This story is part of Ensemble’s colour week, presented by Resene‍

‍Woof! The Auckland Rainbow Dog Show, is always one of the chillest and most wholesome days on the rainbow social calendar.

Last Sunday pooches of all breeds and owners from across the community descended on Western Park in Auckland's Ponsonby to show off their own handsome pups and enjoy the camp festivities, but also with more lofty aspirations: to celebrate the unconditional love and emotional support these pets offer to a marginalised part of society who often have less social support than their heterosexual peers.

Offering judgement, as well as support this year were the inimitable judges, who by way introduction shared with contestants what would set them apart from pack.

Tom Sainsbury was hoping for "bribery, cuteness and good looks... from the audience".

Drag Queen Buckwheat would settle for "anything with a pulse, no actually even just anything warm," while Justine Smith was disappointed to tell the crowd that, "unfortunately the man from the SPCA won't be part of the raffle".

Camp icon Suzanne Paul seemed to be taking her responsibilities more seriously. She wanted to see "owner and dogs to be having lots of fun!"

As ever, event organiser Steven Oates was on hand to offer his characteristically pithy commentary as the day unfurled. "The dogs have definitely upped their games, Look Sharp have made a killing," he chimed as the best dressed competitors gathered to the side of the Rainbow runway (not a catwalk, thank you very much).

Later as a heavily costumed pooch was led up the runway, Oates was there again quick with the quip: "Nothing says animal welfare like polar fleece on a summer's day."

Though Ensemble are mostly know as cat people, dog owner Tyson Beckett and photographer Abigail Dell'Avo headed into the park to meet, and pat, all the animals.

Elroy and Lyra

How old is Elroy?

"He's three."

He's a Pomeranian?

"He's a Pom crossed with a German Spitz."

Cute, so fluffy. How did you teach him to jump through the hoop?

"You basically put the hoop on the ground, then you put a treat on the other side and have them walk through and then you place it a bit in the air each time."

Do you think Elroy is an ally?

"Elroy is bi. Proudly bi.

"I say gay, my partner says bi. We're in debate about it but we're going to settle on bi for now."

Artemis and Jonathan

What breed is Artemis?

"He's a Border Collie. But when we bought him, he was $500 cheaper because he didn't look like a regular Border Collie. That's why we like him, he's really unique, he's a special boy."

What categories have you entered?

"Best lookalike, and best trick."

Can I get a sneak peek?

"I've taught him to jump on my back when we take a selfie. I say 'selfie!' and he jumps up and poses."

Graham and Suzy

How old is Suzy?

"She's 11 weeks. She's a Mastiff cross."

Suzy's gonna get big...

"Uh, yep."

Is Suzy your first dog?

"No, she's actually an SPCA foster. I'm fostering her for a couple of months until she's old enough to be adopted out. I've got a Shiba myself."

How did you get into fostering?

"One of my friends did it and she said, 'look they're always after more and they like people to be at home. They foster dogs of all ages, from puppies through to older dogs and ones that have maybe had operations.'"

How old will she be when she ready to find her new home?

"I've only got her for another couple of weeks. She's de-sexed next week and then will probably go to adoption in three weeks time."

[Editor's note: Someone please go and adopt this sweet angel!]

Liezel and Misty

Tell me about Misty.

"She's a two-and-a-half-year-old Maltese Shitzu cross."

Do you dress Misty up a lot?

"Yes, since she was little. I actually started a business when I got her, she's my logo. She comes to this park a lot to play with her friends so she's kind of in her element."

Have you had dogs before, or is Misty your first?

"In South Africa I had five dogs. When we emigrated I had a Yorkie, who sadly passed away.Then the beautiful Misty came into my life."

What categories have you entered today?

"Just best dressed."

Amita and Ginger

What do you think Ginger's best qualities are?

"She is always curious and playful. Always ready to investigate."

And you said she's a Foxy x Staffy?

"Yes a Foxy x Staffy. From the SPCA, So that is a guess, but that's what's on her certificate."

She's two. Do you think this is fully grown?

"I have a feeling this is her fully grown. She's such a good dog. She feels like velvet, she doesn't smell at all and I'm just like, 'I've got me the perfect little puppy.'"

Jenny, Tony and Sophie

How old is Sophie? And what breed?

"She's 10, and a Toy Poodle."

Is she generally well behaved?

"Oh very, very."

Do you dress her up often at home?

"No, preferably she's just got her own coat."

Have you entered her into any categories?

"Yes, best dressed, best trick, and most camp!"

Jess and Z Man

How old is Z-Man?

"He's one."

What breed is he?

"Papillon, Spitz, Foxy."

Cute. Have you entered him into any categories?

"I missed out on online registration and then his outfit would have been really hot. He has a denim jacket and I was going to dress up matching with long white socks with spots on them but with this weather I didn't wan't to put him through that. So I just bought his gay little bonnet."

Is he an ally?

"Yeah I think he's pansexual. I think most dogs are pansexual."

Lilibet and Marisa

Is Lilibet named after the queen?

"She is. She was surrendered on the day the queen died. So she's a rescue pup and I fostered her, but I'm rubbish at fostering it turns out, because she's mine now.

"She was stood on as an eight-week-old pup and the leg was very badly broken, so they ended up having to take her leg. I took her on because my business, Fur Therapy, does canine massage to do her rehab and she stayed."

Do you know much about her breed?

"I'm getting her DNA tested. We're waiting for the results. They said a Ridgeback cross but obviously being a rescue, she could be anything. But she's super super social, she loves children, she loves dogs and she's such a happy dog."

Mitchell and Acrobat

How old is Acrobat?

"She's about 20 months old."

What breed is she?

"She's a Doberman. A dobe Acrobat."

She seems very well trained. Do you do it all yourself?

"Thank you very much. We did do a few courses through NE K9 dog training, I highly recommend them. But apart from that it's just been us continuing on with those teachings."

Am correct in thinking you've entered best lookalike?

"Yes that is correct - we were tempted to enter best trick as well but I think there's a few too many distractions for her. Maybe when she's older and gets a bit more used to it."

Is she your first dog?

"Since I was a teenager, yes."

Finnbar and Pearl

Is Pearl a Dalmatian?

"Yup."

How old is Pearl?

"She's two"

Is she your first dog?

"No, it's our third."

Do you think Pearl's an ally?

"She gives a little bit of fruit energy every now and again. She's had some sapphic tendencies."

Shelley and Basil

Is Basil your first dog?

"Basil is my friend's dog actually. I'm such a good friend. My friend is over there in the wolf hat, with her other dog so someone had to come with Basil.

"I've know him since he was a baby. Even though he arrived under lockdown. She's always had wire haired terriers so this is wire haired terrier [number]... five, maybe?"

How old is he?

"Basil is just two."

Is he well behaved?

"I couldn't possibly say."