Losing a pet is a profound grief that often catches us off guard. You find yourself reaching for a bowl before you remember, or hearing a familiar sound at the door that isn't there anymore...
Amy, the founder of the Sydney-based studio The Soft Hours, understands this feeling intimately. Following the loss of her beloved Golden Retriever, Daisy, Amy turned to needle-felting as a way to "hold" her grief.
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| Amy's craft began as a tribute to her own Golden Retriever, Daisy, capturing the joyful expression that memories are made of. |
Today, she helps others do the same through her single guiding belief: that the love we have for our animals deserves to be truly, tangibly held.
Every piece from The Soft Hours is a labour of love, taking 6 to 10 weeks to hand-sculpt from merino wool. Working from your photos, Amy captures the exact tilt of an ear or the specific softness around the eyes that made your pet unique.
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| Every custom portrait begins with your favourite photos to ensure every unique marking and expression is captured in wool. |
In the lead-up to Mother's Day, we are thrilled to partner with The Soft Hours to offer our readers the chance to win a custom tribute to their best friend.
The Prize Pool
First Prize: A Custom Wool Felt Portrait (Head & Top option) handcrafted from your photos. (RRP $409)
Runner Up: A LumiPet holographic 3D keepsake. (RRP $79)
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| Customised LumiPet sanctuaries: The runner-up prize offers a glowing, 3D holographic tribute tailored to your pet's unique story |
About the Artist
Based in Sydney, The Soft Hours exists in the space between grief and gratitude—the "soft hours" after loss when you simply want something real to hold onto. Each portrait is sculpted using hand-dyed merino wool and wire, resulting in an uncanny 3D miniature that serves as a museum-quality heirloom.
For those navigating pet loss, or those simply wanting to celebrate a current companion, these portraits offer a level of tenderness that digital photos simply cannot match.
How to Enter
To be in the running to win The Soft Hours Custom Wool Pet Portrait prize pack, please complete the following steps:
1. Follow our channels and like our giveaway post (published 03/05/2026) on our Facebook page and/or Instagram account.
2. Follow The Soft Hours @softhours.au on Instagram.
3. The entry question: Tell us which specific feature of your pet you would most want Amy to capture in a custom wool portrait (e.g., a soulful gaze, a quirky ear tilt, or a specific coat texture) and why?
Entries should be submitted via our official Facebook or Instagram page.
Terms & Conditions
- Dates: The competition will open Sunday 3 May 2026 (6:00pm, AEST) and will close Monday 11 May 2026 (11:59pm, AEST).
- Eligibility: Open to Australian residents (18+) only.
- To enter: Like our post (03/05/26), follow the specified accounts, and answer the prompt above via the Australian Dog Lover Facebook or Instagram page.
- Judging: This is a game of skill. Entries will be judged by the Australian Dog Lover team based on the most creative, informative, or heartfelt statement.
- Limits: Entrants may enter once.
- Delivery: Please allow 8–10 weeks for the handcrafted production and delivery of the First Prize, as each portrait is custom-made.
- Claiming: Prizes not claimed within 48 hours will be redrawn.
- Privacy: The winner must be willing to share contact details and high-quality reference photos of their pet with The Soft Hours to facilitate the custom portrait creation.
*Entry into the competition is deemed acceptance of all terms and conditions.
