Nat Griffin – AmeliasMagazine

Amelia’s Magazine | The Canine Games 2012 Illustrated

thecaninegames-by-Nanae-Kawahara
The Canine Games by Nanae Kawahara.

Last Saturday east London hosted the very first Canine Games, a chaotic mishmash of dog parade, craft stalls and musical entertainment. Due to the recent heavy rain it was decided to host the doggy counterpart to the Olympics inside the Bethnal Green Working Mens Club – a decision that soon became rather difficult to manage. Just think dozens of slightly confused dogs in fancy dress and their owners all squashed into a tiny venue: the dog show just wasn’t going to work within these four walls.

the canine games july 2012

All photography by Amelia Gregory.

Luckily the weather held for a bit and the decision was made to relocate temporarily to the patch of grass over the road. There the competitive element of the day was held, with awards going to various genres of dog: my favourite trophy went to a chihuahua dressed up as Lady Gaga in the celebrity look alike section, which included a number of arbitrary competitors, including an entrant who looked like Frank Sinatra ‘cos he’s got blue eyes’.

the canine games july 2012

The Hackney Secular Singers serenaded the ‘Best Punk Dog‘ section, and then the skies opened again so everyone retreated indoors once more and I trundled off to look at the graduate exhibitions. Despite the weather there was a magnificent turnout so let’s hope it becomes a regular affair. In the meantime: enjoy these illustrations of The Canine Games (I wonder what happened to the Olympics inspired events?!)