It's your devoted Assistant Editor Liz here. While it's part of my job to make sure I deliver the very best in cuteness, my duties also include keeping in touch with all of you through our various social media outlets. I was taking a look at our Dogster Instagram account and thought it was looking a little lonely. If you haven't already, you should totally follow us, because we love looking at your adorable dogs.

Share this image

Feel free to share this! Illustration by the very talented Nigel Sussman

But more than just following us, let's do something fun, shall we? Let's host our very own virtual Dogster Dog Show! We don't need all the pomp and circumstance and pedigree and papers of an actual dog show -- what's so cool about Dogster is that we can come together from all over the world to talk about dogs. 

Share this image

Editor-in-Chief Janine's Italian Greyhound, Moxie.

Share this image

Community Manager Lori's Pekingese, Beasley.

So now's your chance to show off your pup and win a sweet Dogster gift bag, too.

Sit, stay, and listen, because this is how it's going to work:

1. Follow us on Instagram@Dogster.

2. Between May 17 and May 19, upload photos of your dogs via Instagram and make sure to tag them with #DogsterDogShow2013 and either #PureBreed or #MuttBreed, depending on your pup. In other words, your entry should have two tags: #DogsterDogShow2013 and one of the breed tags.

3. Between May 22 and May 27, we will upload your entries to our Instagram and open them up to voting. The top dogs who receive the most hearts and comments will move onto the final round.

4. Between May 29 and June 2, we'll post the final-round dogs here on Dogster for a lightning round of voting. There will be a winner to represent purebred dogs and a winner to represent all the beloved mutts out there. We'll announce the winners on June 5.

Got it? Good dog!

Now, ready, set, Instagram! And may the cutest dogs win.

Share this image

Ramona is an honorary member of Dogster.

Contest subject to change. Only U.S. residents are eligible to win. We'll make every effort possible to contact winners; however, if we can't get in touch, we'll pick someone else. Only U.S. residents are eligible to win. Thanks, and good luck!

Hero photo: Hipster dog in cool sunnies by Shutterstock

The dog collars feature a design that keeps pressure off the buckle, spreading it evenly across the strongest part of the collar -- the webbing -- to ensure the buckle stays securely fastened at all times. Peach and her habit of pulling on the leash inspired this design choice.

Check her out in the boutique's Ruffled Dog Collar.

Share this image

Peach strikes a pose in the Ruffled Collar by Pooch and Puddy.

Pye favors bright colors and fun fabrics for her creations, with several perfect for spring and summer. My favorites include:

Share this image

A sweet collar for a sweet pup.

Share this image

Love love love!

I'm also digging Pye's bow-tie accessories for collars. My Boston Terrier, Spot, would look adorable in this number.

Share this image

Who says skulls can't wear a smiley face? Not Pye.

Pye has generously offered up one of her collars to a lucky Dogster reader as this week's Friday Freebie. To enter, post a photo of your pup in his or her current neckwear and share why you simply must have one of Pooch and Puddy's stylish and safe designs. Is the existing collar worn and stinky? Or does your dog love to pull like Peach? Also follow the instructions below. If you want to win one of Pye's equally stylish and safe collars for cats, enter over on Catster. 

HOW TO WIN

Would you like the chance to win a Pooch and Puddy collar? If so, please do the following:

1. Create a Disqus account, if you haven't already, and include a valid email. It takes just a minute and allows you to better participate in Dogster's community of people who are passionate about dogs. If you already have a Disqus account, check it to ensure the account includes a valid email.
2. Comment below using your Disqus account and post a photo of your pup in his or her current collar, share why you simply must have a new one from Pooch and Puddy, and tell us which one you want; see the full collection. Our favorite comment wins! Note: You must be a U.S. or Canadian resident to win. 
3. Check your email for a “You've Won!” message from us after noon PST on Wednesday, March 27. We'll give the winner two days to respond before moving on to our next favorite comment.

If you don't score the Pooch and Puddy collar, not to worry: You still have plenty of opportunities to win other great prizes -- every Friday, in fact! You also can purchase a collar through the Pooch and Puddy boutique on Etsy. The regular collars cost just $18, with the bow-tie accessories running $12. 

