A woman from Harpenden has been recognised for capturing her dog unwillingly peeking behind a shower curtain.
 

Opal Seabrook, who lives in Salisbury Road, was awarded a special commendation in the portrait category of Kennel Club Dog Photographer of the Year Award.
 

Judges were so impressed by Opal’s photograph of her two-year-old wire haired dachshund, Dexter, peeking from a shower curtain they decided to introduce this award for the first time on top of first, second and third place.
 

Opal,39, said: “ Judges didn’t feel my photograph was best for the title of  Dog portrait that I had entered it in to, however felt they couldn’t not recognise it.
 

“When they called to tell me the news, the lady on the phone sounded pleased and said the judges couldn’t stop laughing when they saw it.
 

“I am chuffed to pieces that my photograph was specially noticed.”
 

Opal works as a hairdresser and glass artist but enjoys taking photographs in her spare time.
 

She said: “I was too late to enter last year, so I took lots of photographs building up to this competition.
 

“Dexter had earlier been out and was all wet and muddy so we decided to give him a shower and that’s when I decided to take the photograph.
 

“He doesn’t like showers very much and always causes a fuss. 
 

“It’s funny because the photograph where he looks the ugliest and wasn’t posing has won an award.
 

“Dexter is a bit of a star in Harpenden and I take him in to work with me everyday where lots of people will come in to stroke him because he is so friendly.
 

“I will find a spot to put the photograph up in a frame.”
 

Opal will receive her award at a ceremony next month, where Dexter is also invited to come along and enjoy the praise.