At this year’s DogFest, Baltimore Dog Magazine held its first Cover Dog Contest. With over 175 photogenic canines to choose from, meet our winner, Bigley — the Best of the Fest.
The weather was picture-perfect, and the event, DogFest, held at Shawan Downs to benefit the Baltimore County Humane Society, drew a crowd of 4,200 humans and 3,100 of their four-legged counterparts, raising more than $60,000 for the shelter.
Dogs and owners stood patiently in line for more than an hour waiting for the dogs to be photographed, grasping at the opportunity to win Baltimore Dog Magazine’s model search for the next cover dog.
Zuni, a mix from Baldwin had just won first place in the 5K race followed by another first in the rescue category. He and his owner thought that by entering the photo contest he would have a shot at a DogFest Triple Crown. But it was not to be. After viewing nearly 200 entries and laboring hour after hour over them, it was Bigley, a nine-month-old Welsh Terrier from Elkton, who, with the tilt of his head and flash of the camera, captured the hearts at Baltimore Dog Magazine.
“I looked at the photos so many times that I had the order of the photos on the website memorized,” said BDM editor Denise Iannatuono. “It was an extremely difficult choice but I kept going back to Bigley. There was something special about his personality that came through in the photo,” she said.
Bigley’s proud owners, Jeff and Melissa Massey, were ecstatic when they received the call. Not having a dog since they were young children, the Massey’s had been longing for the perfect dog to add to their own household. “You don’t see Welsh Terriers that often. I researched the breed,” said Melissa. “It was love at first sight when we saw the plump puppy that, out of a litter of nine, was the one pup that immediately gravitated towards us. I can’t imagine life without Bigley” she said.
Bigley’s favorite pastime is chasing squirrels, but he also enjoys playing with tug toys and being spoiled with a fresh supply of stuffed animals. He loves all people and dogs and really enjoys his new hobby of roaming area dog parks.
When Melissa was asked why she thought Bigley was chosen the winner of our model search, she replied, “He just looks adorable.” Well, Bigley, you won our vote.
At this year’s DogFest, Baltimore Dog Magazine held its first Cover Dog Contest. With over 175 photogenic canines to choose from, meet our winner, Bigley — the Best of the Fest.
“I looked at the photos so many times that I had the order of the photos on the website memorized,” said BDM editor Denise Iannatuono. “It was an extremely difficult choice but I kept going back to Bigley. There was something special about his personality that came through in the photo,” she said.
