A PHOTOGENIC dog has been named runner-up in a national photo competition run by a veterinary charity.

Puppy Naimh, who lives with her owners Simon Goodwin and his partner Sue Bernhard Smith in Cradley, near Malvern, was entered into the PDSA charities competition on the internet.

Ms Bernhard Smith decided to enter her favourite photo of Naimh, a bearded collie/ spaniel cross, who was soaking wet after playing in their garden pond.

She said: “As soon as I saw PDSA’s competition I knew I had to enter a picture of Naimh. She looks really cheeky in this photograph – she knows she shouldn’t really be swimming in the garden pond, but she still manages to look cute for the camera.

“Naimh is one of four rescue dogs and three cats that we own and they all get along really well together. She’s got such a cheeky personality.

“We think the world of her and are thrilled PDSA picked her photograph as runner-up,” she added.

Hundreds of pet owners responded to the PDSA’s call for posing pets with star quality, and Naimh bowled the judges over – and her prize was a goodie bag of doggie delights and a framed photograph.

PDSA spokesman Lisa Nickless said: “It’s obvious that Brits absolutely adore their pets, and love taking photographs of them “This year we had some really fantastic, high quality entries. Thanks to everyone who entered the competition and generously gave PDSA a donation. The funds raised will help our vets and nurses treat sick and injured pets through our PetAid services.”

The national winner of the competition was a one-year-old West Highland terrier called Poppy, whose owner Alan Armstrong from Gateshead, won a camera phone and PDSA Dog and Bone SIM card.

PDSA is the UK’s leading veterinary charity and will provide 1.8 million free treatments to pets of people in need this year.

For more information about PDSA and to see all the winning entries in the 2008 pets’ gallery competition, visit pdsa.org.uk