Page 84 - K9News_Issue12_July2020

LIFE in LOCKDOWN WINNERS

Three young dog lovers have been crowned winners following
an online competition to celebrate the bond between owners and
their canine companions and how this has helped them through
lockdown, winning prize money of £100 in each age category.

Sponsored by the Kennel Club
Educational Trust (KCET) and hosted 18-24 years winner
by the Young Kennel Club (YKC) via Alexandra Morgan, a 20-year-old from Caversham, Berkshire, and
its social media channels and website, Ollie, a five-year-old Labrador Retriever won the 18-24 category, with
the Life in Lockdown competition saw their very funny video captured from Ollie’s point of view, teaching
almost 100 entries from members aged
as young as six years old, and up to Alexandra ‘how to be a dog’.
24-year-olds. Participants were split Speaking of their win, Alexandra said: “It is a massive honour that
group. There were so many great entries and Ollie and I had a blast
into three age categories, with each mine and Ollie’s video has been chosen as the winner for my age
age group having a week to submit their
constantly making me and my family smile and I wanted to show that
entries between 29th June and 8th July. making our video together. The one thing that Ollie is brilliant at is
The entries were varied in their format,
“The lockdown has brought a lot of change and uncertainty with me
from slideshows to photo montages and in my video.
even videos captured from the dog’s having to leave university and miss my graduation, but spending so
point of view, showcasing the talent and much time with Ollie has made the whole experience a million times
creativity of the youngsters and celebrating better. I could not ask for a better companion, not just for lockdown,
the positive role that our four-legged friends
play, not only during lockdown but as but for life.”
lifelong companions.
12-17 years winner 6-11 years winner
Susanna and five-year-old Teasel, a crossbreed, won the 12-17 keeping active and sharing laughs.
Elsie Bradley, aged nine, from Marske-
category, with their highlight reel of their lockdown activities,
including birthday celebrations and making homemade treats.
by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire, and Daisy,
a four-year-old Pomeranian/Chihuahua
Speaking of their win, Susanna said: “I have only been a Young
cross won the 6-11 category, with their
Kennel Club member for a few months and this is the first
slideshow comprised of snapshots of all
competition I have entered, so it is fantastic to win! However,
the fun activities the pair had been up to,
what is more valuable to me is the bond I have with Teasel and
the time lockdown has made available for me to be with her,
Speaking of their win, Elsie said: “Having
from extra agility at home when lockdown meant no regular
training at my club, to giving her longer walks and discovering
Daisy has been brilliant through lockdown.
new places. That being said, I can’t wait to be back competing
She always makes me happy. I loved
at agility soon and also participating in YKC agility events and
making the video to show everyone what
we have been getting up to. It feels very
training weekends.” exciting to win and I feel very proud.”
The Young Kennel Club has been providing its supportive and important role to their young owners
dedicated members with fun games and activities during such a difficult time and they have certainly put
to enjoy with their dogs during lockdown across its a smile on our faces!
website and social channels, including a successful “It was really hard choosing just three winners
online dog show last month, which saw over 1,000 amongst so many impressive entries, but we felt that
entries, as well as a series of upcoming dog breed the submissions from Elsie and Daisy, Susanna and
drawing tutorials, printable quizzes, colouring pages Teasel and Alexandra and Ollie really summarised the
and more. strong bond between the young dog owners and their
Gerald King, Chairman of the Kennel Club four-legged-friends and highlighted how beneficial
Educational Trust said: “It was a real delight to see dog ownership can be.”
so many YKC members submitting entries for the Life Young Kennel Club - at www.ykc.org.uk.
in Lockdown competition. Dogs have played a really
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K9 NEWS DIGITAL / JULY 2020