I couldn’t help but smile to myself last week at the typically British scene unfolding before my eyes.  It was our Westminster Dog of the Year competition, and despite the relentless drizzle and ominous grey clouds, everyone present – four-legged and two-legged – was in high spirits.  I think the brandy in the coffee may have helped!

It’s the one day of the political year when media attention is not focused on the MPs’ policies and personalities, but on their best friend; their dog.  The MPs also get the chance to show the nation that no one is too important to have their face slobbered upon – or scoop the poop.

I like to think of the Westminster Dog of the Year competition as a celebration of all that we love about our dogs – and this is reflected in the judging criteria; marks were given for companionship, special qualities and identification. 

My fellow judges, Caroline Kisko from the Kennel Club, last year‘s winner Eric Martlew MP and Andrew Rosindell MP, were most impressed with all of the beautiful dogs in the show ring.  I am pleased to say that among this year’s pawlitical pooches there were two rescue dogs – Max belonging to Mike Hall MP, and Alfie belonging to Marie Woolf, political editor of the Independent on Sunday. 

A special award was given to Lulu, the beautiful Newfoundland belonging to Roger Gale MP, in recognition of her many years of fundraising for various charities.  Sarah McCarthy-Fry’s crossbreed, Dudley, received a special award for bravery, having had his fur ruffled the previous weekend by a much larger dog.

Finally, I was delighted with our choice of overall winner – Max.  This handsome black crossbreed belonging to Mike Hall MP seemed to be the only contender.  Not only was he utterly devoted to Mike and his wife, Lesley, but he had endured a tough puppyhood and had had two previous owners already in his short life. 

When Mike described what a timid fellow Max used to be – hiding inside the washing machine when startled by loud noises – it would have taken a heart of stone not to be moved by the huge improvements in his confidence, brought about solely through his owners’ love. 

Clarissa

PS Congratulations too for our noble runners up – Myrtle, the Cocker Spaniel belonging to Daily Express political correspondent Gabriel Milland, and Michael, the black Labrador belonging to David Amess MP.