There's no getting away from it: elections are depressing. Thankfully, the dog-owning voters of Britain are on-hand to make it a bit more fun. Alexandra Fraser and Toby Keel round up the best of them.
Nobody is quite sure where or when the whole ‘dogs at polling stations’ phenomenon started, but on a gloomy December day we’re very glad of it to inject a bit of sunshine.
Two-year-old Nero looks like he’s suffering a similar level of existential crisis to the rest of us.
Turtle, cousin to our property editor Annunciata Elwes, hasn’t brought his polling card but defies you to turn him away at the door (remember, you don’t need your polling card to vote!).
Parsley, Country Life’s resident pug and cousin to Turtle, looks entirely dashing as he steps up to cast his vote into the mix.
We’re so glad that Imogen Taylor’s wonderful Cookie cheered up some people in the queues this morning!
Travel Editor Rosie Paterson’s dog Cleo looks like she knows who he’s voting for.
16-year-old Cleo, pictured with Travel Editor Rosie Paterson’s mum, actually made it into the polling station itself – we can only imagine in some sort of handbag.
Rosie Stimson, beloved lab of local councillor Donna Stimson (and Social Media / Deputy Digital Editor Ally Fraser) is very concerned about biodiversity in Berkshire and wants new places to play – although that doesn’t stop her from jumping in at the same spot on the Thames every single day. In mid-winter.
Basil, beloved by Annabel Mackie, is eyeing up the weather as suspiciously as he ought to, given the gale coming our way.
Dolly, owned by Country Life’s deputy features editor Victoria Marston, votes bright and early on Thursday.
Rich, below, and our deputy features editor Victoria Marston (whose dog Dolly is pictured above) showed how it’s done with early-morning snaps.
When your morning walk turns into your democratic right ?#dogsatpollingstations @BBCNews pic.twitter.com/MX6YbxkhFm
— Rich (@lav_rich) December 12, 2019
There’s something noble about Rich’s pooch – he definitely knows how important his vote is.
Standing proud, Rox has got a decent Instagram following of her own, but luckily her Mum decided to share this one of her voting today.
No guesses who Eddie (dog of Octavia Pollock, Senior Sub-Editor at Country Life) voted for!
Grabbed 10 mins when the rain stopped to take Gallery dogs Frida & Diego (Rivera not Maradona) for a quick walk & to vote in Arundel & South Downs. May the best woman win!!!!#dogsatpollingstations @Countrylifemag pic.twitter.com/lw9By6RdYS
— ZimmerStewartGallery (@zimmerstewart) December 12, 2019
A quick dash out in the rain for Frida and Diego in the South Downs!
Taking The Mickey x pic.twitter.com/0vxfOknuMn
— Hilke fisher (@Hillymouse) December 12, 2019
Mickey, a very handsome boy, clearly wants to get a move on to exercise his democratic right.
Jerry, the lovely greyhound of Rachael Turner, is decidedly less than thrilled at his position in this photo – we’ve been assured that he’s currently inside once more and warm!
For this year, turnout has been predicted to be low due to a combination of cold weather and election fatigue. Nobody told the dogs of Dulwich that, as they turned up en masse.
Thrilled to report an exceptional (and very good) turn out at Dulwich Village Polling #dogsatpollingstations pic.twitter.com/gaBtYOfB71
— Kate Turner (@Kate_Turnr) December 12, 2019
Love the look on that little guy at the bottom — he looks like he’s been up all night fretting on the Corbyn v Johnson conundrum.
Speaking of election fatigue, though, not everyone seems to be delighted about another poll taking place:
A dog urinates against a polling station sign as voters in Hartlepool head to the polls during polling day for the 2019 general election on December 12, 2019 in Hartlepool.
Others are full of enthusiasm:
Watson’s first Election Day. He was up all night thinking of the pawfect #dogsatpollingstations pose ? #nailedit pic.twitter.com/QOJRvUDUdH
— beckib (@beckibunn) December 12, 2019
Always nice to see a first-timer. He’ll come to look forward to what was once an every-five-years thing but which is now probably going to be an annual ritual. Especially if the last few polls of Wednesday are to be believed.
Speaking of what might happen in the election itself, tactical voting may play a part — and the dogs are helping spread that message too.
Get out to the pollen station today & bee tactical #dogsatpollingstations pic.twitter.com/fjnyiwee5G
— David McGrath (@DaveMcgrath1) December 12, 2019
Some of the dogs and their owners clearly had more serious things on their minds than which fancy dress to wear:
This is Mac. Mac was a racing greyhound until last year, and he wasn’t treated very well. But now he lives with humans who love him very much.
Mac didn’t vote for more treatos for himself. Mac voted for more treatos for dogs that aren’t as lucky as he is.#dogsatpollingstations pic.twitter.com/7Zmf1wFP2s
— Richard Gaywood (@PenLlawen) December 12, 2019
Those who don’t have dogs tried to find other ways to get involved:
POEM
there are dogs
at polling stations,
sitting outside,waiting
for their democratic right
to exercise#dogsatpollingstations— Brian Bilston (@brian_bilston) December 12, 2019
And finally, the #dogsatpollingstations movement — if that’s the right word — is now so popular that other animals are trying to get in on the act:
Polls are now open! Use your vote (for @LibDems) before 10pm tonight
?You don’t need your polling card to vote
?You can take a postal vote to a polling station
Sadly no #dogsatpollingstations from me, but my family wanted Carrot the Guinea Pig to be involved… #GE2019 pic.twitter.com/RW8vo0Hyw1
— Ed Davey ? (@EdwardJDavey) December 12, 2019
#dogsatpollingstations – well a fox actually — that queue though! ??? Battersea is out in force ? pic.twitter.com/fo1Be5Gmo4
— Dr Oonagh Murphy (@OonaghTweets) December 12, 2019
That’s right — a sly fox.
Finally, here’s dear Bentley, John Malone’s dog. John voted by postal vote but Bentley made his opinions known by throwing up outside the polling station this morning. Oh dear.
