Last Saturday, I went with my human, Hsin-Yi, to attend the ‘Afternoon Tea’ held by STAR DOGS Grooming Spa & Dog Deli.
STAR DOGS had very kindly offered to fundraise for Outreach Therapy Pets at their event and we were there to represent the programme and tell people about the volunteer work that Therapy Pets do.
Here is me with other Therapy Doggies from my team!
It was very exciting – there were LOTS of dogs & people & children there and it was very noisy & crowded. Some of the dogs looked really stylish & amazing with their snazzy haircuts & spa treatments. There was even one little poodle who looked like a rainbow! 
Hsin-Yi was very proud of me because she is always a bit nervous taking me into cramped spaces with lots of strange dogs - you see, after I was badly attacked those 3 times (twice needing stitches!), I can sometimes get a bit grumpy when strange dogs come up to me when I am on a lead, because I get a bit scared that I might get attacked again. Also, a lot of dogs get very stroppy when they see me and make nasty faces at me or bark at me…I don’t know why! 
But I behaved really well that day – even when Hsin-Yi had to leave me alone in a Sit Stay for a long time - and most of the other dogs were friendly to me – so Hsin-Yi was very happy.
The best part, though, was that there were lots of yummies! The humans who own STAR DOGS also started a doggie deli, named after their Westie, Maggie… Miss Maggie’s Barkery & Dog Deli
…and they had baked the most delicious yummies especially for all their doggie guests - like muffins and cookies and cakes and treats!
But before I could taste any yummies, Hsin-Yi said they had asked us to show some of our Canine Freestyle “doggie dancing” so we had to give a demo. There wasn’t a proper music machine so Hsin-Yi just had to use the small box she carries in our car for our training sessions. It was not very loud and we had to just improvise to any music but nobody seemed to mind too much! 
Afterwards, lots of people came up to tell me that I was a clever girl and how much they liked my dancing – and best of all, I got lots of muffins!!
In fact, I worked out that if I sat very prettily near the nice girl who had the muffin tray, everyone who came up to get a muffin from her would feel sorry for me and ask if they could give me one too…
I scoffed several before Hsin-Yi realised what I was up to! Ha! 
Then I got very excited because I saw a lady drawing cartoon portraits of doggies! I wanted one too!
There were lots of doggies wanting their portrait done so I had to wait in the queue…
So in the meantime, I thought I’d select some goodies from the dog deli to take home…
Hmm, what shall I choose? There were so many amazing things, I didn’t know what to take! There were lamb wontons in cheesy pastry, fish chips with free-range eggs & flaxseed, peanut butter teddies with oats, apples and milk, dried venison sausage rolls, liver chip heart biscuits and even ‘chocolate labs’ made of carob!
(for any Auckland doggies who are reading this, you can go to Miss Maggie’s Barkery & Dog Deli to see the range of goodies and order online)
OK, now it was my turn to pose for my portrait…but it was quite hard to concentrate when there was a really scrumptious smelling cake on the table right beside my nose! Well, finally they got a piece just for me and promised me I could have it if I posed nicely…
And here is the finished work of art…Ta Da!
What do you think? Hsin-Yi says she loves it – that it really captures me and my goofy expression and long, floppy jowls (…she just missed off the drool! Hee! Hee!) We are so impressed and think the lady is so talented!
And of course, I finally got to eat my cake – hee! hee!
Well, after that it was time to go home…I didn’t even need a walk that day ‘coz I was so exhausted from all the excitement of the Afternoon Tea! (Hsin-Yi said I didn’t really need dinner either but I smooched up to Paul and convinced him that I was really starving – despite having consumed 17 muffins – and as usual, he is a soft touch! )
Oh, before I go – here is a little movie of my time at the Afternoon Tea – (Hsin-Yi says to please excuse her yelling at me in the movie but she was a bit harassed from trying to take photos AND video AND manage me in a cramped space with lots of strange doggies and children and people and yummies all at tempting nose height…Well, really! Considering all the time she spends with her stupid camera machine, I expect nothing less from her!)
