The Canberra Times and National Portrait Gallery judging panel spent the past week scrolling though hundreds of paw-some entries in the 'Me and my Pet' photo competition. Now, we're delighted to announce we have a winner!

From turtles and lizards to stick insects and literally hundreds of dogs (so cute!), this image of Aranda resident Katherine Griffiths and her Bengal kitten Calliope completely won our judges over.

Canberra Times head photographer Karleen Minney said the panel agreed the image's lighting, composition and tones, along with gorgeous kitten Calliope staring down the lens, gave it the edge over other photo entries.

The man behind the photo, Ross Walker, said he was "delighted but in no way expecting it!" when we called to let him know he'd taken out first place in the competition. But Ross said the win was marred by a touch of sadness - Calliope died last month after struggling with a congenital heart condition she'd had since birth.

"It [the photo] was like her last huzzah to the world," Ross said.

An actor by day, Ross said the image was captured in the kitchen of the family home on his Samsung Galaxy and just happened to be taken at "the right time, in the right place, with the right lighting". The picture will be framed and placed on display as a tribute to Calliope.

As part of their prize, Ross and Katherine will share a night at Canberra Crowne Plaza and a meow-vellous merchandise pack from the recent Popular Pet Show exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.

If you're keen to see the full gallery of pet entries, and have your own say on a competition prize, jump onto the Canberra Times Facebook page where you'll find the 'Me and My Pet - People's Choice Award' photo album.

The image with the highest number of 'reactions' at 5pm on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 will land the winner a professional photo shoot with their pet, taken by a Canberra Times photographer.

For full terms and conditions, see the photo competition rules and regulations page on the Canberra Times website.