The Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind association runs a competition each year for doggy-related photos to include in their calendar. After much cajoling by my wife and mother (sometimes it’s a mixed blessing that they get on so well), I submitted three entries.
Today I got a very polite letter informing me that one of my photos has been selected for the 2008 calendar (although I don’t yet know which one, or for which month). I don’t know whether to count this as my first publication or first competition win. Hell, I’ll go with both! Previously, I’d complained that the 2007 calendar was full of out-of-focus, overexposed rubbish but of course the 2008 calendar will now be the pinnacle of Irish canine photography 
The calendar will be widely available for sale towards the end of the year. The three entries I’d submitted are below:
Maybe they had a limited choice of non-over exposed or out of focus rubbish
Its hard to tell which one they will use. The first ones of Collie are kind of classic dog poses, while the last one of Hope is more artistic.
I just received a letter yesterday: it’s #2 but I don’t know what month yet.