'Pooch Playoffs' a winner
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 3 weeks, 6 days AGO
Pooch Playoffs winner Loki and Emma Heinbaugh pose for a photo at Companions Animal Center.
Photo courtesy Dawn Best
Best Life Photography recently announce that Pooch Playoffs 2026 raised about $1,600 for Companions Animal Center.
This year’s Ulti-Mutt Cutie was Loki and pet parent was Emma Hinebaugh. Loki also advanced to the International Pooch Playoffs Vote-Off held Sunday, April 5, where she placed in the Top 10.
“Photographing these incredible dogs and seeing the community rally with a huge passion for supporting Companions together was heartwarming," said Dawn Best of Best Life Photography.
The event brought together pet lovers, local businesses, and passionate supporters to make a meaningful impact for animals in need. Voting took place from March 20 through March 28.
"Pooch Playoffs 2026 reflects the power of community collaboration, local business support, and a shared love for animals," a press release said.
All “Final 4” pups were rescued from CAC.
Loki — Pet Parent: Emma Hinebaugh — Ulti-Mutt Cutie of Kootenai County
Marnie — Pet Parent: Darcy Gross — Runner Up
Toby — Pet Parent: Matt Freeman
Hoss — Pet Parent: Laurie Morton
"At Best Life Photography, I believe pets are family and being able to create these portraits while providing a service dog’s worth of support to Companions Animal Center is exactly why I love what I do,” Best said.
Best Life Photography is a Coeur d'Alene-based boutique photography business focused on creating meaningful, storytelling-driven portraits and supporting the local community through heartfelt projects and events.