CARE home residents got up close and personal with pet pooches at a 'mini Crufts' event.

Colne House care home, in Station Road, Earls Colne, staged the event for animal loving residents.

Throughout the day, they were visited by dog owners from Earls Colne and beyond, showing off their adorable pet canines.

Each pet was awarded a rosette and sweet treat as well.

Gazette: Adorable - One of the many furry visitors at the care homeAdorable - One of the many furry visitors at the care home (Image: Colne House Residential Care Home)

Gazette: Friends - Two dogs meeting some of the residents at the care homeFriends - Two dogs meeting some of the residents at the care home (Image: Colne House Residential Care Home)

Gazette: Welcoming - some of the residents interacting with a dogWelcoming - some of the residents interacting with a dog (Image: Colne House Residential Care Home)

The event is an annual tradition at the home, which provides residential, dementia and respite care for its elderly residents.

Images show delighted residents with an array of different dog breeds.

Manager Victoria Franklin explained how the event originally started in 2022.

She said: “We started this event due to one of our residents telling fond stories about when she used to attend Crufts with her poodles but was no longer able to go.

“This made us all feel so sad. She felt she would never experience her love for the event again.

Gazette: Awards - the rosettes Awards - the rosettes (Image: Colne House Residential Care Home)

Gazette: Treats - Some of the pupcakes which were gifted to the dogsTreats - Some of the pupcakes which were gifted to the dogs (Image: Colne House Residential Care Home)

Gazette: Cute - Furry friends at the care homeCute - Furry friends at the care home (Image: Colne House Residential Care Home)

“My dedicated staff were adamant they would bring Crufts to her and for the third year running it has proven to be a wonderful event attended by our community.

“Pupcakes were made by our wonderful Jenni Chambers along with special bunting for the day.

“Each pooch received a rosette to say thank you, and residents were overjoyed to see such an amazing variety of pets attend.”

The care home is a converted Georgian mansion with large gardens for the visiting dogs to enjoy.

Gazette: Friendly - a care home resident with a dogFriendly - a care home resident with a dog (Image: Colne House Residential Care Home)

Gazette: Garden - Some of the owners with their dogsGarden - Some of the owners with their dogs (Image: Colne House Residential Care Home)

Dog therapy is popular with residents.

Alongside the ‘mini Crufts’ event, the home puts on other activities for its residents such as trips to Halstead’s Empire Theatre and the seaside.