Lek Enters the Photo Contest and Steals the Show

I almost did not enter the pet photo contest. The competition at a cafe in Sukhumvit was judged by a local photographer, and I figured my golden retriever Lek would be too busy sniffing the floor to look anywhere near the camera. Lek is a Golden Retriever, which means he is never far from a tennis ball, a puddle, or a snack. On the morning before the contest I took him to the park near our building for practice shots. Every time I said look, he looked at the ball in my hand instead. I tried again and again until I had about forty photos of the back of his head. On the day, the judge stopped at our table and asked what my trick was. I told her the truth: a squeaky toy held just beside the lens and a lot of patience. Lek ended up with a second-place ribbon and a bag of dog treats, which he has already decided are his. Honestly, I am happy with the photo that made the wall. It shows him mid-jump with his ears flying, and the only thing he is thinking about is the next ball.