Time to Vote!  Scroll Down to the VOTE NOW for how to cast your vote!

I can hardly believe we are doing this for a third time!

Back in 2024, I wanted to do something different to bring our community together.  For the first couple years in business, we would have a photo shoot and send out cards for the holidays.  It was a way to engage with the community outside of social media and the newsletter. 

The cards were getting a bit difficult to manage and it didn't quite feel like it was bringing the community together in the way I wanted.  I wanted to do something different, but couldn't figure it out.  

In the shower one day, I had a thunderbolt of inspiration!  (Why is it that bursts of inspiration always seem to happen in the shower?)

The idea: we would host a photo contest and create a calendar of all the wonderful pets in our community! 

It was the perfect idea as I know two things about our community: you love to share photos of your pets and you love a good giveaway!

We are changing it up a bit this year....

The last two years the photo contest hashtags were: #granddogsof2024 and #granddogsof2025 .  

While those hashtags had a nice flow to them, it left out an important part of our community: CATS! 

We always accepted cat photos, but some people were unsure since they weren't included in the hashtag. 

So this year, the hashtag is: #granddogsandcatsof2026 .

Keep reading for how to join in the fun, but first....

Parachutes for Pets

Not only does this bring our community together, but it's also an initiative to support the broader community.

Once the calendar is complete, they will be sold on our website with 100% of the proceeds being donated to Parachutes for Pets in Edmonton.  

Parachute for Pets is an advocacy centre in Calgary and Edmonton that provides support for low income families and their pets.  

Learn more about Parachute for Pets Edmonton

The Process

Ok, let's dive in!

The process is broken up into three stages.  The first stage is the Photo Contest & Giveaway.  The entry window for the photo contest and giveaway is October 17 - 31, 2025.

Submit your best, high quality photo(s) of your dog(s) and/or cat(s) on Instagram or via email for a chance to enter the photo contest and two draws.  More on how to submit below.

Each entry enters your name into a draw.   Once the entry window closes we will draw two names, the first will win $150 store credit to the Grand Dog shop  and the second winner will receive a Mine Pet Platter of their choosing!

TWO WAYS TO ENTER: 

1. Enter on Instagram - click here to see all post details.

2. Email Photo submissions to info@granddog.ca with the subject: 2026 PHOTO CONTEST

Stage two of the process is when the Grand Dog team goes over all entries and decides on 24 photos to move to the last round. 

The final stage is when you get to vote for the final 14 photos to be included in the calendar. 

🐾 DON'T FORGET TO INCLUDE IN YOUR POST #GrandDogsandcatsof2026 and @granddogessentials !  You must be following us on Instagram to be eligible for the draw prizes.  No tagging = no entry 

VOTE NOW

Follow along! 

As the process unfolds, we will keep you updated through this blog post, on social media ( @granddogessentials ) and through the newsletter.  Make sure you are following along to see who the draw winners are, when you will be able to vote, and finally when you can get your hands on the #granddogsandcatsof2026 calendars!  

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See Last Years Submissions

Have fun everyone!  

Amanda Monsma (she/her)

info@granddog.ca

(877) 494-0682