Wigan four-legged fund-raiser wins national prize

Monty, who is a Newfoundland, and Mark Sanders received the Best Pet Blog accolade for their humorous accounts of the things that happen to them and life from a dog’s perspective.

Monty and Mark have become well known for their work supporting charities, their visits to schools and nursing homes and their annual light-hearted Christmas poems.

He said: “One of the other awards was won by Nicky Campbell. He got a lifetime achievement award for the work he does with animals. To be in that sort of company is pretty special.

“The organiser told me the blog was selected because it’s very much about telling stories, cheering people up and giving them a smile.

“They were looking for a blog which has had the biggest impact on people. It’s really nice because that has always been our aim.

“It’s not a typical pet blog because a lot of the stories are told through a dog’s eyes.

“I was quite shocked when our name was called out. Monty doesn’t get too excited, I think he expected to win.”

The Animal Star Awards, founded by Mary Burgess in 2015, recognise extraordinary things people and their furred or feathered friends do.

Almost 500 nominees competed for the 15 category prizes, with the judges including Will Travers, the founder of the Born Free Foundation.

To read Monty’s blog, go to montydogge.com/monty-blog

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