy is of purely sentimental value to the Home, everyone is upset at the loss of a part of our heritage. If you happen to see Scruffy, please ask him to come home… or call 020 7622 3626 and let us know!   Paws for thought Battersea’s summer advertising campaign proved a great success, and we had calls from all over the capital from people who had spotted the posters! As part of the campaign, now fondly known as “Paws For Thought”, we appealed for a couple of people to come and “swap” places with a dog for a day. The aim of this ‘dog’s eye view’ challenge was to draw attention to the campaign messages at a time when most families are making their holiday plans, and to encourage them to make proper arrangements for their pets when they go on holiday.   The response was fantastic, with around 80 people calling in offering to help with the appeal, which appeared in London’s Evening Standard. Following a gruelling audition at the Royal Military Police headquarters, Gareth Fox (20) and Toni Allen (39), were all set to undergo a day at Battersea….as dogs.   Beginning with their arrival at the Home in one of the “animal ambulances” on Thursday July 5th, the volunteers experienced the same checks, assessments and care as that of a real-life stray. Their day included a check up by a veterinary nurse and a grooming session in the sink in the grooming room. Finally, they were settled in to a kennel of their own, complete with dog bowls and blankets.   The media coverage was wide ranging, from TV to newspapers and magazines, and really helped us to get the message across… when you go on holiday please make sure your dog is properly cared for!   Christmas is coming…   Battersea Dogs Home has it’s own EXCLUSIVE Christmas card range this year - and they are selling FAST!   If you’d like a brochure of Christmas cards, please e-mail us at [email protected] with your name and address, and we’ll send you a brochure in the post.   Duncan Green Director General   Watch this space..... we are relaunching our website in the spring - if you have any great ideas for us email [email protected]