Nice shot.

Give it a chance.. No one can tell you if it will win, place or show. It's a subjective thing.

I would like to see some retouching though. The sprinkler thing near the right foot. And there seems to be some fly away hairs.

I agree though, not seeing the eyes hurts the nature of the shot. But you never know what judges are thinking.

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"When two people agree on everything, one of them is not necessary" - Arliss