For a family Saturday experience, we did something a bit different, and this was a new experience for me also. There is a "pet fair" going on here and they had pet shows, with judging, as well as agility and petting.
The first thing I noticed when going in was the crowd. We got there at the start of the event because in the schedule the dachshunds (sausage dogs) were right at the start, and that is pretty much all we are interested in patting. However, there was a "bit of a line" just to park, as these things are popular!
But, the crowd itself was predominantly of a certain kind of people. I am not sure what that kind of people are, but they weren't the kind that I normally would spend my time with. I don't even know how to describe it but when I mentioned to my wife that there was "something" she said, it has always been this way.
I think perhaps a precursor group to "crazy cat lady" might sum it up.
It wasn't only cats and dogs either. For instance, there were "crazy hedgehog lady" groups also.
Her shirt reads;
Finnish Hedgehog Association"
And this being Finland where they have a government for everything, I bet there is a hedgehog chairman, vice chairman, secretary, board....
hahahha...
I just went to their website.
I forgot the treasurer, head of IT, growth manager and of course, the hedgehog registry officer.
There were other animals too, like gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets, snakes, spiders...
They also had rats and rat agility. I don't know if you have ever seen this, but they have some wooden obstacles on a large table and the rat owner pushes and drags their rat racer through the course, whilst it is being timed. Once it finishes, the rat owner picks the little fella up and gives it a lot of hugs and kisses, before putting it into a box and drawing our their next racer to tackle the course.
I have a feeling that the IQ might be tested against their owners.
Anyways...
There were a lot of bunnies there too of various breeds and some of them were keen for a pat. They seemed to really enjoy the attention and pats and everyone I saw treated them with a lot of care. Like all the animals here.
One of the things in Finland is that for the most part, pets are very well looked after because they have to be kept inside, since the winters are so extremely cold. There are no "strays" though there are a few cats that make a living through the winter, but not many. Dogs are also well trained here for the most part, or at least, have been socialized so they are normally okay around other dogs.
There was also "Bunny Agility" which was as expected... a little less controlled than the dogs and, a whole lot cuter. And again, they really seemed to be enjoying the jumping and even when they weren't competing, were playing around the hurdles.
That'll do Bunny. That'll do.
The crowds swelled while we were there and after about three hours and an ice cream, we were done and decided to go into the city for a bit of lunch and then home for a nap.
Weekend naps are the best.
My family (2 out of 3) have some puppy fever, so this didn't really help matters, however I would like to hold off getting another dog until Smallsteps is able to take more care of it. At the moment, she isn't even able to walk herself to school alone, but that is coming. In a few years and hopefully after a holiday or two travelling, I think I would be ready again.
Luckily though, we do get to dogsit and next weekend we have a scheduled dachshund puppy coming to stay with us again. He is only about eight months old and is a bit of a cutie pie, so he can have naps with me too!
Are you a "crazy pet person" ?
What is your pet of choice?
Taraz
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