This week's Friday Freebie can make that particular cleaning task less of a hassle for one lucky reader. Sure Fit's new Cotton Duck Pet Loveseat Throw comes in black, linen (shown above), and red, and it makes a much more stylish addition to home décor than an old blanket or sheet. Check it out:

Share this image

Share this image

The 100 percent cotton, quilted cover fits loveseats measuring 58 to 73 inches wide, with any extra material tucking between the arms and cushions. The back of the throw measures 39 inches high. On cleaning day, simply wash it on a cold, gentle cycle and dry on low.

HOW TO WIN

Would you like the chance to win a Sure Fit Cotton Duck Pet Loveseat Throw? If so, please do the following:

1. Create a Disqus account, if you haven't already, and include a valid email. It takes just a minute and allows you to better participate in Dogster's community of people who are passionate about dogs. If you already have a Disqus account, check it to ensure the account includes a valid email.
2. Comment below using your Disqus account, telling us about your dogs and the mess they make of your furniture. Photos earn extra points! Also tell us which color you want. Our favorite comment wins!
3. Check your email for a “You've Won!” message from us after noon, PST, on Wednesday, March 6. We'll give the winner two days to respond before moving on to our next favorite comment.

If you don't score the Sure Fit Cotton Duck Pet Loveseat Throw, not to worry: You still have plenty of opportunities to win other great prizes -- every Friday, in fact! You also can purchase the cover through the Sure Fit website. If you have cats in the home instead of dogs, or a mixed furry family, you also can enter to win this throw over on Catster.

Share this image

The lightweight bed keeps dogs up to 50 pounds comfy, whether at home or when traveling. It assembles easily (no tools required) and folds into a compact size that fits into an included carrying bag -- and it all weighs less than eight pounds. The thick padded liner and bed itself resist water, and you can remove the cover to throw it in the washing machine. The bed retails for $229.99.

Share this image

The jogger fits pets up to 45 pounds who either can't keep up on walks or simply feel like letting you do all of the work. It also has a comfy padded liner, which removes easily for machine-washing. A mesh cover gives your dog a little privacy while allowing for ventilation and visibility.

Share this image

Other features include an 18-inch interior safety leash, a large storage basket, and a pet-parent storage tray with two cup holders. It assembles without tools as well, folds with one hand for storage, and weighs less than 10 pounds. It retails for $249.99.

Share this image

HOW TO WIN

Would you like the chance to win the LazyBonezz Travel Bed or the LazyBonezz Jogger? If so, please do the following:

1. Like the LazyBonezz Facebook page. 
2. Create a Disqus account, if you haven't already, and include a valid email. It takes just a minute and allows you to better participate in Dogster's community of people who are passionate about dogs. If you already have a Disqus account, check it to ensure the account includes a valid email.
3. Comment below using your Disqus account, telling us a little about your dog or dogs, as well as which item you want to win and why. Photos are a plus! Our favorite comments win.
4. Check your email for a “You've Won!” message from us after noon, PST, on Wednesday, Feb. 20. We'll give the winners two days to respond before moving on to our next favorite comments.

If you don't score a either item, not to worry: You still have plenty of opportunities to win other great prizes -- every Friday, in fact! You also can purchase one from the LazyBonezz website.

The RuffBowl simply snaps onto a large Flexi Leash, allowing you to never be without a bowl for rehydrating your pups. Check it out.

I appreciate the way the two items work together, leaving you one less thing to carry. The RuffBowl comes in red, blue, and green, and it also features a clip for holding a poop bag until you hit the nearest trashcan.

Share this image

We have three RuffBowls to give away. Please note: The bowl fits the large Flexi Leash only, and the leash is not included in this giveaway.

HOW TO WIN

Would you like the chance to win a Ruffbowl? If so, please do the following:

1. Create a Disqus account, if you haven't already, and include a valid email. It takes just a minute and allows you to better participate in Dogster's community of people who are passionate about dogs. If you already have a Disqus account, check it to ensure the account includes a valid email.
2. Comment below using your Disqus account, telling us a little about your dog or dogs. Photos are a plus! Our favorite comments win.
3. Check your email for a “You've Won!” message from us after noon, PST, on Wednesday, Feb. 13. We'll give the winners two days to respond before moving on to our next favorite comments.

If you don't score a RuffBowl, not to worry: You still have plenty of opportunities to win other great prizes -- every Friday, in fact! You also can purchase one from the RuffBowl website.

We had so many deserving dogs enter, but Angus had the right combination of adorable mug, compelling story, and good photo. We wish we could have had more winners, but we have only one Nigel and lots of work to do.