*******
Oh! My heart is broken as I have just heard that my lovely friend, Mr Darcy, has lost his fight after his big operation and has crossed over the Bridge. It was a horrible shock as he seemed to be finally on the road to recovery. But he is at peace now and free from pain and suffering – and playing with friends at the Rainbow Bridge. Run Free, Mr Darcy – we shall always remember you . Please take time to stop by his blog to support his family – I cannot imagine what they are going through right now.
Mr Darcy
******
OK, first of all, those cupcakes were TINY! And I think they should have just given you the entire tray. Secondly, all that sitting must have been very tiring especially with dogs and people running around everywhere. You were very patient. And finally, what is with that poodle? Eeesh!
Slobbers,
Mango
P.S. My Mom’s an idiot (again). She was only giving me ONE antiobiotic with breakfast and she was supposed to give me 11! Good thing master straightened her out. So I guess it is the pain meds making me feel so frisky. I might even get back to dancing tonight.
Wow Honey, that’s a GREAT picture of you! It must be tough to be such a good girl all the time for your people. You do a great job and you deserved every one of those muffins.
Bolo
I was sorry to hear about Mr Darcy.
It sounds as if you had a lovely day at the doggy deli, and i thought the sketch was lovely.
Tell Hsin-Yi, thanks for calling by my blog to give me the link about using treats in training. I’m going to check it out now.
Hi Honey! Your afternoon tea party looked so fun! Lucky you getting all those muffins without your mom realizing what was happening! Congratulations on being such a good girl and getting along with the other dogs and the humans and even performing some of your dance moves. I am sure they will invite you back often and you can get even more treats and muffins!
Hey there Honey and Hsin-Yi
Thank you for sharing that amazing afternoon! It is so wonderful that you are able to do therapy work like that. You must NEVER be discouraged by anyone(!!!)…EVER! We think that it is important to remember that whatever good you do (no matter how small) is amplified in ways that you would never imagine.
You are an incredible team – only take on the encouragement!!!
A truly lovely post with beautiful pictures.
Muzzle wipes
MAXDOG IN SOUTH AFIRCA
What a lot of foooooooooooooood
but Sanne is trying to make our on cookies yummy
have a lovely day
kisses
El’bow and Hauwii
check out our blog soon because El’bow did agilty haha the video will be soon on the blog
Wow, that wall of doggie treats is amazing! I’m drooling just looking at the picture. I swear I can smell the yummies – (Momma told me I can’t smell over the internet, but what does she know… we doggies can smell very far away things…. jeesh.)
I wouldn’t have been able to concentrate with all the doggies and the cookies. You were a very good girl posing for your drawing.
woof – Tucker
Wow Honey what a fun day! Benjamin got to go to lots of events like that but because of rules he had to stay in his kennel for safety. It looks like a lot more fun to be out and running around, and eating lots!
You are such a good girl to stay and behave when your mom wanted you to. I am sorry to hear about your friend. We will stop by and say some kind words for his family. I can not imagine losing Boxen so I know how they must be feeling today.
Kisses
Bella
oh WE LOVED IT! Honey–you do the KEWLIST things! we like how you waited in line and sat pretty to get your portrait done–YES—WE LOVE THE DRAWING TOO!!! it does capture you perfectly!
we agree with your human that spending time with dogs is much more fun than drinking posionsous drinks and hitting balls with bats and shopping and wasting money—who cares if people think it is strange. they are obviously missing something fundamental in their lives….
love Guinness and saige
I am drooling just looking at all those delicious treats and goodies. You were so well behaved that you deserved all of them Honey. You have a nice group of therapy dog friends. Love the drawing of you.
Your friend,
Niamh
Honey, your portrait is wonderful! I’m glad you got delicious treats, too.
I am very sorry about your friend Mr. Darcy.
OH how awesome. What a fun day and you did soooo well. I love in the beginning of the video your big smile, too adorable.
I think the artist did a great job with portait. Sooo many yummy treats!
