
The Pet Expo was brillant fun - so many dogs, okay so many animals - and lots of friends to meet! We loved meeting Nano - an Irish Wolfhound and Therapy Dog.
'Splorin' Wolfies - we were thinking of you!

Remember Jack, the adorable little puppy in training we met a few weeks ago at the Irish Guide Dogs Calendar launch - well, we met him again and couldn't believe how big he had grown in only three weeks!

We met a lovely greyhound from Kerry Greyhound Connection

and as we were walking past some stands when the not-so-little man got a bit distracted!!

Hens, no please - don't bring home some hens!

and then he found a parrot!

and he really loved this parrot - three guesses why??? Yes, his yellow chest!!

Luckily some Irish dancing was going on and we went over to see what was happening.
Honey - we were thinking of you as we watched this lady and her dog do an Irish jig!

We met Bubba and Harley - two wonderful Harlequin Great Danes that work with Peata as Therapy Dogs. We had met Bubba last December as a fundraising service for Guide Dogs in Pepper Canister Church and it was lovely to see Bubba and her brother again. They are the most gentle dogs - it made us think of
Mr Darcy's family - we hope they're doing okay.

Here's another dog in training from IGDB - nearly ready to go back down to the Training Centre in Cork - Murray's Mom can't remember his name (sorry!!) but we'll find it later this morning!

We also met this huge St Bernard - Monty who is the mascot for
The Irish Blue Cross - the animal welfare charity. Monty was amazing - he weighs over 14 stone! He is a rescue dog and his owner said he was rescued from horrible circumstances but just look at him now!

We also enjoyed meeting Setanta - a Scottish Deerhound that works with Irish Therapy Dogs. One of the things that Setanta is involved in is helping children with autism in a special reading programme. He goes along to schools and sits among the children helping them to concentrate, stay on task and enjoy their storytime more.
We were delighted to meet up with Ooki - another Assistance Dog and a black goldendoodle with his young man Daniel and his sister Emily. Emily recently had her birthday and asked all her friends to donate to Irish Guide Dogs instead of giving her presents. She collected over €250 for Irish Guide Dogs. Well done, Emily!

Here's another friend we met - Joseph - holding up the Irish Guide Dogs calendar he had just bought!

and Joseph with his Mom Michelle. We know Michelle and Eleanor (Daniel's Mom) and Claire (AJ's Mom) through our Facebook page. It was really special to be able to meet up with some of the friends that we have made through the Irish Autism Action Facebook group.

Meeting AJ and his Mom, Claire.
We had a great time at Pet Expo 2009 - we chatted to lots of people and explained about the Assistance Dog Programme and what we do and how we do it!
Murray loved his afternoon - he likes to 'work' for Irish Guide Dogs and his sister enjoyed visiting the Expo with her two friends and their dog, Coco!
Coco and I get on really well with - I regard her as a little 'mini' version of me!

Thanks again to everyone we met on Saturday who came along to support Irish Guide Dogs and the Assistance Dog Programme!