Here’s a photo of Angus sent by one of his humans, Megan Spoonamore:

Share this image

Here’s Angus’ story again, sent my Megan: “We drove four hours away to adopt Angus (then named Namath) last December. He was severely underweight and had the worst pressure wounds our vet had ever seen. We diligently dressed his wounds several times a day, and we gradually got that down to once per day. It was clear to see the pain in his eyes, but he always seemed grateful for our attention. It took well over six months to close up all the wounds, and he's putting on weight each meal. :) Angus has taught my daughters how to love and care for something. This level of compassion could not have been taught by just anyone. Angus came into our lives just at the moment when we needed. We are reminded by his expressive eyes just how much he needed us, but we remind him every day just how much we needed him in our hearts. Angus deserves to be immortalized, and although my daughter is quite the artist, I’m afraid her preschool portraits lack that certain something felt by Nigel's work. :)”

Share this image

As stated above, we had so many deserving dogs whose photos and stories we received. It really was a difficult decision, and everyone who sent us images and tales should be proud of their canines.

So, with that, here’s the portrait Nigel created for Angus:

Share this image

Nice work, Nigel! And great pose, Angus!

A framed print of this digital piece is on its way to Dogster HQ for Nigel to sign, after which we'll be shipping it to Megan. We wonder whether Angus will recognize himself dressed as a classic gentleman?

The company sent us the red Faux Hawk design to try. I love how the color complements Spot's black-and-white coat, and the size medium provides a snug fit made even cozier by a fleecey interior.

Share this image

Such a cool pup.

I also appreciate the slit above the signature Julius the Monkey image on the back, through which his leash attaches. The pocket below will come in handy for the extra bag I always seem to need when walking the pups.

Share this image

Such a cool hoodie.

The new Paul Frank Hoodie comes in light blue sans the faux hawk, as well, and a black version features Julius riding a scooter with the British flag waving behind. The sweatshirts range in price from $29.95 to $35.95, depending on the size, but one lucky Dogster reader will get one for free!

Share this image

I'm ordering this one for Dolly. Slimming black and the British flag!

HOW TO WIN

Would you like the chance to win a Paul Frank hoodie? If so, please do the following:

1. Create a Disqus account, if you haven’t already, and include a valid email. It takes just a minute and allows you to better participate in Dogster’s community of people who are passionate about dogs. If you already have a Disqus account, check it to ensure the account includes a valid email. 
2. Visit the Paul Frank Sweatshirts page on 26 Bars & a Band's website and like the company on Facebook. 
3. Come back and comment below using your Disqus account, telling us which hoodie you want and why. Be creative! Our favorite comment wins.
4. Check your email for a “You’ve Won!” message from us after noon, PST, on Wednesday, Dec. 12. We’ll give the winner two days to respond before moving on to our next favorite comment.

If you don’t score the hoodie, not to worry: You still have plenty of opportunities to win other great prizes -- every Friday, in fact! And you can always purchase one if you like for that special pup on your holiday shopping list.

Green Pet Gifts offers more than two dozen different baskets, including the Dog Bereavement Basket I wrote about recently, as well as the Ruff Ruff Rudolph Basket Pillsbury has generously provided as this week’s Friday Freebie giveaway.

Share this image

Ruff Ruff Rudolph Basket from Green Pet Gifts.

It includes:

• Simply Fido Limited-Edition Holiday Moose -- This dog toy made from organic materials comes complete with a squeaker.
• Up on the Rooftop Gingerbread and Peanut Butter Dog Treats -- Your pup will love these handmade organic cookies with yogurt icing.
• Paw Print Basket Box -- The reusable container can live on as a functional or decorative accessory.
• Personalized Gift Tag -- If you would like to send this gift basket to a furry friend on your holiday shopping list instead of to your own home, Pillsbury will include a personal message from you on the gift tag.

All Green Pet Gifts baskets arrive enclosed in biodegradable shrink-wrap and decorated with eco-friendly sinamay ribbon. Note: This contest is limited to the continental United States. 

HOW TO WIN

Would you like the chance to win a Ruff Ruff Rudolph Basket? If so, please do the following:

1. Create a Disqus account, if you haven’t already, and include a valid email. It takes just a minute and allows you to better participate in Dogster’s community of people who are passionate about dogs. If you already have a Disqus account, check it to ensure the account includes a valid email. 
2. Comment below using your Disqus account, telling us why you want the gift basket. Be creative! Our favorite comment wins.
3. Check your email for a “You’ve Won!” message from us after noon, PST, on Wednesday, Dec. 5. We’ll give the winner two days to respond before moving on to our next favorite comment.

