Top Dogs Rathdrum Girl’s Lab-Shepherd Mix A Runner-Up In Contest
He’s a movie lover, an earthquake survivor, a pet therapist - a quintessential Californian. And now Bob, a 98-pound shaggy sheep dog, is officially the Great American Dog.
Bob and owner Sheri Rowland of Los Angeles won the title Thursday at the National Press Club in the final round of a competition involving more than 2,000 entries from around the country.
Runners-up included Alexis Minter, a 10th-grader from Rathdrum.
Minter’s dog, Morgan, floats on a raft with her in the summertime and makes great snow angels with his tail in the winter.
The Labrador retriever and shepherd mix, has an extensive vocabulary, Alexis said.
“If he learns to spell, I’m in trouble.”
This was no contest judging good looks or performance of tricks.
Each contestant submitted a 150-word essay beginning with the phrase, “My dog and I are best friends every day because …” In Rowland’s case, the answer was personal fulfillment.
“I’ve become a better person since Bob, in fact, I’m sure I’ve become a better person because of him,” she said.
Other finalists were:
Robert Pierce from Florida, whose golden retriever named Rummy has helped him recover from heart problems.
Reldon Bray, from Garfield, Ark., whose dog Britches is a hard worker on his farm.
Jaron Presant from San Marino, Calif., whose dog Sidney helps him pack up his parachute after sky-diving.
Purina Dog Chow sponsors the annual contest.
Bob and Rowland received $10,000 and a lifetime supply of Purina Dog Chow.
xxxx THE CONTEST Each contestant submitted a 150-word essay beginning with the phrase, “My dog and I are best friends every day because …”