Star spaniel’s owner is cocker-hoop!
Reporter: JENNIFER HOLLAMBY
Date published: 24 July 2009
Photo: Main picture: ANTHONY MILLER
Top Dog! winner Lulu with her owner Andrea Maclean
Andrea Mclean has always known her cocker spaniel is a star — and now it seems the rest of Oldham agrees with her, too.
The loveable two-year-old has beaten off stiff competition to be crowned this year’s Oldham Evening Chronicle Top Dog!
The photographic pet promotion was run in conjunction with The Portrait Group and was sponsored by Manchester Street Veterinary Surgery.
More than 100 proud owners made their way to the Manchester Street Veterinary Surgery to have their prized pet’s photograph taken in a specially set-up studio.
All 102 images were reproduced in a Top Dog! Lifestyle special. And it was then up to Chronicle readers to vote for their favourite pooch.
A thrilled Andrea (37), from Glodwick, said “I’m so chuffed that Lulu has won. She was a bundle of fluff when I first met her and I fell in love with her instantly with her big eyes and floppy ears.
“Every time we take her out for a walk we are always being stopped by people saying how lovely she is.
“My parents look after her at their Shaw newsagent's during the week because I work full time and she’s built up quite a fan club there, too.”
Andrea will now take away £400 cash along with a framed picture of Lulu.
Just pipped to the post by Lulu is loveable two-year-old mongrel Tilly Flop, whose thrilled owner Keith Clarke, of Huxley Street, Oldham, will receive £100.
Keith said: “We’ve had Tilly Flop since she was a pup and she’s given us so much pleasure. She’s a really friendly dog and very popular.”
And in third place was 10-year-old Blue Bedlington terrier, Phoenix, whose proud owner Fay Jones, of Bute Avenue, Oldham, took him in after spotting him at a Bedlington rescue centre.
She said: “I’m disabled and Phoenix helps me so much around the house. Phoenix is very gentle and very popular with my neighbours and never gives anybody any trouble. I’m chuffed to bits.”
Fay will also collect £100.
