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Sophie Sue charms judge

by jmaloni
Thu, Dec 15th 2011 09:45 pm

Kathy Otto of Wheatfield has won the Tri State Weimaraner Rescue 2011 Photo Contest with a shot of her Weimaraner Sophie Sue.

The photo, titled " Peek" was taken in the Town of Lewiston in a cornfield on Upper Mountain Road behind her parents' home.

The photo contest is an annual event to raise money for the Weimaraner rescue organization. Several hundred photo entries were made. The famous Weimaraner photographer William Wegman was the judge of the contest.

"To have him see a photo of my Weim was such an honor but the fact that he actually chose my shot as the first place winner in the candid category is amazing," Otto said.

Sophie Sue is 5 years old and owned by Otto and her ex-husband John Yensan of Grand Island. This is the third time Sophie Sue has won the contest for Otto. In 2007, her photo was selected for grand prize, and in 2008 she was selected for third prize.

"My dog is the world to me. I love her; she's just like my child," Otto said.

Otto said Weimaraners are German hunting dogs, known for close tracking. They stay near their masters and tend to get separation anxiety if they aren't, so they aren't dogs that can be left home alone for extended periods of time.

Anyone considering a Weimaraner as a pet has to have time for training the dog and taking care of its needs. "They have to run a couple miles every single day," said Otto, who likes to take Sophie Sue out in the woods or for runs along the gorge.

Otto said she enjoys photography and took classes in high school and college, but doesn't take photos professionally. She is an outreach coordinator for Fichte, Endl & Elmer Eyecare.

Check out the other winning entries at www.tristateweimrescue.org.

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