Best Laid Plans: an artist's nightmare

I worked very hard on my painting
Hoping it would win first place in the contest.
It took hours of effort: a castle, rainbow and fairies.
My heart went into it and when I was done
I couldn't be prouder of all my efforts.
But somehow, the canvas I was supposed to submit
Became switched with one I gave my dog as a joke—
A muddy, mishmashed disaster of random strewn splatters
With a scattering of paw prints to boot!
"I'm finished!" I cried when they pulled off the cover,
Displaying that mess for all to see.
But imagine my shock when the judge tacked on a blue ribbon
And declared it the pride of the show!
"We admire your advanced modern art skills," he declared
"And one thing to me is quite clear:
You've given incredible effort—our award is fully deserved!"

16 lines, free verse