“I wanted to create a scene that was essentially impossible, where dogs and cats sit together and all of them are paying attention. The dogs are a Golden Retriever, a Lapland and a North American Shepherd – who happens to be my very own dog, Sasha. “This image also gave me an opportunity to fit many of the things I love into one image: dogs, cats, still-life subjects – like onions, pears, lemons, apples, bowls, cups, saucers and the antique table – and a play on words! After all, the pets are so intent on posing and smiling that they seem oblivious of the mice behind them . . . and what is happening to the real cheese!”