10 Amazing NJ Pet Stories, Which One Is Your Favorite? [VOTE]

Earlier this month, we launched our Top Dog In NJ contest. We asked you to tell us about your amazing dog for a chance to win prizes.

Well we received many entries, telling us about so many awesome dogs. It was a tough task but our panel of Patch editors has whittled this giant list of adorable, fluffy, lovable pets down to our 10 finalists.

All of these dogs have amazing stories to tell. Meet them here, and vote below.

DEMI from Lakehurst

Demi is a life saver...literally. Demi is a Diabetic Alert Dog to a dancers at Avenue To Broadway studio. The owner of the studio, Courtney Carroll, submitted her nomination to the contest. Courtney tells Patch in her entry:

Demi is part of our dance studio family, not only does she save our dancer on a daily basis she makes our team complete. All of our dancers have learned about the struggles of Type 1 Diabetes thanks to Demi and her amazing handler, Leilani. Demi participates in dance class every day, she comes to competition with us and makes our team unique. Without Demi, Leilani would constantly have to check her blood sugar and not be able to fully enjoy her passion for dance.

CHARLIE from Wyckoff

Charlie is a therapy dog with an amazing story, told best by his owner, Donna Macaluso. She tells Patch in her entry:

While my son, Dylan, was in rehab, due to mental illness and addiction, he thought young Charlie could be a much needed therapy dog to comfort those dealing with struggles. Somehow after Dylan passed away from an accidental overdose, despite my brutal grief, I managed to continue training Charlie. Someone must have been watching over Charlie because he passed his therapy dog test! Now, he’s five, and quite simply spends his days giving love to his family, and making those he visits SMILE. He spends Saturdays at Camp Snowflake, making campers with special needs laugh while he cleans up their snacks on the floor. In summer, he volunteers at Camp Sunshine where he happily walks around the duck pond beside campers in wheelchairs. Also, at Lincoln School in Wyckoff, Charlie spends time with students and reads books with them! In addition, the seniors at the Christian Healthcare Center truly enjoy his company. There’s no doubt that Charlie knows life is short and seizes every day by making others happy. People can learn a lot from selfless dogs, who never discriminate. Certainly, Charlie teaches us to love and help others.

BEAR from New Providence/Berkeley Heights

Bear, now 14, is a rescue dog who was once deemed aggressive. She went from a stray dog on the streets of Brooklyn to living life in New Jersey. A few years after she settled into her forever home, she was the first one to figure out owner Ellen Rosengarten's daughter had diabetes. Ellen tells Patch in her entry:

Our 14-year-old rescue Bear was deemed aggressive. She was going to live in a rescue the rest of her life until we came along. She went from stray on the streets of Brooklyn to living the life in the 'burbs. Three years later, she started following my daughter everywhere! Sleeping at her head whining, always looking for her, nipping at her heels. Come to find out my daughter is Type 1 diabetic. This dog, who was thought to be junk, knew.

SUNSHINE from Long Branch

Meet Sunshine, a true Jersey boy who even eats pork roll. Owner Kathy Buchan tells Patch in her entry:

He is a constant companion to Redbank his 19 year old cat brother...and is a true Jersey Boy who loves pork roll and eggs for breakfast with a side bowl of coffee, a little cream and sugar please. Sunshine is Top Dog in my life, a little bit of mischief, a yearning to run, a lovable companion, by no means perfect, but a Jersey Boy through and through.

JOSIE from Holmdel

Josie is a 2-year old pit bull mix who was rescued from 3 Hearts 4 Paws just a month ago. Owner Deb Wankel tells Patch in her entry:

As it turns out, Josie actually rescued me. You see, I lost my only daughter to a massive heart attack five months ago and started spiraling down a rabbit hole of depression. Losing my sweet daughter after 43 years of having her was unbearable. Josie keeps me out of that rabbit hole by providing unconditional love, loyalty and let’s not forget to mention my couch potato companion. I’m sure there are police dogs, service dogs and show dogs that deserve outstanding awards, but none can compare to a little pit bull mix rescue that rescued me.

WOODY from Millstone Township

Woody, a bassett/coon hound mix, has overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Owner Benita Gomolka tells Patch Woody was found in Georgia after being shot in the eye and left to die. Benita goes on to say in her entry:

"Animal control picked him up and a vet operated on the eye but couldn't save it. None the worse for wear, this has never slowed him down and he still loves people. We adopted him in January and is loving his New Jersey home. "

ROXIE from Long Valley

Roxie is a 2-year-old pit bull mix who was adopted from a rescue in Flemington. She instantly fit in perfectly with Bobby and Dani Miller's family, even helping Dani get through a tough twin pregnancy. Here's more of what the family says of Roxie:

She’s super excited to meet her two twin brothers due this summer! It hasn’t been an easy pregnancy on my wife coupled with anxiety. I work quite a bit to save for when the boys come but I don’t have to worry because Roxie is ALWAYS there for my wife to lay next to her or lick the emotional tears away. I can’t think of a better big sister for our boys to grow up with. We may have rescued her from the streets of Georgia but we both feel like she rescued us.

JACK from Clark

Blue Mountain Lucky Blackjack— or Jack for short— is a 5-year-old English labrador who stole the hearts of the Acosta family from day one. Jack even sensed owner Ariana was pregnant before she herself knew. Owners Ariana and George tell Patch in their entry:

One day, Jack became extra clingy and would lay on the couch next to me, resting his head on my stomach. Two days later, I found out I was pregnant. When we brought home our first child three years ago, Jack became the sweetest and most caring big fur-brother. He is a gentle giant and while his 98 pound build may intimidate some folks, he is absolutely careful around our two young boys. Jack became instantly attached to our kids, mostly, I think, because he enjoys the extra Cheerios he finds around on the floor. He is a big mush who still thinks he’s a lap dog and will never turn down a belly rub! Jack loves high fives — or tens —and is happy to do a trick for a cookie. Well, he’ll actually to anything for a cookie!

SIMBA from Brick

Simba was pulled out of Philadelphia Animal Care and Control in December of 2011 and was next on the list by a foster. He was critically ill, surrendered in the most horrific condition, owner Wendy Lee Mitchell tells Patch. Foster got him back to health, and Wendy rescued him. Here's more of what Wendy says of Simba in her entry:

Simba is protective of us, and shows true loyalty. My mother was passing and he laid by her side till she had left the house to go into a facility. He made pet of the week on News 12 a few years back. He truly is the best friend anyone can have. He is also very close to my father. My father suffers PTSD from Vietnam and he is excellent therapy for him. They are best friends as well. I urge people to rescue, adopt, foster, you will get the best dogs, that are full of life.

FRANK SINATRA of Woodbridge

Frank make those around him calm and peaceful, owner Wayne Girard tells Patch in his entry. Here's more:

What makes Frank great for my family is that he provides a sense of calmness and serenity to our often nervous grandparents, and is great at making sick or injured people smile. Being in an Italian-American household, it helps that he is always there when someone needs to lick up a piece of spaghetti and sauce off the floor.

The grand prize winner will receive a $250 Amazon gift card, plus a feature story on your pet to be shared across the Patch network in New Jersey. Additional prizes have been provided by contest partners Dogs & Cats Rule, Monmouth County SPCA, Camp Bow Wow in Elmwood Park, K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel, and Woodbridge Animal Group Volunteers.

Voting has closed and the winning dog is Simba: