This post is in partnership with Focus Features
Last month we hosted the Best in Show Dog Photo Contest to show how rewarding it is to adopt rescue dogs from animal shelters.
Hundreds of you submitted dog photos and voted for the top rescue dogs, and we announced the three lucky winners here. In addition to a prize pack including autographed Beginners movie posters and books, each winner will be receiving a personalized illustration of their pet pooch by Beginners director, artist, and rescue dog owner Mike Mills.
While the winning dogs will be receiving their original signed drawing in the mail, we wanted to post them here to share with everyone who helped them win . Enjoy!
See Crash’s original photo here.
Crash
Crash, about 8 years old, was on death row for looking like a pit bull, but he was rescued by a “bully breed” foster program. When Crash’s foster mom brought him over in the winter of 2005 to meet our boerboel Josie, they were instant best friends.
Owner: Jeff Vier
See Iko Ando and Uni’s original photo here.
Iko Ando and Uni
Iko Ando (sesame male) and Uni (white female) are two Shiba Inus that were rescued by the Saving Shibas nonprofit in the L.A. area. Uni’s owner tried to hand her off to any passersby who would take her, while Iko Ando was most likely confined in a backyard as he had no training and underweight. Now they’re BFFs and living happily in the Bay Area!
Owner: Jenny Hatfield
See Copper’s original photo here.
Copper
I began my search for a companion to explore, to wander, to journey, to learn, and to live with me by their side. Eventually, I was matched by an SPCA with my current best friend, and loyal rescue canine, Copper. Not only do we share a common interest in all things outdoorsy, we must have common ancestry due to our strawberry blonde disposition.
Owner: Jamie Shifrin
Congrats to all the winners and thanks again to the GOOD community for supporting rescue dog adoption.
And remember, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA®) estimates that 5 to 7 million animals enter shelters every year across the country, and approximately 3 to 4 million are euthanized. Adopting rescue animals can be life saving and helps support humane care programs. To find a shelter near you and learn about the ASPCA’s programs, click here.
