I also voted for Harriet, a very deserving winner.

I have a bit of an issue with the war zone dogs really, and I have to say Freds Mum you have an interesting slant on it as to how much they may have kept the troops going and what the emotional attachment might be. Whether it was actually kind to bring the dogs back here is another thing for me, I'm afraid. I think I'd probably say that the money spent bringing those two back would have been better spent neutering as many as possible and leaving them in their own environment.

Certainly not sure it was kind to take the male(?) in to that big ring environment when it would appear from the brief film we were shown that he seems a bit of a loaded cannon - at various points he had a tape muzzle, and was shown being walked in an open environment with two leads, which I assume was for safety?

M.

Think the taped muzzle was probably a precausionary (sp) measure. Same as some dogs need muzzling at the vets when having an injection - doesnt mean they're nasty dogs, its just sensible if you think the dog may react to a strange environement. Do agree about neutering dogs, but i also live near the dogs and have seen them playing on the beach together with thier new owners (the guy who brought them back and his wife) they are lovely dogs and it is very nice for a story to have a happy ending. We all know what its like to come home from a hard days at work to a kiss and a cuddle from our dogs and the 2 dogs did exactly that for the troops. A happy distraction and something to love and be loved.
You could say the viszla doesnt actually do anything physical to help the little girl, but in terms of emotional help he has brought her on leaps and bounds and given her the confidence...same as the dogs did for the troops.
In my eyes they all deserved to win (i'd be a rubbish judge wouldn't i?!)

i cant stop laughing when they show the feature each night (mind not as bad as last year when i had to sit through the whole thing live in the main ring)....it was so drawn out, cheesy and awful and you should have heard the comments from others sitting in my section!!! one well known international BIS judge was in stitches next to me because like me she thought it was so ludicrous!!The newfy....what a hoot you see it walking round with a bucket of apples or a watering can but what on earth is the point? are they suggesting it picked the apples or put the water in the can? of course not. its just a gimmick. I have a hound that carries a log home on each walk but he is yet to learn how to use an axe or light the fire!!!

I didnt think it was anything to laugh at personally speaking.  No idea what the BIS judge is on ~ how can anyone not be moved by those stories.
I thought they all did a marvelous job.  They were all there for different reasons and so deserving of it too.  I dont think they suggested for a minute that the Newf climbed the tree and picked the apples itself!!
As for gimmicks ~ well if "gimmicks" can help someone through their day to day life then bring it on ~ more dogs with gimmicks for those needing help i say.
:) :)

>walked in an open environment with two leads, which I assume was for safety?

I think it was one attached to a harness and one to a headcollar, like it's recommended to do with the halti harness..? Not sure offhand whether it was a double ended lead or 2 leads but it was that kind of set up.

I also thought the dogs coming from the war zone was interesting and well deserved to be in there.  I did smile about the newfie one though as the woman bent down to pick the watering can off the dog as it didn't lift it up to her level, so couldn't of been doing much help to her back!

I was soooooo pleased when Yepa won and yep, eyes were streaming!!!!!!!!! 

Also thought the newfie story was slightly exagerated as the owner kept bending down to take things from him.

It doesn't bother me that the dogs weren't as "deserving" as they might have been. Its called "Friends For Life" contest and the dogs don't have to be super talented, it seems the idea is we can all picture our own dogs meaning as much to us.

The greatest and worst moment was when the girl burst into tears and Yepa tried to climb on her, the dog was concerned for his "mum", I wish they'd let him. Ah.

Congratulations Yepa - I voted for her :)

I agree with the comments that some of the other dogs were just "normal" dogs. I think Percy the lab was great and maybe even the two from Afghanistan but I do not understand why the other two were there.

My collie empties the washing machine, tidies the house and passes me things but I taught him these things as he enjoys clicker training and he loves helping in the house.

To me, the Newfie and the GSD although lovely and clever dogs were not cases for this sort of competition - the Vizla really deserved to win as this was a genuinely wonderful case.

Well done and Congratulations Harriet and Yepa.....
Although all the finalists thouroughly  deserved to be there, for me there was only one winner and that was Harriet and Yepa.

I spent a wonderful day yesterday with both of them on the Discover Dogs stand and I felt truly blessed  to be part of her special day.

The tears streamed down my facec as she,selfless as ever,  thanked her Grandad for watching as he had had to go home earler in the day They were free flowing by the time she thanked everyone for loving Yepa as much as she does, words cant describe the emotion I felt and still feel today.

I feel totally humbled by yesterdays events,Harriet is a remarkable girl, an inspiration to all who know her and I am honoured and very proud to know her as a friend
Philly xx

Id already voted for yepa...

I must admit i had tears pouring down my face...

the army dogs also touched my heart, but in a different way

Well done Yepa!!

Donnaxx
(and my boysxx)

I think the most deserving dog won.
I have to say i passed Nowzad (the dog from the war zone) walking back to the car park, and jusdging by the dog and handlers reaction he has problems with people. Now bearing in mind he was only passing two people in the street i have to say i thought it was probably very difficult to take him into the nec arena - and i'm not sure it was the right thing to do for the poor dog.

Fantastic, and yes I was in tears too! :-)

May I thank you all for voting for Harriet and Yepa. I was in the BIS ring watching them with her Mum and Grandma.It was the most moving evening and thank you for making my dream come true of making them winners and showing Harriet and Yepa just  how special they are.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.............