Calling All Dog Lovers: Join the 3rd Letter Contest to Celebrate Your Pooch

Celebrate Your Beloved Dog: Join the 3rd Letter Contest

The Dog Happiness Executive Committee announces the launch of the 3rd Annual Letter Contest, set to begin on November 21, 2025. This contest invites dog owners to pen heartfelt letters to their beloved pets, imagining what they would say if they could speak. It's a wonderful opportunity to express the love and joy that our canine companions bring into our lives.

About the Contest

Starting from November 21, 2025, until February 22, 2026, dog owners are encouraged to submit letters that explore the imaginative question: "What would you say if you could talk?" Results of the contest will be revealed on a dedicated website in May 2026.

Prizes

The competition offers several exciting awards:
1. Gold Award (1 recipient)
- Prize: A unique illustration of your dog created by renowned children’s book author, Kako Hasegawa, based on a photo you submit. Additionally, the winner will receive a special treat box filled with goodies for their furry friend.

2. Silver Award (1 recipient)
- Prize: A personalized plush toy of your dog and a delightful treat box for your pet.

3. Bronze Award (2 recipients)
- Prize: A special cushion featuring your dog, plus a treat box for enjoyment.

4. Participation Prize (all entrants)
- Every participant will receive a ¥500 shopping coupon valid at POCHI, limited to one per family.

Submission Guidelines

Participants are asked to furnish the following to enter the contest:

- A heartfelt letter, imagining what your dog might say. Letters must be between 400-800 characters.
- Photographs of your dog (multiple images accepted) to use for prize creation.

Eligibility

The contest welcomes submissions from anyone currently owning a dog, or who has previously lived with one. Participants are free to submit multiple works, provided each is original and unpublished.

Contest Rules

- Letters pertaining to deceased pets are acceptable.
- Mods on photographs like filters or stamps should not be applied, nor should any AI-generated content be submitted.
- Participation is limited to one entry per household for the participation prize.

How to Enter

To participate, please complete the entry form available on the official third letter contest site.
The special judge for this year’s contest will be Kako Hasegawa, a celebrated children’s book illustrator and author.

Previous Winning Entries

Curious about past competitions? You can read the award-winning entries from the first and second letter competitions at the following links:

As the 25th anniversary of POCHI approaches, our goal remains the same: to ensure that every dog in Japan finds their version of happiness. Together, we hope the letter contest assists in gathering beautiful stories that embody the significance and love we share with our dogs. By cultivating these narratives, we aim to inspire our readers to appreciate their pets even more.