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Audio PlayerDeep in the swamp in the dead of night, an unearthly sound groans though an eerie blue mist. Tall, skeletal silhouettes rise from stagnant water, their bare limbs stretching towards the sky like macabre fingers summoning darkness to descend upon a forsaken landscape. An unearthly presence permeates the air, something alive, but not of this world. The air is thick with silence, save for the faint ripple of something alive beneath the surface…….but wait, yet another guttural moan penetrates the dark, and every hair stands on end, every nerve ending now raw with fear. Everything that should be alive appears dead in this place, and you, unfortunate visitor, may become the next victim for a creature has surfaced from the shadows. Such places do not give up their secrets to intruders.
Are you in the mood, yet?
Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, National Purebred Dog Day is delighted to reprise the very popular “Swamp Creature” Challenge, a contest held in memory of Jay Kitchener, a tireless advocate for purebred dog ownership and ethical breeding. “Ditch the guilt” and “Take back the conversation” were “Jay-isms” that Jay coined to push back against poorly written legislation and the unfair portrayals of those who own and ethically breed purebred dogs. Jay was notorious for a wicked sense of humor, and this contest would have been right up his alley.
The challenge: “Creep out” our judges! Swamps are beautiful, but they hide more than they reveal. Your challenge is create a swamp creature (your dog) that will unsettle our judges. Make them recoil in fear (or laugh doing it) with a creative entry that should be unearthly, disturbing, and frightening.
The prize: $100 Visa Cash Card
The Sponsor: A very generous donor who wishes to stay anonymous
The Dreaded Small Print You Must Read To Enter
•••• This contest happens on May 1 on our Facebook page. It is open to US residents;
•••• One entry per person; You may enter four different photo challenges. If you enter this one, you may enter three more;
•••• When submitting your photo entry on Facebook, you must indicate the name of this contest, “2025 Swamp Monster” Photo Challenge;
•••• Your entry must be for the 2025 contest. Photos submitted from previous years’ contests will be disqualified, and yes, we remember photos from one year to the next;
•••• Within the photo, your image must include a purebred dog and one of the following either downloaded from the link or handmade:
The “Happy National Purebred D♥g Day” sign
The “I L♥ve My Purebred Dog” sign
Any official National Purebred Dog Day item available here.
•••• No photoshopping, and that includes the required sign. Be creative with how you use it, but our judges, David Frei, co-host of NBC’s National Dog Show, and veteran Westminster Kennel Club photographer, Jack Grassa, must see what you actually shot with your camera;
•••• Many people may help you take your photo, but the prize goes to the person submitting the winning photograph;
•••• Entering this contest implies consent that your photo may be shared on NPDD’s social media platforms;
•••• A full explanation of how, when, and where to submit your entry can be read here;
•••• Important! You and your dog should have safe fun when composing your entry!
•••• Judges’ decisions are final
Photo by Rangizzz/Deposit Photo
PhotoContest2025