Contact: John Long, communications manager

Phone: (336) 983-9222, ext. 318
E-mail: john@petsit.com
Web site: www.petsit.com


Pet Sitters International Announces Winner of 2007 Take Your Dog To Work Day Poster Dog Contest

 

King, NC, May 11, 2007 -- Tongues and tails are wagging about Abby, the winner of the 2007 Take Your Dog To Work Day® Poster Dog Contest sponsored by PEDIGREE® JUMBONE®. Abby competed against nearly 100 other deserving and dedicated canines nationwide to win this year's contest. She will serve as the official representative of adopted dogs everywhere for the June 22 event.

 

For the past nine years, this annual event created by Pet Sitters International has showcased the importance of dogs in the workplace as well as encouraged adoptions from animal shelters, humane societies and rescue groups.

 

Top Dog

Judges for the 2007 Take Your Dog To Work Day Poster Dog Contest had a tough decision crowning this year's winner. Judging was based on three criteria: adoption status, personality, and past participation in the Take Your Dog To Work Day event. In the final hour, it came down to a close race between Abby, a loving and well-tempered four-year-old German shepherd, and Molly, a well-mannered, three-year-old golden retriever.

 

Although both dogs embody the spirit of Take Your Dog To Work Day and are testaments to adopted dogs everywhere, Abby was chosen paws down as the winner of the 2007 Poster Dog Contest. Her efforts have raised community awareness about the rewards of pet adoption and the sad realities of pet overpopulation. Her contributions are commendable and exactly what is needed in a poster dog.

 

"We love all dogs, and in our eyes, Abby and Molly are both winners in their own rights. But in the end, there could be only one Poster Dog Winner," said Rob Leibowitz, vice president of marketing, Mars Petcare U.S., maker of PEDIGREE® JUMBONE®. "We felt that Abby was a better fit with the mantra of Take Your Dog To Work Day and we were very impressed by her positive and prominent standing in her community."

 

As this year's winner, Abby will receive a one-year supply of PEDIGREE® JUMBONE® Snack Food for Dogs. An animal shelter or rescue located in Abby's hometown also will win a year's supply of PEDIGREE® JUMBONE®. 

 

A Dog's Life

After "ruffing" it in local shelters for some time, both dogs found their forever homes. Abby was adopted from the Fairfax County Animal Control Shelter in Fairfax, Virginia by the Crawford family, who enjoys her gentle and loving disposition. They also enjoy her enthusiasm for participating in re-enactments and living history displays. And she helps her owners recruit new shelter dog adopters - as well as works events with owner Brian Crawford. It's because of her people-loving nature that she makes an ideal "poster dog" for shelter dogs across the nation. 

 

Molly was a little more selective when choosing a home suited to her liking - but it was well worth the wait. After living with a household of three kids and one on the way, Molly needed more attention to foster good behavior, so she had a short stay at the Buddy Dog Humane Society in Massachusetts. Soon, her new owners whisked Molly away to their happy home where she broke bad habits and became a well-mannered pet.

 

For more information about this year's Take Your Dog To Work Day on Friday, June 22, visit www.petsit.com.

 

About Pet Sitters International

Established in 1994, Pet Sitters International is the world's largest educational association for professional pet sitters, representing more than 7,600 independent professional pet-sitting businesses in the United States, Canada and abroad. Our membership consists of trusted pet professionals serving an average of 121 clients and performing an estimated 7.6 million pet-sitting engagements per year.

 

PEDIGREE® and JUMBONE® are Trademarks of Mars, Incorporated 2007
Take Your Dog To Work Day® is a trademark of Pet Sitters International Inc.


 

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