Take the lead and send us in your favourite pet photograph

We at the Observer have been flooded with entries since our 2018 Pet Idol competition was launched amid much fanfare earlier this week.

More than 80 pet owners from across the Stirling area have already taken the time to submit a picture of their beloved animals for entry.

We printed our first batch of pet pictures in Wednesday’s edition – with Schorkie’s and Shih Tzu’s among those featured.

So enjoy today’s pictures, and remember if you’d like to submit a picture of your pet to the competition we need to know their name, age, what breed they are and where they are from.

Whether your pet is a cat, dog, gerbil, budgie, goat, horse, rat, rabbit or something even more exotic, we want to hear from you.

A shortlist of ten finalists will eventually be drawn up and the winner will be decided by a public vote.

The pet to win the crown will win a soon-to-be-announced prize and join a hall of fame of previous winners.

Submit your photographs to the Observer at our office at 34 Upper Craigs, Stirling, email them to news@ stirlingobserver.co.uk or upload them to our Facebook page.

We will feature the photographs in both the Wednesday and Friday papers.

Usual Media Scotland competition terms and conditions apply.

There will be plenty more pictures to follow.

Bubba, a one-year-old Chow Chow from Cowie, lives at home with owner Jacqueline Stewart Party time Red, a Cocker Spaniel from Sauchie, is feeling festive. She has been with her family for one year. Picture sent in by Laura Black

Eyes on the prize Blue, a four-year-old Staffie from Fallin, lives with owner Kathleen Connelly Reserved Jack Russell Terrier, Jack, aged three, is settled in his favourite spot. He lives with his humans Kevin and Donna in Coalsnaughton

Strike a pose Two-year-old Cocker Spaniel Olly lives in Plean with Diane Binnie