Flo and Lily, a pair of adorable cockapoos dressed in festive attire, have captured hearts and won first place in a holiday competition organized by the housing association LiveWest.
The “My Festive Moment” contest invited residents to share unique ways they celebrate the season. Julie Turnbull, a LiveWest resident, secured the top prize by submitting a joyful photograph of her dogs during their traditional annual Christmas walk in Street.
This festive dog-walking tradition began during the lockdown and is now in its fourth year. Julie and her friends gather each holiday season to walk their dogs dressed in woolly jumpers, carefully choosing the coldest day near Christmas to keep the dogs comfortable. The group typically includes seven or eight dogs enjoying the festive fun together.
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Julie explained, “We wanted to do something like Christmas jumper day but for dogs. Everyone loved the idea! The dogs don’t mind the outfits and still run around playing as usual. It’s a wonderful way to share Christmas spirit with our furry friends.”
One special dog in the group is a Romanian rescue, adopted by one of Julie’s friends. Julie described their dynamic: while some dogs dash ahead, the rescue takes a slower pace, and Flo and Lily enjoy a relaxed sniffy walk, often ending up alongside her.
Winning the competition earned Julie a new air fryer, which she plans to use to prepare homemade treats for her dogs. “I recently saw a recipe for dog-friendly gingerbread online, so I might try making it in the air fryer,” she said excitedly.
Capturing the perfect group photo can be a challenge. “We throw lots of treats to get them all looking at the camera,” Julie shared. She also expressed gratitude for the local open fields where the group enjoys long walks.
The dog-walking group often includes foster dogs, adding even more meaning to their gatherings. Julie reflected fondly on past pack members who have since found forever homes, emphasizing the simple joy dogs feel just by being together.
LiveWest, the housing association behind the competition, serves over 80,000 people across the South West, providing more than 40,000 homes and planning to build over 5,000 more in the coming years.