Fourth grader's dog Bella named Top Dog
Annual contest kicks off dog licensing season
As her beloved dog, Bella, stays close, and Medina County Auditor Mike Kovack looks on, Cheyenne Booth reads her winning essay at the Top Dog Awards event Nov. 29. Photos by DAVID WAGAR
The top five winners of the 23rd annual Top Dog essay contest with the certificates given them by Medina County Auditor Mike Kovack, left. They are Evan Lilly, third place, Cheyenne Booth, first place, Brendan Ridge, fourth place, Jayna Wise, fifth place, and Rachel Coleman, second place.
MEDINA – A Ralph E. Waite Elementary School fourth grader from Medina was the winner of an essay that propelled her dog, Bella, into first place in the Top Dog contest for 2018.
Cheyenne Booth’s essay was chosen from 400 that were submitted. She was recognized Nov. 29 with four other essay winners at the 23rd annual contest that kicks off the 2018 dog licensing season. It is hosted by Medina County Auditor Mike Kovack and is open to all fourth graders in Medina County.
The winners
Cheyenne, the daughter of Andria Booth of Medina, said she fell in love with Bella the first time she entered the Booth home as a foster child five years ago (Cheyenne has since been adopted).
“The first thing I saw was Bella and I immediately fell in love with the small dog.” She said Bella is still the first thing she sees when she comes home, “I get to relive the day I first met her.”
“Bella is my beautiful butterfly dog.” Cheyenne wrote. “She is a wonderful dog and I really love her.”
In addition to receiving dog tag No. 1 for Bella, Cheyenne received a deluxe party from Amazone Entertainment Center. In addition, Cheyenne and the other four winners each received a 30-pound bag of Bil-Jac dog food, and prizes from Kitten Crazy/Quick Fix and Medina Skateland. The four runners-up also received dog tag numbers 2 through five for their dogs.
Rachel Coleman, the second place winner, who attends H.G. Blake Elementary School in Medina, said her dog Tommy, was rescued from a foreclosed home in West Virginia by a shelter.
“He was so skinny, we could see his bones.” Tommy was soon sent to a shelter in Wooster, “My parents saw him on line and we all wanted him,.” Rachel said. “Now he is part of the Coleman family. Rachel said he should Top Dog because he is “my hero and a survivor.”
Evan Lilly, who placed third, said his dog, Brooke, “is funny, cute and loyal because she saved my life because I was drowning and she jumped in and swam next to me and I grabbed on to her.” Evan attends Franklin Elementary School in Wadsworth.
The fourth place winner, Brendan Ridge, who attends St. Francis Xavier School in Medina, said his dog, Tyson, who came from an animal shelter, “is loving caring and kind. He is always happy, loves to play fetch and other games and meet other dogs.”
The fifth place winner, Jayna Wise, who attends Cloverleaf Elementary School, said her dog, Gizmo, a 12-pound German pug, is one-year-old, learned to sit and lay down at three months and now plays fetch.
“When he wants a treat he stands up on his hind legs and walks backwards for a few seconds.” Jayna said “Gizmo was brought into her life to help her smile again after losing her brother, Colton, in November, 2014.
The essays may be read in their entirety at www.medinacountyauditor.org.
Kovack said, “Not only is it state law to purchase a license for your dog, it is your insurance that will possibly help it find its way home, if it gets lost.”
Licenses can be purchased without a penalty until Jan. 31, 2018 for $10 for a one-year tag, $30 for a three-year tag, or $100 for a permanent tag, with all proceeds going to the Medina County Animal Shelter. Licenses are available online, at satellite stations throughout the county or at the auditor’s office at the county administration building, 144 N. Broadway, Room 301, Medina.
Cheyenne Booth’s essay was chosen from 400 that were submitted. She was recognized Nov. 29 with four other essay winners at the 23rd annual contest that kicks off the 2018 dog licensing season. It is hosted by Medina County Auditor Mike Kovack and is open to all fourth graders in Medina County.
The winners
Cheyenne, the daughter of Andria Booth of Medina, said she fell in love with Bella the first time she entered the Booth home as a foster child five years ago (Cheyenne has since been adopted).
“The first thing I saw was Bella and I immediately fell in love with the small dog.” She said Bella is still the first thing she sees when she comes home, “I get to relive the day I first met her.”
“Bella is my beautiful butterfly dog.” Cheyenne wrote. “She is a wonderful dog and I really love her.”
In addition to receiving dog tag No. 1 for Bella, Cheyenne received a deluxe party from Amazone Entertainment Center. In addition, Cheyenne and the other four winners each received a 30-pound bag of Bil-Jac dog food, and prizes from Kitten Crazy/Quick Fix and Medina Skateland. The four runners-up also received dog tag numbers 2 through five for their dogs.
Rachel Coleman, the second place winner, who attends H.G. Blake Elementary School in Medina, said her dog Tommy, was rescued from a foreclosed home in West Virginia by a shelter.
“He was so skinny, we could see his bones.” Tommy was soon sent to a shelter in Wooster, “My parents saw him on line and we all wanted him,.” Rachel said. “Now he is part of the Coleman family. Rachel said he should Top Dog because he is “my hero and a survivor.”
Evan Lilly, who placed third, said his dog, Brooke, “is funny, cute and loyal because she saved my life because I was drowning and she jumped in and swam next to me and I grabbed on to her.” Evan attends Franklin Elementary School in Wadsworth.
The fourth place winner, Brendan Ridge, who attends St. Francis Xavier School in Medina, said his dog, Tyson, who came from an animal shelter, “is loving caring and kind. He is always happy, loves to play fetch and other games and meet other dogs.”
The fifth place winner, Jayna Wise, who attends Cloverleaf Elementary School, said her dog, Gizmo, a 12-pound German pug, is one-year-old, learned to sit and lay down at three months and now plays fetch.
“When he wants a treat he stands up on his hind legs and walks backwards for a few seconds.” Jayna said “Gizmo was brought into her life to help her smile again after losing her brother, Colton, in November, 2014.
The essays may be read in their entirety at www.medinacountyauditor.org.
Kovack said, “Not only is it state law to purchase a license for your dog, it is your insurance that will possibly help it find its way home, if it gets lost.”
Licenses can be purchased without a penalty until Jan. 31, 2018 for $10 for a one-year tag, $30 for a three-year tag, or $100 for a permanent tag, with all proceeds going to the Medina County Animal Shelter. Licenses are available online, at satellite stations throughout the county or at the auditor’s office at the county administration building, 144 N. Broadway, Room 301, Medina.