We are very sorry about Mr. Darcy and know how sad his family must be and have visited over there a few times. Thank you for sharing another of the multitude of things you do, HOney. What a vast array of talents you have! clearly, these people got a total kick out of your dance and your beautiful self. Good girl for hanging out! And those goodies looked very pupular too! Yumzers!
Hugs xo
Sammie
We think Honey was the prettiest girl there, except maybe for her human. We don’t think we’re that fond of rainbow colored poodles. Those hues are bothersome on a dog. Honey was a very good girl. She must be proud of her human for taking her to such a wonderful event!
What self restraint you have Honey! Standing in front of all those goodies would have driven us MAD!
Everyone obviously loved your dance routine and you’ve got the pitiful look down pat. No one could resist giving you just one more treat! Super cool day.
Wow Honey, I think you did fantastic considering how crazy it was in there!! I would have been crazy!!
I love that drawing of you. Wish I could have one, but that would be an awful long way to go to get one.
Jackal
What a fabulous deli! Wish we had one like that here.
Love the cartoon too!
We were so shocked to hear about Mr Darcy’s departure. But, perhaps we should think that it is a good thing for him, as he can run freely without pain now.
The shop you went to last Saturday looks cool!! We must ask our humans to take us there! We are not sure if we can behave well, like you Honey, without stealing food from the shelves, though.
We love your portrait! You could make your own logo or something using that picture!
Yes, we are sad about Mr. Darcy, too. So sad to have such a good buddy go before us to the Bridge.
Looks like you had a super-fun Saturday! You are such a good girl. We love your new portrait!
wuv,
Gus and Waldo
Mmmm….. muffins. I think you should have gotten the whole tray since you were such a good puppy! Really. Tell Hsin-Yi I said that and see if it gets you anywhere. Give her the sad eyes look at the same time.
Play bows,
Zim
Another great outing fur woo two beaWOOties!
Tank woo fur sharing all that fun with us!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
What great tea party you had!! You are so clever next to stand by the lady with the tray of treats! I’m sure your dancing with your mom was great as always!! We LOVE your picture! Your mom will love it!
MMmmm Now I’m hungry…
Licks,
Kylie
Honey, you get to go to some really awesome events. And you were such a good girl. You deserved all 17 muffins and more. We loved the caricature that lady did of you but you are much more beautiful than on paper:)
Tail wags, the OP Pack
Sorry about Mr. Darcy.
He looks like a sweet one.
That portrait of you is so cool Honey and what great work for therapy Pets! I can’t believe you got so many yummy treats! Needless to say, I am jealous!
I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the pics and video of you playing with Raffy! She WAS like a mini-me of you.
It was super sweet how she would put her paw on you and try to lay/sit with you on the bed. What a bouncy little Tigger she is too….hope you get to play with her again soon and teach her lots of important things! 
Kisses,
Nala
Hi, Honey!
I am so sad to know about Mr. Darcy.
Your drawing is pawesome! I love it!
Sure you had a great time there!
Looking at the treats made me drool!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza
What a great outing. 17 muffins and you still got dinner! I’m so proud of you!
Hsin-Yi always picks the BEST music for the videos! I can tell you were a super hit with the crowd Honey, they LOVED your shoulder shimmey!
We’re sad about Mr. Darcy as well… he had a beautiful soul.
Hney. That was really cool. What a great day. You were sooper dooper good with the chaos all around. I’d be a terrible terrier. Hope my Mom doesn’t watch this.
Wiry wags n kisses Eric xxxx
Honey,
Mom actually trained the opposite with me (kind of on accident). If Mom says Wait I know I’m not supposed to move until she comes back to get me. When Mom was little, that is how her aunt helped her train her first dog and it kind of stuck with her. She didn’t realize she was backwards until me and my little brother Indie both knew it that way.
Since Mom wants to be a trainer, she said she will teach others the correct way and just not use me for a demo dog!
Hugs and Tail Wags,
Dixie
Yay for a good days, good experiences and good causes. We should try to do more cool stuff like you do!
Wow Honey…..what a cool day you had…..but then, you’re always busy doing something exciting!
