First of Two Photo Collections

TSUEN WAN, Hong Kong -- About 80 dogs, dozens from ambassador-dog programs and some from the police, corrections, fire-services and customs authorities, held the limelight at the annual Dog Devotion Awards held outside a shopping centre here on February 24. The Animals Asia Foundation (AAF) organizes the annual event.

Everywhere you looked, tails wagged. Dogs took the initiative to introduce themselves, their paws outstretched for handshakes. People smiled and patted furry heads.

One award-winner, a “civilian” cross-breed named Fok Chai, qualified by alerting his owner to a hazardous electrical fault in her refrigerator. “The worried dog constantly barked at the refrigerator,” said Marnie Yau of the AAF.

Organizers also singled out Sasha, a Labrador retriever working as an investigator with the Fire Services Department. Sasha’s trained to sniff out the hydrocarbons that imply arson. “At fire scenes, she’s tireless,” Marnie said.

The AAF uses the awards -- medals, trophies and certificates -- to recognize diligent and “wonderful” community work by mankind’s best friends. Its “ambassador dogs” join two programs – Dr Dog and Professor Paws. In the former, selected canines make “pet therapy” visits to hospitals and seniors homes. Professor Paws sends friendly dogs into schools to help teach the joys, benefits and duties of interacting with animals.

Golden retrievers, typically gentle and friendly, collected the most awards. “But any kind of dog can be a good dog,” Marnie said. Each canine winner stood on stage to applause from the hundreds-strong human crowd.

At intervals, children, dressed as mice to mark the Chinese Year of the Rat, trotted on stage to dance. Always discrete (like good ambassadors), the canines didn’t comment on the costumes.

By all indications, the dogs loved the occasion. So did their owners and admirers. “My dog, Lucky, enjoyed his day out and received extra biscuits when he got home,” said Ann Williams, a pleased dog-owner.

Words and Photos by John Cairns



A friendship blossoms.


Ready to mingle: a small dog looks
for chances to work the big crowd.


Dressed as mice, young dancers perform
for an audience of people and dogs.


A thoughtful pet considers: 'It's like the
Academy Awards for Hong Kong dogs.'


A medal hangs on a furry torso.


Pride in prizes: a tiny dog poses
with many symbols of success.

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