Is your dog unconventionally attractive, a mongrel, ill-mannered, disobedient or a bit of an odd shape?
If you can answer yes to any of these questions, a forthcoming local event may be just up your street.
Barklife: Scruffs – billed as an alternative Crufts – will be a community outdoor dog show in Dalmeny Street Park, from 2–4pm on Sun. 26 August.
Waggiest tails will be rewarded 'in a relaxed and inclusive environment'. Expect judged competitions for non-competitive types, prizes for people who look like dogs and vice-versa, an obstacle course, information stands promoting good dog practice, refreshments, and input from mutt-friendly local shops and services. There is a dog theme to all this, you may have noticed.
Entry will be by donation, with proceeds going to the Edinburgh Cat and Dog Home and the Scottish Husky Society. (Husky as in dog, not as in hoarse after shouting at a dog all afternoon to come back and bloody-well behave itself.)
'We want the park to be enjoyed and looked after by everyone,' says Aoife O'Callaghan, 'responsible dog owners, their pets and locals alike. Scruffs is championing this, as well as getting the dogs together to make new pals.'
[Image: Piccolo Namek/Creative Commons]