Margaret in her Halloween costume.

We went to our daughter’s place last night to give out Halloween candy. Living in the country we get few if any kids coming to our door. In keeping with the spirit we dressed Margaret up. You can see how excited she was over the whole affair. She loved greeting the kids.

Stouffville Barns Winner 2009

This has been a great year for Margaret Helms, a one-year-old English bulldog who lives in Sunderland with her father and mother, Rich and Dorothea Helms. In June, she was shopping at the Stouffville Country Market when she was photographed and entered into a contest at the special “Doggie Daze at the Market” event. A few days later, her dad received a phone call informing him that Margaret had won in the “Most Adorable Dog” category and would receive a gift basket of dog items worth $75. This honour comes hot on the heels of Margaret’s first-place win in the Large Dog Category in the Doggie Fashion Show held at the 14th Annual Sunderland Maple Syrup Festival in April.

“We are delighted that the judges recognized how adorable Margaret is,” Rich says. “We want to thank Stouffville Country Market for their generosity.”

“Yeah, the dog stuff is great,” says Margaret, “all except for the toothbrush. Whose idea was that?”

The lovable 60-pound canine is named for the late British actress Margaret Rutherford, and looks remarkably like that film icon. It was pointed out to her parents recently that in profile, she also bears a striking resemblance to the late William Conrad of the television series “Jake and the Fat Man.”

After both contest wins, the paparazzi hounded Margaret, whose mother is local freelance writer Dorothea, a.k.a. The Writing Fairy. “Margaret also appears regularly on humorous greeting cards, which are in demand across North America, Dorothea says. “We’re hoping that these brushes with celebrity won’t go to her head.”

We are not amused

Happy Victoria Day

Margaret During Competition

SUNDERLAND, ONTARIO, APRIL 5, 2009 – On Sunday, April 5, 2009, Margaret Helms, a one-year-old English Bulldog, won first place in the Large Dog Category in the Doggie Fashion Show held at the 14th Annual Sunderland Maple Syrup Festival. It was a sweet victory for the lovable 60-pound canine, who is a Sunderland resident and has many fans across North America. Competition was fierce in this fashion parade, which drew a number of breeds, from Chihuahuas to a Bernese Mountain Dog.

The paparazzi hounded Margaret, who is named for the late British actress Margaret Rutherford, and who looks remarkably like that film icon. In her acceptance speech, this canine “fairy” thanked her mom and dad, Dorothea and Richard Helms, for entering her into the Fashion Show, even though the tiara was a pain in the neck to wear. She also thanked Ruff Cuts, the Sunderland-based pet food and accessories store that sponsored the contest, as well as her breeder, Rose Brown, of Blackstock, Ontario.

Margaret with her BFF Neil Crone

“We’re so proud,” said local freelance writer Dorothea, a.k.a. The Writing Fairy. “Margaret is the first dog that Rich and I have ever owned, and we think she’s beautiful. It’s great to know so many other people agree with us. She did a fine job today juggling the intricacies of her fairy outfit and the attention from the adoring crowds.” These included many human celebrities who attended the event such as Neil Crone, one of the wacky cast members from “Little Mosque on the Prairie.”

Margaret appears regularly on humorous greeting cards, which are in demand across North America. “I’m proud and privileged to display the Sunderland Maple Syrup Festival trophy on my mantel,” she says. “Do I get to eat my treats now?”

Trophy

-30-
Media Contact: Dorothea Helms, The Writing Fairy
905-852-9294
fairy@thewritingfairy.com

Kiss Me!

OK, I’m an English Bulldog – but on
St. Patrick’s Day, EVERYBODY’S Irish…

Lounging

Margaret’s New House

Our excuse is we have no grandkids to fawn over. We were in Toys-R-Us looking for some props for a shot when we saw a display of Little Tikes plastic cottages. Dorothea jokingly suggested Margaret would love one. The basic model was on sale. So – we bought one. On the drive home, we laughed like we haven’t laughed for a long time. It was worth it just for the comic relief.

I swear putting together a new real house is easier than this thing. Once it was done, we had to bribe Margaret with her supper to lure her in.

Looking out the window

I can’t wait for someone to ask what we did on the weekend.

My Cottage

The ‘cottage’ in place now complete with welcome mat, flower planter, bulldog statue and swimming pool.

Angel Margaret

Margaret as a Cherub…
Doesn’t she look fine?
You would make her happy
If you’d be her Valentine!

Posing for this photo
Was really kind of fun
But Margaret soon found out
A Cherub’s work is never done

It’s tough posing

Front of the card

Inside card

Margaret the Red-nosed Reindeer
Liked her little Antlers – NOT
She drove her parents crazy
Till they finally got THE shot!

Wishing You
A Doggone Great Holiday Season
And A New Year Filled with Treats!

Frown

Greetings from The Writing Fairy

Maggie (Margaret’s mother) Christmas 2008

Maggie is Margaret’s mother.

Photo courtesy of  Rose Brown
bulldog@netscape.ca