If you don’t score the basket, not to worry: You still have plenty of opportunities to win other great prizes -- every Friday, in fact! And you can always purchase the basket if you like, and help animals in need by doing so. Green Pet Gifts donates 10 percent of its net profits to animal-related charitable organizations.

Dog Park Publishing has generously provided four calendars for Dogster readers. The winners will have your choice of For the Love of Pit Bulls or Itty Pitties, both of which feature 12 months of sweet dogs rescued from difficult circumstances. Each month displays a photo of a Pit Bull or two, as well as the story behind the rescue and recovery.

Share this image

For the Love of Pit Bulls by Dog Park Publishing.

Share this image

Itty Pitties by Dog Park Publishing.

The company, which sells a full line of Pit Bull-related items, donates a portion of its proceeds to dog rescue groups and shelters across the country. Its designated animal organizations have split more than $17,000 already this year.

HOW TO WIN

Would you like the chance to win a For the Love of Pit Bulls or an Itty Pitties calendar? If so, please do the following:

1. Create a Disqus account, if you haven’t already, and include a valid email. It takes just a minute and allows you to better participate in Dogster’s community of people who are passionate about dogs. If you already have a Disqus account, check it to ensure the account includes a valid email. 
2. Comment below using your Disqus account, telling us why you want the calendar. Be creative! Our favorite comments win.
3. Check your email for a “You’ve Won!” message from us after noon, PST, on Wednesday, Nov. 21. We’ll give each winner two days to respond before moving on to our next favorite comment.

If you don’t score one of the calendars, not to worry: You still have plenty of opportunities to win other great prizes -- every Friday, in fact!

Well, you voted, and the Samurai Beagle came out as top dog. We got in touch with the entrant behind the photo, and were touched by the response we received.

Share this image

The winning photo.

Share this image

Monroe in his samurai costume looking pretty slick.

The pup in the pic is named Monroe, and his human friend, Ben, made his Samurai costume for the Philippine Animal Welfare Society's (PAWS) annual Scaredy Cats and Dogs Costume Contest. Monroe's puppy brother, Daffyd, went as Cerberus.

Monroe and Daffyd both lost that contest. However, when we told Ben that Monroe was the winner of our contest, Ben asked that we donate the $25 Petco gift card to the Rescue Ink Shelter, which needs help after being hit by Hurricane Sandy. According to Ben, he and his partner promised Monroe that they would get him treats equal in worth to the Dogster prize if he was willing to give up the gift card to charity. Monroe, ever gracious, agreed.

Share this image

Monroe at the PAWS costume contest with Daffyd.

Share this image

Monroe and Daffyd cuddled up together -- so cute!

Gift card or not, Monroe and his human are winners in our book for their generosity.

They did, however, opt to keep the bragging rights. With kindness like that, they can brag all they like! Thanks so much to Ben for letting us share these photos.

This turf placemat resembles a large patch of grass with multiple “blades” and “valleys,” which require the use of snout, tongue, and paw to get at the food. The design aims to turn mealtime into a challenging game, thus slowing down eager eaters who suffer from gulping-related issues such as vomiting, choking, bloat, and other digestive problems.

Check it out:

I volunteered Dolly to test the feeder because she typically cleans her bowl in less than a minute, then moves on to help sibling Spot with his meal. She also suffers from seriously stinky gas, which could lessen with slower eating.

When I placed the feeder on the floor, she came over to watch as her evening allotment of food fell into the various “valleys.” She sniffed around the edges, then moved to a safe distance and began to whine. There also was glaring -- at the feeder and at me. 

Share this image

Dolly thought bubble: What have you done with my regular bowl?

I picked up pieces of kibble and dropped them back onto the feeder in case she didn’t get the point. Her glare told me, “Oh, I get it. I just don’t like it.” An hour later, the food remained in the feeder and her stomach was growling.

So, you might be wondering, why would I approve the Green interactive feeder as a Friday Freebie? Because Dolly does not speak for all dogs, and I believe that many would not only enjoy the challenge presented but also benefit health-wise from the prolonged eating time.

Designed by Danish product developer Frederik Lindskov, made by Northmate, and sold by the Company of Animals, the one-size-fits-all feeder for dogs and cats contains durable, phthalate-free plastic, which is dishwasher safe. 

