Pictures: Cute dogs galore at Gartly event
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THE Gartly Community Association (GCA) Charity Fun Dog Show was a roaring success, celebrating the quirks and best aspects of furry friends and raising £523 for charity.
The event, held at the Tin Hut in Gartly on Sunday, July 9, 2023, was filled with laughter, wagging tails, and heartwarming moments.
Families and their four-legged companions gathered to participate in a wide variety of classes, which included scruffiest pal, waggiest tail and most appealing eyes.
As well as providing a fantastic day out for dog fans, the event supported great causes, through a partnership with Santerpaws Rescue and the Basset Rescue Network of GB.
Highlighting the winners and some top picks, Hellen Ford from GCA was full of praise for dogs and owners after the event.
"It's wonderful to see the unique personalities and quirks of our furry friends being celebrated," Hellen said.
"We would like to congratulate all the winners, participants, and their furry friends for making the Gartly Community Association Charity Fun Dog Show an unforgettable event.
"Your presence and support made a significant difference, and we look forward to future events that celebrate our beloved companions and strengthen our community spirit."
The GCA spokesperson said that sponsorship from hand-crafted wool item firm Fleece 4 Ewe was key to the event's success.
The Best in Show accolade went to Holly Pullen's "majestic" Harold, a four-year-old Great Dane/Irish Wolfhound cross.
While Best in Show Reserve went to Anita Van-der-Spoel's five-month-old Swiss Shepherd, Esther.
The star dog: "captured the judge's hearts with her beauty and charm".
The day kicked off with the waggiest tail category, sponsored by Tillyminate Timber Sawmill.
Fern, the eight-year-old working Cocker Spaniel owned by George Innes from Gartly, took home first place with her infectious tail wagging.
Yorkie Poo Sooty (5) owned by Joan Hare from Gartly, secured second place with his energetic tail movements, followed by one-year-old Cockapoo Fletcher owned by Derek Coull from Huntly, and five-year-old Staffie Reggie entered by Glass resident Emma Coxey.
Romanian street dog Rosie, entered by Diane Stokes, "stole everyone's hearts" to clinch first place position in the most appealing eyes category.
Dora, a nine-year-old Miniature Dachshund Chihuahua cross owned by Susan Fisher from Huntly, took second in the category, sponsored by Mrs V. Bennett.
The category was rounded out by Lexi, the six-year-old Collie owned by Steph Petrie from Lumsden, and Ted, the Border Terrier entered by Lynn Bradley from Gartly.
The prettiest bitch category, sponsored by Stratosphere Wood Turning, was won by Tipsy, Yorkie Cockerpoo cross owned by Sara Dicarlo from Gartly.
Bella, the two-and-a-half-year-old rescue Serbian street dog, owned by Karen Pullen from Gartly, took second place and Peanut, a nine-month-old Jack Russell entered by Oakley Strachen from Gartly and Belle the Beagle owned by Emmeline Reck from Keith.
The best rescue category, sponsored by the Tin Hut Sessions, highlighted the incredible stories of dogs who found their forever homes after difficult circumstances.
Archie, the five-year-old West Highland Terrier owned by Brenda Webster, took home the first-place prize, followed by five-year-old Labrador Mira owned by Diane Goldsworthy, and Emma Coxey's ten-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier Charlie.
Rosie, the Romanian street dog entered by Diane Stokes, also received recognition for her remarkable journey.
The handsomest dog category, privately sponsored "for Woodie", showcased some very dashing canines but Holly Pullen's Great Dane Irish Wolfhound cross Harold won over the judges before he went on to claim the day's top prize.
Harold's success was followed by Adele Hosie's one-year-old yellow Labrador Flinder who "impressed with his handsome features" and Barnie Rubble, a 16-month-old Rough Border Collie owned by Chloe Shorten, and John Coxey's Staffordshire Bull Terrier Reggie took third and fourth respectively.
In the category named dog the judge would like to take home, sponsored by Dunnydeer Veterinary Group, Anita Van-der-Spoel's five-month-old Swiss Shepherd Esther took top billing.
Chief, a 12-year-old Collie entered and owned by Scott MacLeod also impressed the judges to secure second place, followed by Kara McWilliam's two-year-old Labrador Poppy and Fern, an eight-year-old working Cocker Spaniel owned by George Innes.
Winning the a child's best friend category, sponsored by Mac Farriers Ltd, Rascal, nine-month-old Jack Russell pup Rascal centered by Sandy Strachen from Gartly, captured the first-place position with his "playful nature".
Belle, a Beagle owned by Emmeline Reck from Keith, received second place, while Kara McWilliam's two-year-old Labrador named Poppy, and two-year-old Jack Russell Beaufort – entered by Isaac and Josephine Salt from Glass – were recognised for their friendship with their young owners.
The scruffiest pal category, sponsored by the Tin Hut Sessions, celebrated the "unique charm of dogs with a more casual appearance".
Oakly Strachen and Bella claimed the first-place position, with Holly Pullen's Harold receiving second place and Penny, entered by Chloe Shorten from Gartly, along with Sooty owned by Jean Hare from Huntly, took third and fourth.
The best trick category, sponsored by local coal merchant and storage heavyweight Kenneth McWilliam, showcased the "incredible talents of our four-legged friends".
Kara McWilliam and two-year-old Labrador Poppy "amazed the judges with their impressive tricks" to secure first place, while Yorkie Cockerpoo cross Tipsy with Sara and Peter Dicarlo, West Highland terrier Archie (5) owned by Molly Henderson from Keith, and five-year-old Springer Lulu owned by Holly Kindness from Huntly, rounded out the category.
Peter Hare scooped a luxurious hamper from the raffle.
The winner of the funniest comment about the dogs went to Anna Kemp who, by the sounds of it, has her hands full with her pair of characterful canines.
Her dog Bella, she said, "likes to make friends with everyone in the pub," along with Todd, who "always sings when going into Rhynie."
