A failed service dog and a rat named Toast were the winners in a virtual pet show run by Darlington Rotary.
People were asked to enter pictures of their pets and make a donation to Darlington Rotary’s charity account, with the money going towards helping hard-hit charities across the borough.
The entries were judged by award-winning animal photographer, Tracy Kidd of Darlington, who said it had been a tough job.
She said: “It was a hard one to judge and took a long time to choose the winner and runner-up.”
The winner was a picture of Fynley, a Red Fox Labrador owned by Adrienne Wright of South View, Bowes, near Barnard Castle.
Tracy said the beach setting was lovely. “He’s standing well and Adrienne has obviously thought hard and achieved a wonderful shot of him.”
Adrienne said that Fynley was a three-year-old family pet for herself, husband Richard ad three grown up sons.
“He came to us as a failed autistic companion dog who didn’t make the grade. But he’s a wonderful pet and I am thrilled to have won and contributed to a wonderful cause.”
The runner-up was Toast, who brought an international flavour to the contest as she’s the pet rat of Caz Little who lives in Ottawa in Canada.
Tracy commented: “The photo makes you want to know more about this cheeky character. It certainly has the cute factor.”
Adrienne wins an 18 x 12-inch fine art print of Fynley, plus a £100 voucher towards a shoot or lesson with Tracy. Caz wins a 12 x 8-inch print and a £50 voucher. All are courtesy of Tracy Kidd.
Competition organiser, Sue Campbell, said: “We received some wonderful pictures of dogs, cats, rabbit – even chickens – from all over the country and beyond, and raised hundreds for our charity funds.
“Having a judge as renowned and generous as Tracy was a real bonus.”
All the pictures will appear on Darlington Rotary’s website www.darlingtonrotary.org