HOW TO WIN

Would you like the chance to win a Green interactive feeder for your dog? If so, please do the following:

1. Create a Disqus account, if you haven’t already, and include a valid email. It takes just a minute and allows you to better participate in Dogster’s community of people who are passionate about dogs. If you already have a Disqus account, check it to ensure the account includes a valid email. 
2. Comment below using your Disqus account, telling us why you want the feeder. Be creative! Our favorite comment wins it.
3. Check your email for a “You’ve Won!” message from us after noon, PST, on Wednesday, Nov. 14. We’ll give the winner two days to respond before moving on to our next favorite comment.

If you don’t score the Green interactive feeder, not to worry: You still have plenty of opportunities to win other great prizes -- every Friday, in fact!

Share this image

The young Alison with dogs Boswell and Mischief.

“I used to think that my main motivation for getting a dog of my own was to connect myself to my past, to my childhood that was filled, in so many ways, by dogs. And having a dog has indeed done that for me," she writes in the introduction to her new memoir, You Tell Your Dog First.  "But the other thing that has happened, and this is something I believe in 100 percent, this is something I feel certain happens to all dog people: the dogs in our lives connect us to our present and to our futures. Dogs have made me more open and accepting of people, more understanding of my family, more on the wavelength of joy.” 

Share this image

Carlie and Alison

The book, published last week by Penguin, describes her life growing up with -- in this order -- a St. Bernard, an English Mastiff, an English Bulldog, a French Poodle, an English Sheepdog/Irish Wolfhound/something else mix, a Scottish Terrier, a Wheaten Terrier, three Shar-Peis, a Jack Russell terrier, a Corgi, and two Boston Terriers. 

The inspiration for You Tell Your Dog First  was, naturally, Carlie. "As a writer who works at home, I talk to my dog," Alison says. "Alas, she doesn’t answer but she has always been a wonderful sounding board. And the fact that I tell her so many things is just one aspect of the relationship I share with her. I hope you’ll enjoy reading about all the things I’ve shared with my dogs over the years. And less verbally, but perhaps more importantly, all the things my dogs have shared with me."

Alison is also generously offering Dogster readers a free sneak preview of the book's first chapter.  

HOW TO WIN

We have FIVE copies of You Tell Your Dog First to give away -- and the contest is open to readers worldwide!  

To enter, simply use your Disqus account to comment below to tell us the last thing you told your dog. We'll pick our favorite comment on Tuesday, November 13, at noon PST, and contact the winners by email. You'll have two days to respond or we'll pick another winner. 

Creating a Disqus profile and avatar just takes a minute and is a great way to participate in Dogster's community of people who are passionate about dogs. Please note that if your Disqus account doesn't contain a valid email address, you can't win because we can't contact you. Lame! So please check your account. 

Good luck, everyone! 

Share this image

Bow-Wow Super Tug Toy

You might remember the company name from a giveaway of its Bow-Wow Flirt Pole earlier this year. The dogs at Dogster HQ loved that toy, and Spot and Dolly feel the same way about this new one.

It features a 2-inch-wide polypropylene webbing strap that wraps around a tree. A marine-grade bungee cord attaches to the strap, and a braided-fleece tug toy loops onto the cord. The result: a tug-of-war toy that doesn’t require an opponent.

I wrapped the strap around a sizable tree at a nearby park and left Spot and Dolly to it. Spot immediately pounced, while Dolly stood back and watched. Usually when Dolly doesn’t feel like playing tug, I must assume her role, so I love that this toy allows me to sit out the game altogether -- no more sore shoulders from tugs and shakes!

Share this image

Spot Thought Bubble: New toy! Dolly Thought Bubble: How does this thing work? I don't want to end up in the water.

Dolly eventually joined in on the fun and teamed up with Spot against their opponent: the tree.

Share this image

Spot Thought Bubble: Grrrrrrrr. Stupid tree! Dolly Thought Bubble: Here, let me help.

And then they turned on each other.

Share this image

Spot Thought Bubble: I had it first! Dolly Thought Bubble: Respect your elders.

Squishy Face Studio says the toy stands up to the most powerful of dogs, but it does sell replacement fleece tugs and bungee cords. The soft tug will wear out with use, as will any toy of its kind, and the replacement cord comes to the rescue if the toy gets left in reach of an unsupervised super-chewer.

