AND NOW, LADIES and gentlemen (and pets) . . . drumroll, please!
“Fletcher,” a handsome Australian Shepherd/Blue Heeler, has been elected MVP — Most Valuable Pet — in the Peninsula Daily News’ Paws and Claws Pet Photo Contest.
The dog, owned by Danielle Wyatt of Carlsborg, received 169 votes during online voting from 3 p.m. Feb. 25 to 3 p.m. today.
Danielle will receive a gift certificate for one hour of private dog training at BeauJes Dog Training in Gardiner plus $50 from the PDN.
The other two winners in the contest were “Botai,” a Tibetan terrier owned by Faye Hayden, who received 160 votes, and “Cosmo Kramer Piper,” who lives with Chris Piper of Port Townsend. Cosmo got 116 votes.
Faye and Chris will each receive $25.
All three pets will be featured in a special Peninsula Daily News pet publication scheduled for inclusion with the PDN on Sunday, March 27.
“It’s been an exciting few weeks as the most adorable pets on the North Olympic Peninsula battled it out to decide who was the cutest of the cute,” said Suzanne Delaney, PDN advertising director.
“We had an overwhelming response to our pet contest, 282 photos — there were so many cute pets I’m sure it was a tough decision by the voters,” she added.
“All the photos showed pride, passion and a wonderful love of animals. Our thanks to everyone who sent in their pet photos and participated in the voting!”
To see photos of all three winners, click on http://pdn.upickem.net/engine/Winners.aspx?PageType=WINNER&contestid=27031 (click on each photo to enlarge).
You can also view all the the pet photos; click on gallery at http://pdn.upickem.net/engine/Details.aspx?PageType=APPROVED&contestid=27031
