West End Woofs

Just spent a lovely morning at West End Woofs in Covent Garden. It was a perfect day weather wise and they didn't let hundreds of people in so it was quite comfortable. I got there quite early so had a good chance to meet all the doggies from the different charities before the actual show. I fell in love with a lovely little dog called Kipper who was a Romanian rescue dog. As I am seriously thinking of getting a dog when I retire later this year it gave me some good contacts especially as they were all smaller charities who probably don't get a lot of attention.
The world and its wife west end wise were there and it was quite surreal walking amongst them and not watching them so to speak.
The main "show" was presented by Elaine Paige and Bernadette Peters. The downside was I was expecting this bit to be in the church so didn't rush to the church entrance and then realised they were going to do the whole thing outside so I was towards the back and although I could see the heads of everyone couldn't see the doggies as most were on the floor. (But I did get a good look earlier).
Started with Bernadette and Elaine singing Old Friends and gradually the rest of the actors joined them in the song and then the cast from each west end show came on to represent one of the charities and talk about each of the dogs.
We had pratically the whole of Les Mis there including Bonnie and Jac, Phantom, Hamilton (including Trevor Dion Nicholas), Sister Act (including Lesley Joseph and Lizzie B), Hello Dolly, Kiss Me Kate (including Charlie Stemp and Stephanie J Block) a couple of Downton Abbey cast and 4 American actresses over for a play at Hammersmith I think. I don't remember their names but one was in The Marvelous Mrs Maizel.
Biggins also popped up and was his usual smutty self talking about EP;s pussy - he never fails to entertain.
For most of the show I was standing next to Stephanie J Block, her husband and daughter and had no idea who she was until she appeared next to Charlie Stemp.
I did get to say hello to Jac Yarrow who was with his mum and dad to tell him how good he was in Les Mis last night and his parents looked so proud when I was talking to him.
At the end they were selling signed West End Woof posters so managed to get one. I have no idea who has signed it as its always impossible to read signatures but I can definately recognise Bernadette's, the rest is anyone's guess but its lovely to have and added to the charities coffers.
Worn out from all the standing but it really was a lovely day and I will hopefully soon have a little rescue doggie.

How does this work exactly? Were the dogs up for rehoming actually there? As a dog lover, I'm a bit concerned that anyone would go up to a pooch and say, ooh, he's nice, I'll have this one. I always assumed that matching up a rescue dog with a potential owner took a lot of care and research.

It's going to be carnage on the day for sure. I really am no dog lover but I trust not.

Far from it. Very civilised and the dogs (and a couple of kittens) were very well behaved and loved all the attention.

It's the same poster from last year

This will become an annual event and I predict, as long as she can, we'll be seeing Ms Peters in London this time, every year.