To see more of the Bow-Wow Super Tug Toy in action, check out this video featuring creator Justin Lohmann and his two rescue pups Max (the red-and-white Pit Bull) and Petey (the black-and-white Pit Bull mix).  

HOW TO WIN

Would you like the chance to win a Bow-Wow Super Tug Toy for your dog? If so, please do the following:

1. Create a Disqus account, if you haven’t already, and include a valid email. It takes just a minute and allows you to better participate in Dogster’s community of people who are passionate about dogs. If you already have a Disqus account, check it to ensure the account includes a valid email. 
2. Comment below using your Disqus account, telling us why you want the toy. Be creative! Our favorite comment wins the toy.
3. Check your email for a “You’ve Won!” message from us after noon, PST, on Wednesday, Nov. 7. We’ll give the winner two days to respond before moving on to our next favorite comment.

If you don’t score this Bow-Wow Super Tug Toy, not to worry: You still have plenty of opportunities to win other great prizes -- every Friday, in fact!

Thank you for all your submissions -- they were really awesome!

We've experienced some technical difficulties trying to get our voting system up and running, so we're extending voting to the end of the week -- past Halloween to Friday November 2nd -- to make sure everyone gets a chance to vote! Thanks for being so patient and understanding.

To vote, simply scroll through the photos and pick your favorite. In the upper right hand corner of each photo is a little "Vote" icon -- click on it and a heart will appear, which means your vote has been counted. There's a running total below so you can keep checking back.

Voting is now closed! Thanks for your participation! 

Photo: Funny little Chihuahua dressed up as a pumpkin for Halloween by Shutterstock

Share this image

Paula was inspired to create Fancy Feet after her Lab, Bunker, got cracked paw pads after a run.

Prickett was motivated to custom-concoct a cream that, she reports, "helped heal his pads and keeps him running faster than I can!" Fancy Feet, the all-natural paw balm she formulated, is now available to all dogs. It's made of beeswax and soothing oils of jojoba, avocado, and camellia, for a nontoxic way to keep canine paw skin moisturized and prevent painful cracks and splits.

That's especially important now, with winter right around the corner, because as every cold-climate canine knows, walking through snow, slush, ice, and salt can be rough on the feet.

Fancy Feet won't replace booties or whatever you normally use to protect Spot's dogs from raw, wintry terrain. It doesn't form a protective barrier. But the oils in the balm help keep pads soft and repel snow and ice. 

Share this image

Being "Minnesota Nice," naturally Prickett extends her concern to all dogs. Her company, A Balanced K9, donates 10 percent of all purchases to animal rescues to help dogs find their forever homes. 

Recent beneficiaries include Lily's Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary, Retrieve a Golden of Minnesota (RAGOM), Animal Care Center of St. John, and Emma Zen (which helps supply pet oxygen masks to fire departments). November's beneficiary will be All Dog Rescue. 

Share this image

Dog's paw pads by Shutterstock

Paula is offering readers a chance to win a 1.5-ounce tin of Fancy Feet (a retail value of $12.49)! Here's what you need to do. 

HOW TO WIN

Use your Disqus account to comment below and tell us how your pup would use Fancy Feet this winter. We'll pick our favorite comment on Monday, November 5, at noon PST, and contact the winner by email. You'll have two days to respond or we'll pick another winner -- that's just how it goes!

Creating a Disqus profile and avatar just takes a minute and is a great way to participate in Dogster's community of people who are passionate about dogs. Please note that if your Disqus account doesn't contain a valid email address, you can't win because we can't contact you. Lame! So please check your account. 

Good luck! 

We think we have a winner, but we’re not going to tell you who that is yet. Instead, today we bring you a handful of who we consider to be finalists, dogs whose combined stories and photos might help them become immortal at Nigel’s hand.

So here’s a qualifier: This was hard. Really really hard. If we’d chosen a winner based on who could be the first to answer some obscure bit of trivia, it would have been easy. But we took the brave route and said we’d choose our favorite. What we got were lots of very deserving dogs, many of which could be our favorite. "Your mileage may vary," as they say. But these are who we found most deserving.

Our first contender is Winston, nominated by reader Kelli Whitfield, who has great pictures and a compelling story:

Share this image

Winston

“Winston should be immortalized because he adds so much to the lives of the people who interact with him. Winston is a therapy dog who makes weekly visits at a local assisted living facility. Winston enjoys interacting with the residents and performing tricks for them. He can even play basketball by taking his plastic ball and dunking it into the basketball hoop. He also makes deliveries to the residents carrying cards and other gifts. The residents love to see him since they had to give up their pets to move into assisted care. Many of the residents do not have visitors often so they look forward to seeing Winston. Winston is a wonderful companion and a great dog.”

