Meet Willow – a Shih Tzu with a modelling contract and 11.6k Instagram followers.
Willow, from Cleethorpes, is quite possibly northern Lincolnshire’s most famous dog.
As well as 11.6k Instagram fans, Willow has a modelling contract with multiple American pet clothing brands and an affiliate with Vec Prints.
But her fame hasn’t all gone to her head, as owner Heidi Gibbons says “Willow takes it all in her stride and is loved by those who meet her”.
Willow was welcomed into the Gibbons family at seven-weeks-old on New Year’s Eve in 2010.
And it was Heidi who became her primary owner after quickly building an inseparable bond.
Heidi, 22, said: “I first got Willow when she was seven-weeks-old on New Year’s Eve.
“She was a Christmas present from my parents and I quickly built an inseparable bond with my little bundle of fluff.
“She was born on November, 9, 2010 and has been part of our family for nine years.
“Willow has always been a loving, mischievous, and affectionate Shih Tzu who enjoys nothing more than cuddling up on the sofa, playing at the beach and paddling in the sea.
“She, of course, has a big love for food, with her favourite treats being chicken and Yorkshire puddings.”
Willow’s rise to fame came in 2014 when Heidi set up the Instagram account @little.willow.
It gained 3,300 followers in three months, and now has 11,600 fans and counting.
Heidi added: “I’ve always enjoyed capturing her life through photos.
“I’m one of those people whose camera roll is full of photos of their pets, which lead me to start an Instagram account in 2014, when Willow was four-years-old, where I could share photos of my cutie for fun.
“I never expected to gain so many followers but within three months I had 3.5k followers which has continued to grow to 11.6k.
“It is really nice to be part of a community who loves their pets just as much as I love Willow.”
As Willow’s Instagram grew in popularity, Heidi began being contacted by pet modelling agencies.
Willow was soon signed up and currently models for pet clothing brands in America and has an affiliate with Vec Prints, a company which prints customised pet pictures on Etsy.
“From Willow being a puppy, I would regularly dress her up in cute outfits which Willow seemed to like as she’d never resist”, said Heidi.
“I’ve now been contacted by numerous modelling agencies and she now models for pet clothing brands in America and is an affiliate for Vec Prints.
“If I hadn’t set up her Instagram, these opportunities wouldn’t have happened.
“Willow takes it all in her stride and is loved by all who meet her. I’m blessed to have her.”
Animals
For more top stories and breaking news see Grimsby Live.
Follow or contact Grimsby Live
Contact us: Email the reporter who wrote this story .
Follow Grimsby Live on Facebook - Like our Facebook page to get the latest news in your feed and join in the lively discussions in the comments. Click here to like it or message us with a comment or story .
Follow us on Twitter - For breaking news and the latest stories, click here to follow Grimsby Live on Twitter .
Follow us on Instagram - On the Grimsby Live Instagram page we like to feature great pictures from our area - and if you tag us in your posts, we could repost your picture on our page! Click here to follow Grimsby Live on Instagram .
