This goofy “guard dog” photo wins Mars Petcare Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2020

Mars Petcare Comedy Pet Photo Awards shared its 2020 finalists with us in September. And if you’re still having second thoughts about getting a pet – well, you should read on. The contest has just announced this year’s winners, and it’s a collection of goofy, silly, and plain adorable images of pets.

The 2020 Mars Petcare Comedy Pet Photographer of the Year is awarded to Elke Vogelsang with her photo Guard Dog on Duty. The dog in the photo is Noodles, one of her three adorable dogs. Elke Is known for her goofy portraits of dogs and cats, and If you still haven’t followed her, I strongly suggest that you do.

Noodles is a Galgo Espanol mix breed that Elke adopted from a kill shelter in Spain. The story behind their connection is absolutely amazing: Elke saved Noodles’ life, and she saved Elke’s husband’s:

“Our dogs are not only pets, but also family members, muses, friends. Ten years ago, the dogs (Noodles and my other girl Scout) alerted me that something was wrong by barking and howling. They ran straight to the bathroom door, where I found my husband unconscious in the bath. The diagnosis was a severe brain haemorrhage due to a ruptured aneurysm. If it hadn’t been for the dogs, I would have found him too late. Thanks to them and great doctors he survived, but during the stressful months that followed, I found photography as a creative outlet. Hurrah to two Spanish mutts, once abandoned and sentenced to death, then rescued and adopted, now life-savers themselves. We are forever grateful to have them in our lives. I hope I can give them back at least a tiny bit of what they give us.”

While the Comedy Pet Photography Awards showcases the incredibly positive impact that pets have on our lives, there’s more to it. It also aims to raise awareness around homeless pets in the UK. 10% of the sponsorship fee and 10% of all entry fees are donated to national pet charity Blue Cross, to help with its work rehoming pets and providing veterinary treatment and care. Elke herself has also decided to donate a part of the prize money to a pet rescue organization.

Other than the overall winners, the contest also recognizes winners in five other categories: Cats, Mighty Horse, All Other Creatures, Pets Who Look Most Like Their Owners, and Junior. Ten photographers were also recognized as Highly Commended for their entries. You can check out the rest of the winning and highly commended images below and visit the contest’s website for more info. And then, maybe you can visit a local shelter and adopt a lovable furball of your own. :)

Category winners

Highly Commended