THEY say every dog has its day and today definitely belongs to “beautiful boy” George.
The lovable hound proved a diamond in the ruff after winning our Pet Pawtraits competition.
To mark national pet month, we asked readers to submit pictures of their beloved animals - whether a doting dog, cuddly cat, rabbit, hamster, fish or something more unusual.
Entries then appeared in our papers and online, with a voting form for you to pick your favourite.
Today we canine confirm that George proved pick of the pups - much to the delight of proud owner Jane McCausland.
Jane, of New Road, Stanway, said: “I’m absolutely delighted.
“George has been my lockdown baby and is a beautiful boy.
“He was born in West Bromwich, in the Midlands, in February 2020 and came home to Colchester as an eight-week-old puppy.
“He was one of five brothers, all black and white, and the biggest and most boisterous of them all.
“Although we bought him as a pure-bred Shih Tzu, he grew and grew and was nearly twice the size of our previous dog, Bertie (a Gazette Pet Idol winner in 2006).
“He grew so much that we even did a doggy DNA test.
“The result was 62.5 per cent Shih Tzu, 12.5 per cent Llasa Apso and 12.5 per cent Chihauhau. The remainder is unknown.” Jane, who won a £100 shopping gift card, says George immediately struck up a friendship with Freya, a Romanian rescue dog owned by friend Steph.
“Although very naughty as a puppy, George has calmed down a bit, helped by a bit of doggy behavioural therapy,” she said.
“He loves playing with all his friends in the fields and woods nearby, especially best pal Freya.
“He also loves spending time in the garden with his toys, watching all the birds and squirrels.
“He has his own paddling pool and sandpit.
“When lockdown is over, we hope to enrol George at one of the local dog agility centres, where he can jump and run to his heart’s delight.”
Jane also plans to travel, both in the UK and overseas, and says George has his own camper van with his picture on both sides!
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