Meet the "Ear-resistible" Winners of our Photo Contest

Meet the ‘Ear-resistible’ Winners of Our Photo Contest

i Love Dogs was all ears in January, and we thank all of you pet parents who entered your pooch’s pictures in our i Love Dog Ears photo contest.

With so many adorable pairs of ears to choose from, selecting the winners was no easy task for our judging panel. And since each judge selected a different first-place photo, we’re declaring three winners.

Without further pawdo, “ear” they are!

Annabelle

“I love a dog whose ears don’t fit his head anyway, but I really love a dog with those ‘confused ears’ – this one’s up … that one’s down … now that one’s up and this one’s down … both up … both down,” said contest judge Greg Kleva of his choice for best ears.

“I’m not sure Annabelle’s ears will ever make up their mind (but I am pretty sure that her ears do have a mind of their own!). And hey, Annabelle, any dog who’s secure enough to provide photo evidence that she willingly wears a dog Snuggie is always a winner in my book!”

Annabelle is a Pit Bull-German Shepherd mix. Her dog mom, Amber, said she loves Annabelle’s ears because the left one always flops over. “It is very unique and different, which makes her stand out from other dogs,” Amber said.

Alex

Alex is a 6-year-old Jack Russell Terrier. “He is so cute!” said his pet parent, Stacey. ”Really, just look at him. Do I need to say more?”

Apparently not. Contest judge Dr. Patrick Mahaney picked Alex’s photo as his favorite. “I like my ears natural, uniquely shaped and serving as a complement to the dog’s overall aesthetic,” he said – just like Alex’s.

Radar

“They say that the clothes make the man, but in this case, the ears make the dog,” said contest judge Nikki Moustaki, who chose this photo as her favorite. “These ears are for a much larger animal! But Radar carries them with pride.”

Radar is a rescued 8-year-old Mini Schnauzer. “His ears can almost receive radio transmissions, hence the name ‘Radar,’” said his pet parent, Kimberly.

Radar was found half-starved on the streets before going to the shelter, but now he is a spunky, expressive and happy pup. “He loves to sit next to people and stare at them, while tilting his head and moving his ears back and forth,” Kimberly said. “It’s hysterical.”

Honorable Mention: Bandit

Based on your “Likes” in our i Love Dog Ears Facebook photo album, our honorable-mention prize winner is Bandit!

Bandit, who was featured last month in an i Love Dogs reader rescue story, was found sitting by the curb by her dog mom, Katrin, shivering and afraid. “All I saw at first were her ears!” Katrin said.

The 4-month-old Min Pin-mix puppy wasn’t microchipped and had no ID, and Katrin’s efforts to find her pet parents weren’t successful.

“I decided to keep her … for a while,” Katrin said. “Then I fell in love with her, with her ears and her funny, funny personality. So did my dog, Sunny. Bandit has certainly found her furever home, ears and all!”

Congratulations to Annabelle, Alex, Radar and Bandit! Annabelle, Alex and Radar will each receive i Love Dogs Reishi with Green Tea to help keep their prize-winning ears healthy, plus a coupon good for a 50-percent discount on their pet parents’ next purchase of i Love Dogs vitamins and supplements. As the fan favorite, Bandit will receive an i Love Dogs bag filled with pawsome goodies.

Our sincere appreciation to our judging panel, whose job was certainly no easy task:

Greg Kleva is a professional dog behavioral therapist and master trainer with Bark Busters Home Dog Training. He hosts “It’s A Dog’s Life” on Martha Stewart Living Radio on SiriusXM 110, and also makes appearances on TV and in print.
Patrick Mahaney, VMD, CVA has a thriving veterinary practice in Los Angeles and is i Love Dogs’ Ask a Vet. His clients respond favorably to his combination of Eastern and Western medicine, including acupuncture. In addition to making house calls, Dr. Mahaney makes himself available via his blog.
Nikki Moustaki, an author, TV and radio personality, and dog trainer, is considered one of the country’s leading pet experts. She founded the Pet Postcard Project to help feed homeless animals.

Since February is Pet Dental Health Month, our pooch part focus this month is on teeth. If your dog has a great set of chompers, be sure to enter our i Love Dog Teeth photo contest.

Laura Goldman

Laura Goldman is senior social media writer for i Love Dogs, Inc. She does love dogs. And elephants and turtles. Along with writing about the loves of her life, Laura likes to play with her two pound pups and tell anyone who’ll listen just how awesome Pit Bulls are.