A Northern Ireland cafe and pottery working with people with learning difficulties and autism, is on the search for Northern Ireland’s top dog to help boost the team and their customers.
Loaf in Crawfordsburn, Co Down, is an access all areas spot for pets and their people and every purchase, from their wood fired pizzas to their beautifully glazed plates, make a real difference to the lives of the team.
Run by the NOW Group, the social enterprise was set up in 2000 to help people with learning difficulties, disabilities and autism gain qualifications and essential life and work skills and supports them to move into jobs with a future.
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And with dogs being a big favourite amongst the team and their customers, both inside and out of the cafe, they felt it was time to take Northern Ireland’s canine culture to the next level.
With pets in mind, Loaf Pottery and Cafe has introduced a new range of handcrafted dog bowls and created a competition to hear why customers’ dogs are so cherished.
DogsLive Editor Jilly Beattie will be helping to judge the competition and entries are now open. Entrants have until Sunday, August 21, to submit their favourite photo of their dog and a 50-word summary on why they deserves the title.
The winning dog will walk away with a professional photo shoot, a collection of handmade Loaf Pottery, including a personalised dog bowl, plus three month’s supply of dog food from competition sponsors, Co Down company, Werewolf Food.
Diane Hill from the NOW Group, said: “The launch of Northern Ireland’s next top dog competition is not only a chance to recognise some amazing dogs, but a new opportunity to tell stories that we may never have heard otherwise.
“Dogs have played such an important part in people’s lives the last few years, providing companionship and a form of protection for our mental and physical health. It brings me great joy that we are providing a springboard to celebrate our dogs and what better way to launch our newest Loaf Pottery dog bowl range than offering a chance to celebrate with our furry best friends.”
If you think your dog has what it takes to lead the pack and be named NI’s No1 you can click here and follow the link to explain why your dog is tops.
All profits from Loaf Pottery are reinvested into the work of the NOW Group, making a real difference to the lives of participants.
Jilly Beattie, Editor of DogsLive, said: “We are thrilled to help judge this great competition, knowing the vital role LOAF plays in our community and also, just how important dogs are in our world.
"Their role in everyday life, in people’s wellbeing and now for many, in their workplaces and social spaces, cannot be underestimated, and having a groundbreaking social enterprise recognise and honour that only helps spread an important message.
“Where people and animals are labelled as underdogs in life, we all have a duty to help create or support a place of patience and compassion which allows them to blossom and thrive, whether it is at home, in the street or in a cafe like LOAF. When we offer that helping hand, we cannot help but discover and reveal our own humanity and the endless possibilities that come with it.”
Werewolf Food, a subscription-based dog food delivery service in Downpatrick, Co Down is sponsoring the competition. Bridgeen Hanlon, co-founder of the business said: “We are delighted to support Loaf Pottery’s inaugural search for NI’s next top dog. “As a family, this social enterprise is very close to our hearts, and of course so are dogs, so coming on board as sponsor is a great match for us.
"The winning dog will win a three-month supply of our delicious and nutritious kibble which will keep their skin and coat in tip top condition and support their growth by providing high-quality nutrients.
“Supporting dog’s to lead long and happy lives is exactly why we do what we do so we’re looking forward to seeing the pictures of happy dogs coming through from owners right across Northern Ireland.”
You have until Sunday, August 21, to submit your favourite photo of your dog(s) and a 50-word summary on why you think they deserve the title.
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