Introducing Benson, a Scruffts Golden Oldie

Mum adopted me through Heathlands Animal Sanctuary after I was found wandering the streets and I made myself right at home as soon as I arrived! I soon won her over with my confidence and happiness and devotion.

The following year, the Sanctuary had a fete and dog show and she decided to support the cause. I won a red rosette in my first ever class and became "The Dog with the Waggiest Tail". Well, she was then bitten by the showing bug and since I'm a natural show-off who loves attention I didn't mind at all! She'd heard about Scruffts having seen it on the posh version, Crufts, a few years before and then happened to see in the local paper that for the first time ever they were holding a heat a few miles away from us at an All About Dogs day at Nottcutts Garden Centre. (Details of heats can also be found via the Kennel Club website at www.scruffts.org.uk - Mum.) Personally, I think it also had a lot to do with the fact she had a crush on Peter Purves, the judge, when she was a pup but she denies this! So we simply turned up on the day and entered and I won my class as a Golden Oldie.

Winning our Scruffts heat qualified us for the finals at Earls Court and we took some friends along last year and enjoyed the day so much that we had to try again this year to get the free entry to Discover Dogs! Luckily I did. It's meant that I've also appeared in local newspapers (I do like photographers coming round because I get lots of fuss and treats, even if it makes Mum feel like a dog's PR agent!) and many local children have recognised me which I really enjoy but Mum has warned me about the dangers of groupies and I don't let it go to my head. Much.

I've also won Veteran classes at Bedfordshire County Show and been judged Scruffiest Dog at another rescue centre's open day. but I think Mum's proudest of my Scruffts achievements.