Those treats made us drooooool BIGTIME!
Anyway, we came by to say that we’re sorry we haven’t been visiting much lately…..but we’re gradually getting our catching up done!
Yesterday Scottie’s Mum told us we were in Dogs Today…..so this morning Mum went out and got it (it wasn’t in the shops until today) and she wants to tell Hsin-Yi thank you so much for including us in such a great article….and how cool to see Nala in it too! We are of course very proud and have been telling everyone
So we’ll hopefully be back again soon……have fun Honey!
Slobbers….from Snoop, Alfie, Gabbi & Rosie xxxx
Oh….and we’re so very sorry to hear about your dear friend xx
Whoa. You’re one big dog. I bet you get to eat a lot more than I do. I’m impressed with your blog. How do you get so many comments?! I am in awe. Come by my blog sometime: bunsensbark.blogspot.com You Aussie and New Zealand dogs rock. I found out about you by reading Penny’s dog blog. I wish my human would take me to all of the cool stuff you guys do! I guess I’ll live vicariously through your blogs.
“Vicariously” is a big word. Man. Didn’t even know I knew it. -BGM
Hi Honey. Long time no bark. Sorry we has been absent, mummy has a silly new jobbie making her busy.
We were so sorry to hear about Mr Darcy, we never knew him but he looked like a very lovely doggie.
You has been very busy on your day out, it looked brilliant.
We was all reading an article your human wrote for dogs today magazine the other night, with out blog furiends Nala and the Dughalmorr Beagles quoted! We are also one of those “untrainable” breeds, who not be motivated by treats, toys or praise, we be motivated by our instincts and that be it. So we really enjoyed your article. Someone said to my mummy the other week “we loves our dogs for what they are, not what they are not” and mummy agreed. We might not be the most obediant doggies, but we might just be the cuddliest! BOL:)
Anyway it was a great read, so say thanks to your human please!
Love Scottyxxxx
What a fantastic afternoon tea. Weren’t you clever to work out how to get extra treats? And I think you deserved them because of all the good work you do. You enrich people’s lives everyday, so what’s 17 or so muffins between friends?
Very sorry to hear about your friend Mr Darcy, my heart goes out to his family. Think of him running happily and free of pain over the bridge x
Hi Honey
We were so upset to read about Mr Darcy too. We really enjoyed his blog and also the fact that he cared for someone with autism as well. It must be very difficult for his family at the moment.
Well done on your day at the Star Dogs afternoon tea party.
take care
Clive
I got a comment from HONEY!! HOORAY! Honey has the best dog blog AND website EVER…she’s a real famous dog.
Honey’s been in magazines and all sorts of stuff. Man, I have a far way to go. And she’s a ballroom dancer. I could never be so graceful…could I?
I think I was meant to be a Great Dane…I mean, I’m a Dane on the inside. But my legs won’t cooperate; they stopped growing too soon. I’m kinda goofy and flop-eared, does that count? Honey is a friskerbabe.
I think I might be in love…but there’s so much distance between us. How can we overcome the obstacles?
I’ll just have a crush on you from afar. If only they’d let dogs fly in the cabin–in the First Class cabin. It’s not right. -BGM
Honey, thanks for taking us along to the tea party. You were so well-behaved and ladylike. I don’t think I would have been a very good boy with so much going on around me. I’m so glad the other doggies were nice to you so you could enjoy yourself. And those muffins! OMG, do they look delicious. Your reward for being such a good girl.
But mostly, good for you for being on the Outreach Therapy Pets Team. What an important thing to do.
xox
Chef
Lots of other dogs, kids and muffins!!!!!!!!! What a day! You and all the other therapy dogs do such important work. Good on ya. I’m sorry to hear about your friend.
It’s great to see you Honey.
Ruby Isabella.
P.S. Did it ever cross your mind to jump up and get the whole tray?
I think that Brody and I are going to have to sign up with outreach aswell…. I have been thinking about it for a while!
And I LOVE the cartoon of Honey, I would love to get one of Brody!!
Kelly