Honey I Shrunk The Dogs
A tiny dog sits in the palm of a gorilla. Neither animal seems to notice the other. It’s the same with the bear when another tiny dog stands beside its large right paw. Both are outside a row of shops, on a pavement in Essex. The dogs are Bert and Otis. Otis is a dog who once lived in a puppy farm. I don’t know the names of the gorilla or bear. I do know they have just played a willing – if passive – role in an ingenious Schnauzerfest fundraiser.
“Honey I Shrunk the Dogs!” is the creation of Becky Wash, Otis’s adopter and keen charity fundraiser. Becky came up with the idea of recreating the 1990s movie to raise awareness and funds during the month of October. Over 10 days Becky shared photographs taken during walks with her dogs Otis and Bert depicting them in tiny form. All photos appeared in original form, with no photoshopping or camera trickery.
Promising a return to normal size for the brothers in exchange for donations Becky quickly exceeded her £200 target.
The idea was smart, the execution perfect. As a result it swiftly found its way around social media, reaching thousands and raising smiles.
Becky explains how the fundraiser came about,
“The whole idea started whilst walking the dogs around the block, past our local petrol station. I saw this huge Costa cup – and instantly had the idea. Then I had to see if it could work.
Many of the pictures were taken over the summer when there were temporary giant model installations during the school holidays. We walked many miles and visited some great places to take the photos. A lot of hours and plenty of planning went into the challenge but we loved every minute”.
Becky’s motivation to support Schnauzerfest is personal. For the first few years of his life Otis was in a puppy farm. He was rescued in an operation involving 64 other dogs living in terrible conditions. Otis has been with Becky and her husband for seven years and still has physical and mental health issues caused by his time in the puppy farm.
Becky is an active supporter of Schnauzerfest, and other charities. She regularly comes up with ideas which benefit the charity in many ways. A combination of creativity and artistry produces original campaigns which I always find enchanting. This is an elusive, sought for quality in animal welfare campaigns and Schnauzerfest is fortunate to have Becky on board. Becky kindly acts as one of the charity’s fundraising mentors.
If you’d like to see how Becky completed the challenge by sharing pictures of Bert and Otis returned to full size, it’s well worth browsing them here.
Becky’s fundraiser is remaining open for a while and still accepting donations here.
If you’d like to see more of Becky’s creative work, she makes beautiful notebooks from old book covers, I have several and they are interesting, unique and gifts to treasure.
