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

Earlier this month, we launched our Top Dog In Philly contest. We asked you to tell us about your amazing dog for a chance to win a prize package at Holiday House Pet Resort valued at $1,800.

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.

DIOJI from Ambler

Dioji is not only cute and fluffy, but he is a literal life-saver. Owner Tamanna Contractor Ratnaparkhi tells Patch in her entry:

The reason we think Dioji should be top dog is because he saved my mother in laws life! A couple years ago she was walking him on a cold winter morning around their neighborhood. It was a cold day with a lot of ice on sidewalks and unfortunately she slipped and fell! There was no one around to help her. Dioji started barking and ran back to their house barking loudly all the time. My father-in-law heard him and came outside to see why he was barking so much. He was surprised to see him alone and my mother-in-law no where in sight! Dioji led him over to her and sure enough she was laying on the ground, with a bleeding head.They rushed her to the ER and the doctors said she was brought in right on time — any delays would have cause a massive bleed and she could have been disabled for life!

CHICAGO from Philadelphia

Chicago worked for more than six years as a pharmaceutical research dog before he became a family pet. Owner Drew Aldinger tells Patch in his entry:

The day we adopted him was the first time he had ever been outdoors. Over the last year and a half he has acclimated to become a part of our family. While he loved cuddling with his young human siblings from day one, it took him months to adjust to everyday life including walking on a leash or on grass, feeling the wind and even drinking water from a bowl. The number tattoo on his ear is a reminder of his past, but it does not define him. He is now enjoying retirement sleeping in his cozy bed, and he loves to snuggle, play with toys, run on the beach, do tricks, and lounge outside in the sun. He is truly an amazing, resilient dog and a wonderful addition to our family and is now surrounded by love.

AXL from Levittown

Axl is a rescue dog from Puerto Rico. Owner Jennifer Baroli tells Patch in her entry:

He makes us smile and laugh every single day, is always excited to see us, and loves to kiss and cuddle with pretty much everyone he has ever met. What more can you ask for? Whenever we see the stories about Puerto Rico we think about how hard it would have been for him to survive there. We are so thankful for him and the joy he has brought to our lives.

SAMANTHA from Hatfield

Samantha is a 13-year-old mini Australian Shephard and a certified therapy dog. Owner Robert Dettery tells Patch in his entry:

For 13 years she has provided me and my family with love and companionship. But perhaps the greatest thing about Samantha is that for over 11 years she was a certified therapy dog with Comfort Caring Canines. In that role, she has visited numerous nursing homes, assisted living facilities, schools, and courtrooms where she brought joy and relief from pain and anxiety to hundreds of people in need. Samantha is retired from therapy work now but I am sure that the happiness that she gave to people lives on with those who met her.

CHAD from Springfield

Chad, a registered therapy dog, began his life being sold on a street corner for drugs. But today he is changing lives. Owner Christine Dampman from Springfield tells Patch in her entry:

After his rescue it became apparent to his family that he had a special talent for helping others by providing compassion, comfort and love to those who needed him most. In his four short years of being a therapy dog Chad, has happily provided emotional support to ill children in hospitals, the elderly, domestic violence victims, those in recovery for addiction, and many others and he asks for nothing in return. Chad has also helped traumatized dogs, helping them stabilize their emotions by providing calm and gentle leadership. Because of Chad’s inspiration to us we have managed to help so many animals by providing much needed food to shelters, raising money for surgeries, and help in finding homeless pets wonderful forever homes.

PAX from Newtown

Pax is a trained autism service dog who helps owner Karen Roseburg's son keep calm in areas that are big, noisy, crowded or unfamiliar. Because of Pax, Karen's son can now go to places like the Phillies game or the movies. Here's more of what Karen told us about Pax:

Pax also visits New Hope-Solebury High School once a week and brings affection to all of the students in my Art Class. He is beloved by students and teachers alike. He has a school photo, goes to the prom, pep rallies, and visits students with autism throughout the district. He was even asked to “speak” to the staff at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on how to accommodate guests with autism.

BUMBLE from West Chester

Bumble is a 10-year-old white Schnauzer who lived for the first four years of his life in Ocean City, N.J. with his owner's cousin, Pauline. Owner Kathleen Maguire tells Patch in her entry:

Pauline was my Mom’s cousin who encountered numerous medical conditions overtime. She was finally convinced to move to an assisted living facility in Kennett Square. Since the move was difficult, my Mom and I decided that even though we never had a dog, we would gladly accept him as our own. He brought much joy to my family as well as to the assisted living facility family! He was the life of the party at their functions. Shortly after this move, he was attacked by a pitbull while visiting his Ocean City home for a long weekend. He had a long recovery but continued to bring his original mom much love as she battled cancer. Bumble and Pauline relished Pauline’s last few days in December of 2018.

QUINN from Furlong

Quinn was fighting for her life after being found in a dumpster alone in North Carolina. Owner Lauren Pileggi tells Patch in her entry:

As I prepared my search for my next best friend, I didn’t realize what I was getting myself into – I have now lost friends, my social life, a clean house, and have even missed important events because yes, I want to stay at home with my dog. And no, I’m not mad about it. Quinn was fighting for her life after being found in a dumpster alone in North Carolina. Once healthy, she was then listed online and caught my eye right away. After a brief hiatus from searching for my new addition, I checked the page and she was still listed (meant to be right?). I finally inquired and...my empty house got a lot homier October 14, 2017. She has exceeded what I ever thought a best friend could be. She has taught me a new way of life and what love and gratitude is all about.

EMMY from Philadelphia

Emmy is a rescue and who has stayed by her owner's side as she battles a chronic illness. Owner Alexandra Logg tells Patch in her entry:

Emmy has stayed by my side every step of the way during treatment, which includes lots of time sleeping. (Good thing we both love naps!) I would not have been able to survive this without her. She is comforting and always following me or cuddled up against me. She would love to have someone work with her to conquer her fears of humans and loud noises, and with all of her emotional support during this hard time, she is certainly the top dog in my life. I truly believe she could lead a better quality of life if we had help from a trainer.

HALO from Doylestown

Halo, a German shorthair pointer, came to owner Susan Birks eight months after she underwent surgery for cancer. Susan tells Patch in her entry:

She showered me with constant love and, as you can see here, made a habit of wrapping herself around my shoulders as she napped in order to stay close and be protective. She started this habit the day she arrived at nine weeks and continued until she got too big, which was last November. She gave me the attention and love I needed to pull through. She saved me from depression and got me moving again. She saved my life. I love her and believe she was sent from heaven...hence her name...Halo.

The grand prize winner will receive an Ultimate Training Basket from Holiday House Pet Resort in Doylestown. The prize, valued at $1,800, includes a 10-day "Lodge & Learn" Training Package, plus a separate four-night stay with the Ultra Dog Activity Package and a premium bath. Click here to learn more about the grand prize.

The runner-up will receive a $25 gift card to Dogs & Cats Rule pet store (locations in Doylestown, Newtown, Maple Glen, Pennington, N.J. and Princeton, N.J.) plus some goodies, like a leash and toys, from Valley Veterinary Hospital in Phoenixville.

Voting has closed and the winning dog is Chad: