April 24, 2007

A black female labrador retriever named Finley is the winner of  the 2007 Harris Teeter/Purina® Top Dog Photo Contest. More than 4,500 votes were cast online in the contest. Finley captured 55 percent of the votes in competition with two other finalists, Colby and Bella.

Finley, the Top Dog, is the pet of Tom and Meredith Gaddy of Charlotte. They say Finley loves to "inspect" ponds in the Ballantyne area, splashing through the water. She has been known to catch fish but prefers to play in the mud and spend time chasing ducks around the ponds. They say she thrives on new adventures!

The Harris teeter/Purina® Top Dog Photo Contest is a preliminary event to the 2007 Harris-Teeter/Purina® Bark in the Park dog festival Saturday, April 28, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at William R. Davie Park, 4635 Pineville-Matthews Road, NC Highway 51. This festival is a signature event of the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department.

The public voted for the Top Dog April 6 - 18 at the parks departrment's Web site www.parkandrec.com . The three finalist photos were chosen from a list of 61 entries. The panel of judges made their choices on the basis of cleverness and originality. The owners of the Top Dog will receive a photo portrait of the dog, donated by Deborah Triplett Studios, a year's supply of "Yourpet" brand dog food, and a Harris Teeter/Purina® prize pack. Finley and her owners also won the right to serve as grand marshals of the Pooch Parade at Bark in the Park. All finalists will receive pooch passes to Mecklenburg County dog parks and other honors.

Thousands of dogs "and the people they own" are expected to attend 2007 Harris Teeter/Purina® Bark in the Park. Admission is free. More than 6,000 people came last year, most with dogs. This festival features jumping, diving, and fetching feats by the Ultimate Air Dogs presented by Purina. Join the Pooch Parade and contests such as: Most Unique Dog, Best Bark, Biggest/Smallest Dog, Best Dog Trick, and Best Pet/Owner Look Alike. Many exhibits, dog products, adoptable dogs, prizes. All dogs on leashes, please.

For details and to sign-up for festival events, click here or call 704 643-5725.