OUR elected officials often struggle to reach out across party lines and find things in common with opposition politicians – but there's one beloved annual event that makes sure differences can be put to one side, even if just for an afternoon.
The Holyrood Dog of the Year event took place outside the Scottish Parliament earlier today, with 10 MSPs and their furry friends competing for the prestigious award.
According to the Kennel Club, which teams up with the MSPs to host the apolitical competition each year, the event "celebrates the unique bond between man and dog – and aims to promote responsible dog ownership".
READ MORE: WATCH: BBC newsreader can't handle the puns in Holyrood Dog of the Year segment
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club secretary, added: "The competition itself is light-hearted and an entertaining day out – not least because of the unusual criteria on which the dogs are judged!"
This year, the MSPs participating included Tories Jeremy Balfour, Bill Bowman and Jamie Halcro Johnston, Labour's Iain Gray, Monica Lennon and Richard Leonard, the SNP's David Torrance and Christine Grahame, LibDem Alex Cole-Hamilton and the Greens' Alison Johnstone.
Holyrood Dog of the Year, class of 2019 pic.twitter.com/qCPTwBm7Ya
— Philip Sim (@BBCPhilipSim) April 29, 2019
The Parliamentarians were able to bring their own woofers or team up with a Dogs Trust rescue dog for the event.
The MSPs showed off their dogs' agility in a series of high-impact obstacle challenges.
Holyrood Dog of the Year; the genuine highlight of the parliamentary calendar pic.twitter.com/pqvorjrsBK
— Philip Sim (@BBCPhilipSim) April 29, 2019
Balfour and his dog Sadie won the official title, while Johnstone and her Dogs Trust rescue dog Georgie came second, and Lennon and her pup Cuillin came third.
Absolutely brilliant coverage of Holyrood Dog of the Year from @BBCPhilipSim and @HolyroodLiam 🐶🐕🐩👑 pic.twitter.com/l4H64LxMiR
— Louise Wilson (@louisewilso) April 29, 2019
And even for the canines that didn't secure a place of the podium, there was some good news.
Bowman's incredibly fluffy rescue pup Doug has managed to find a new family to live with since taking part in the competition.
Great to take part in the Holyrood Dog of the Year with Doug, a rescue dog from @DogsTrust - fantastic news that he has now found a new family. pic.twitter.com/iR5obc0qZO
— Bill Bowman MSP 🏴🇬🇧 (@billabowman) April 29, 2019
But some dogs weren't too thrilled to have missed out on the title ...
The moment Alex Cole-Hamilton’s dog found out he hadn’t won Holyrood Dog of the Year... pic.twitter.com/kZfNqjIEGV
— Tom Eden (@TomEden11) April 29, 2019
Until next time, four-legged friends ...
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here