They say every dog has its day and that was definitely the case for Medlar the Springer spaniel who won the top prize in the Oban Gaelic Choir Christmas raffle.
The lucky puppy has been feasting on juicy knuckle bones from Jacksons the local butchers to celebrate winning £100 in cash.
Her owner, Derek Wilson of Kilmore, south of Oban, said he and partner Sheila like to support local causes and when they buy raffle tickets they always get some for their two dogs, Medlar and her mother Mardi.
The raffle was drawn at the choir’s fundraiser in Oban Rugby Club. The owners of the two-year-old dog were not there, having bought the tickets in the pub the week before.
Mr Wilson said: “It was quite funny because the raffle ticket just said ‘Medlar’ with a phone number on it. No-one there knew who she was and the next morning we got a phone call asking to speak to Medlar.
“I said, ‘you can’t really speak to Medlar,’.
“I think she feels like a lucky dog, she gets spoiled rotten.”
Mr Wilson’s dogs are well known around Oban and the islands. He runs a small haulage firm and takes them wherever he goes – making them a familiar sight in Mull, Islay and Tiree.
Oban Gaelic Choir members are busy fundraising after being invited to take part in a festival in Verona next July.
The raffle raised £1,800 towards the trip and had many prizes donated by local businesses and choir members.
Choir president Riona MacCormick said: “Members have paid quite a lot of it themselves but this will help with costs.
“It was quite funny when the dog won the cash prize, that will keep it in biscuits and bones for a wee while.”
It has been a successful year for Oban Gaelic Choir, after they won the coveted Lovat and Tullibardine Shield on home turf at the Royal National Mod.