Top Dog

FROM more than 270 fantastic pooches, seven-year-old border collie Simba has leapt into your hearts to become Top Dog in The Evening Star's canine cavalcade.

Thanks to your voting, Simba has won a year's supply of delicious dog food - and a year's worth of pride to go with it!

Your pictures flooded in by post and email in response to our quest to find the top dogs in the region and Simba was top of the pile.

Owner Sharen Crane couldn't believe the family's special friend had scooped the top prize.

"I was totally shocked," she said. "When we were told the other day we thought it was an April Fools joke."

Husband Mark, and children Jamie, 13, and nine-year-old Jordan were howling with delight with Simba's super showing.

Mrs Crane, of Johnson Close, Ipswich, said: "The children were well excited and very thrilled and really couldn't believe it.

"Simba is so special to them and the whole family. And he always greets his grandmother, Gill, by licking her ear."

She added: "I take Simba up to school with me and all the children love to stroke him.

"A lot of people know him, which really helped the voting.

"And winning the dog food will save me a lot of money!"

The great prizes for the top three dogs are courtesy of Seapets of Martlesham.

Playful border terrier Milo snatched the runners-up prize of a dog bed and toys.

Dad David Searle, of Drybridge Hill, Woodbridge, said it was the perfect treat for his barking mad one-year-old.

"The dog bed and toys will be great because he gets through them like nobody. He is a typical border terrier.

"Milo is such a lovely dog and he means the world to me and my wife Tam.

"Tam is over the moon because she does all the hard work and walks him.

"But Milo is just so cute. He is very well known by everybody and they all say how lovely he is."

Kim lapped up third prize and will enjoy all the benefits of a grooming kit.

Make sure you look out for the Evening Star's Top Cat awards coming soon.