Share this image

Winston

Next is Daisy, whose story is also compelling and whose photos are pretty good too. Daisy was nominated by reader Michelle Eleanor Ziegler-Kosza.

Share this image

Daisy

“I would love to see our Daisy immortalized. She is my husband's first dog! He was not allowed a dog while he was growing up, so at 34 I surprised him with Daisy. It was love at first sight for both of them, and they quickly became inseparable. Every morning I get up and Daisy, who had been guarding our bedroom door, must head in to the room to make sure her "daddy" is there and to shower him in doggy kisses! When my husband gets home from work, it is Daisy who gets his attention first! A less-secure woman might be jealous, lol. I know Daisy will not be with us forever, and I hate to imagine the grief that my husband will experience. A portrait of this great, very special girl would be awesome to have; so we would always have her with us.”

Share this image

Daisy

Our next contender is Bonzer, nominated by Bonzer's Mom. She didn’t tell us much about Bonzer, but, well, the photo below we find very portrait-worthy. (What a goofball!)

“
I would love to have an original Nigel portrait of Bonzer. He's such a good boy -- in fact, that's his motto. He's a real charmer too, with his ready smile and one ear up and one ear down debonair look. He's a very special dog indeed.”

Share this image

Bonzer

Then there’s Jhonny. Like Bonzer, Jhonny’s human didn’t tell us that much about him, but we believe the photos make up for that.

Share this image

Jhonny

Wrote reader Kate Hogan: “I would love to have a custom portrait of my little Jhonny
 Vegas! We rescued him in July and aren't quite sure of his breed or age -- we 
believe him to be a Chihuahua and Brussels mix around 9 months. He is definitely a 
one-of-a-kind pup, and we would love to celebrate his uniqueness with this one-of-a-kind tribute.”

Share this image

Jhonny

Our final contender is Angus, whose story is quite touching and whose photos, well, you’ll see in a minute.

Share this image

Angus

Wrote Megan Spoonamore: “We drove four hours away to adopt Angus (then named Namath) last December. He was severely underweight and had the worst pressure wounds our vet had ever seen. We diligently dressed his wounds several times a day, and we gradually got that down to once per day. It was clear to see the pain in his eyes, but he always seemed grateful for our attention. It took well over six months to close up all the wounds, and he's putting on weight each meal. :) Angus has taught my daughters how to love and care for something. This level of compassion could not have been taught by just anyone. Angus came into our lives just at the moment when we needed. We are reminded by his expressive eyes just how much he needed us, but we remind him every day just how much we needed him in our hearts. Angus deserves to be immortalized, and although my daughter is quite the artist, I’m afraid her preschool portraits lack that certain something felt by Nigel's work. :)”

So here’s the second shot of Angus.

Share this image

Angus

That face! Who could resist?

Once our winner is final, we’ll have Nigel create the portrait and share it with everyone.

Now Nigel wants to do something nice for Dogster readers by giving you a chance to win a portrait of your dog. But before we go into the specifics about how to enter and what you’ll get, we’ll show you some of the illustrations he has done for us.

Here’s a shot of the big Italian Greyhound near our work area.

Share this image

Here’s a Basset Hound he drew to illustrate a story about the strange habits of readers’ dogs.

Share this image

This one’s a Chihuahua from that same story.

Share this image

The several dogs below illustrated a story about Suri Cruise, daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, and how she fell in love with a dog at a pet store -- and of course we encouraged her to adopt.

Share this image

Below is a video that shows him drawing a Dachshund.

Sketch Theatre 7 from nigel sussman on Vimeo.

For the winner, Sussman will create a digital full-color illustration of your dog. The final image will measure about 18 by 24 inches. We’ll have it printed, framed, and shipped for you.

Contest rules

To win, write in the comments section below and tell us why your dog should be made immortal in portraiture. Also attach a color image of your dog, the bigger and clearer the better. (Shots from a digital camera should be fine.) Include at least a head shot, but an accompanying full-body shot can’t hurt. 

We'll ask Nigel to pick his favorite -- and that lucky person will win the original artwork.

