2015 Best Pet Selfie Contest Winners
In the last few years, the age of technology has brought with it an era of selfies. We snap them everywhere and with everyone: with friends at dinner, during fun events, and – you guessed it – with our pets. For our annual photo contest, our readers submitted their Best Pet Selfies with the goal of raising money for local pet charities. Through votes from their friends, family and the Best Self community, the top three contest winners were able to win cash prizes for Friends of DeKalb Animals, Atlanta Humane Society and Kindness Matters Ferret Rescue. Get ready to meet these selfie stars!
In the last few years, the age of technology has brought with it an era of selfies. We snap them everywhere and with everyone: with friends at dinner, during fun events, and – you guessed it – with our pets. For our annual photo contest, our readers submitted their Best Pet Selfies with the goal of raising money for local pet charities. Through votes from their friends, family and the Best Self community, the top three contest winners were able to win cash prizes for Friends of DeKalb Animals, Atlanta Humane Society and Kindness Matters Ferret Rescue. Get ready to meet these selfie stars!
2015 Best Pet Selfie Contest Winners
First Place
Anna Bettina and Glaukos the Gargoyle
Friends of DeKalb Animals
We’ve all seen pets with fitting names, like a fur ball named Fluffy or a Chihuahua named Tiny, but no name paints a picture quite as vivid as “Glaukos the Gargoyle.” This 170-pound guy – who’s still growing! – is a gray, wrinkly Neopolitan Mastiff. And even though the name describes his physical appearance well, his owner Anna Bettina has made sure there’s no hint of “gargoyle” in his personality. Bettina is a certified dog trainer with Atlanta’s Happy Healthy Pup and holds a Masters of Animal Science, so she trained Glaukos well from day one. “With a lot of training, they can be really fun, easy-going companions,” Bettina says of large breed dogs like Glaukos. Because he’s so well behaved, he accompanies Bettina on plenty of outings around town, including lots of pet-friendly restaurant patios. “Our favorite is Saltyard on Peachtree. Chef Nick always cooks Glaukos’ steaks perfectly!” Bettina says. The only drawbacks to a pup this big? “They eat a lot,” Bettina says. “They also snore and are horrible bed hogs,” she jokes. But who could resist that wrinkly face?
Bettina and Glaukos’ first-place prize money will go to Friends of DeKalb Animals to help other pets feel that same love in their forever homes. “They’ve saved everything from special needs dogs to moms with litters,” Bettina explains. To keep up with Glaukos and his adventures, follow his Facebook page at Glaukos the Gargoyle.
Second Place
Al Longman and Jolie Petite
Atlanta Humane Society
For Al and Su Longman, the process of bringing home Jolie Petite was not a short one. They went through a thorough six-month process with her breeder to make sure they were fit pup parents. Not only that, but during the process, the Longmans were checking out the breeder as well. Su says, “Always check with other clients to make sure the pets are bred without any harm,” if you’re going to go the breeder route. Ultimately, the Longmans were deemed a great match for Jolie, and they brought her home in 2007. She has made herself at home, zooming around the house every afternoon and always settling her head lovingly on Su’s lap afterward. The Longmans’ second-place prize money will go to the Atlanta Humane Society. “I just finished hosting a fundraising event for AHS and have seen their dedication firsthand,” Su says. “Their love for animals is admirable.”
Details: www.atlantahumane.org
Third Place
Amber Rathburn and Baby Girl
Kindness Matters Ferret Rescue
Amber Rathbun has always had a soft spot for geriatric pets. She’s also a vet tech, so she knows the value of high-quality pet care throughout an animal’s life. So when Rathbun saw an ad about fostering older ferrets with health challenges, it really spoke to her. “My pet rat passed away prior to me seeing the ad, so I had a huge unused cage with supplies. It seemed like a sign.” She responded to Kindness Matters Ferret Rescue’s ad and soon, Baby Girl was hers. “Baby Girl is blind from cataracts, so coming to a new household was a little difficult at first,” Rathbun says, but she has since learned to navigate the house with ease, even running up the stairs, scratching at the back door when she wants to play in the yard, and waiting by the pantry for her treat of raisins. And despite Baby Girl’s health challenges, Rathbun says KMFR has been very helpful and informative, so they will receive her third place prize money. “I think rescue is the way to go,” Rathbun says. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of it!”
Details: www.kindnessmattersferretrescue.com