To be eligible, you must use your Disqus account to comment below. Creating a profile and avatar takes just a minute, and it’s a great way to participate in Dogster's community of people who are passionate about dogs. (And note that if your Disqus account doesn't contain a valid e-mail address, you can't win because we can't contact you. So please check your account.)

We'll notify the winner by e-mail, and you have two days to respond before we choose someone else.

The deadline is 12 noon PST on Tuesday, Oct. 2. This contest is open to everyone on the planet! 

Look at more of Nigel’s work on his website.

1. Grand Prize Winner: Todd

Share this image

Todd the Pomeranian started his life in a hoarder’s house with 40 other dogs. Read his winning rescue story.

2. Second Prize Winner: Idgie

Share this image

Idgie, a Chow Chow/German Shepherd mix, takes home second prize for sharing how a chicken-and-rice burrito tamed an abandoned dog found in a parking lot!

3. Third Prize Winner: Captain

Share this image

Captain the Dalmatian was crated in a dark, cold basement for up to 20 hours a day before his rescue at 6 months old.

Special Needs Winner: Van Winkle

Share this image

Van Winkle’s fur was so horribly matted when he arrived at animal services that he was unable to move. The American Cocker Spaniel wins the Special Needs category for overcoming all odds and finding his forever home.

Sassy's Seniors Winner: Houndy

Share this image

Houndy the Labrador Retriever waited nine long years at a rescue organization before he was adopted.

Rainbow Angel Winner: Conner

Share this image

Conner got picked up by the police, and it turned out to be the best brush with the law ever!

Honorable mentions

In alphabetical order: Beanster, CD, RN, CGC; Natasha, Pogo, Risa, and Zoey.

You can view all the dogs that participated this year in the Main Photo Gallery Adopt Stroll, the Angel Adopt Stroll, the Sassy Senior Adopt Stroll, and the Special Needs Adopt Stroll.

The contest is called Spirit of Dogster, and it involves photos of your canine companions. To enter, upload a photo that you believe illustrates the spirt of Dogster. (Duh.) Then get the people you know to vote for the image of your pup. The person with the most votes wins the gift certificate. Visit our Facebook page to enter.

As soon as we hit the 100K mark, we all brought our dogs to work and made a video to tell everybody about the accomplishment and the contest. See that below:

While we were on the set, Editor-in-Chief Janine Kahn shot behind-the-scenes photos that show not only the production but also our rad workspace at SAY Media and some of the people and dogs in their workplace habitat.

Share this image

Janine's Italian Greyhound, Moxie, is in this photo, along with GiGi (the Boston Terrier who writes our Ask GiGi advice column) and Rudy, the Chihuahua whose human is Creative Developer Steve Calderon.

Share this image

Dogster founder Ted Rheingold holds his own mutt, Moxie, while Social Media Manager Anna Zeman helps Eliot behind the camera.

Share this image

Senior Product Manager Rachel Wolan and her Labradoodle, Cora.

Share this image

Community Manager Lori Malm and her recent foster fail, Beasley the Pekingese, pose for Eliot Weisberg, our awesome video production manager (who has a tattoo of his cat on his leg!). 

Share this image

Senior Marketing Manager Erin Skidmore and Data Analyst Ryan Christo hold their beloved French Bulldog, Boogaloo.

The generous folks at HomeGoods have put together a gift package of some of their favorite canine products -- and one lucky reader will win! This package has a $120 retail value.

The prizes

• A dog bed -- you can choose large or small, depending on your dog. The large bed was made by Pillow Perfect and features a brown and gold stripe. The smaller bed looks like a miniature human armchair and is upholstered in a plain gray fabric, so you can cover it with a throw or blanket that matches your home.
• A Pooch Medium Dog bowl made of dishwasher-safe stoneware
• A Toss N Clutch ball toy with rope attached
• A Soft Flex Swirl Ball with molded squeaker

Share this image

Choose one of these beds, depending on your dog's size.

Share this image

Share this image

How to Enter

First of all, look at the pictures above and decide whether you'd like to win a small or a large bed for your pup. Then use the comments section below to tell us what a sleep-in looks like for you and your dog.

All entries must be received by Tuesday, July 31, 2012 at noon PST. To be eligible to win, you must use your Disqus account to comment below. Creating a profile and avatar takes just a minute, and it's a great way to participate in Dogster's community of people who are passionate about dogs.

We'll notify the winner by e-mail; you have two days to respond or we'll pick someone else. That's just how it goes. Good luck, everyone!