Back in December, we asked you to submit photos of your four-legged friends to our inaugural online Pet Centerfold Contest (the term “centerfold” loosely used). Sixty-two of you entered, and 1,211 votes later, we have the winners: nine captivating canines and one fabulous feline. Each is special, but the staff picked one—the slothful, affectionate, flatulence-prone Sir Franklin Edward—to be Westchester Magazine’s ultimate winner and, you guessed it, top dog.
Sir Franklin Edward
English Bulldog
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Owner Diana Federico of Bronxville on Sir Franklin Edward: Worst habit: Licks everything! Can be gross to some people. Also his silent but deadly farts. His farts can catch you off guard! Thinks he is a…sloth. He is slow moving and is always sleeping! Sir Franklin hates…waking up in the morning to go out for a walk. He is so lazy! If Sir Franklin were a famous person, who would he be? He would either be a bodybuilder because of his wide back, e.g., Arnold Schwarzenegger, or an old man due to his wrinkly face, e.g., Walter Matthau Favorite toy: Frisbee! He goes crazy for his Frisbee. He is out of breath every time he plays with it! How many outfits does he have? Just one sweater made by his grandma. What do you spend annually on Sir Franklin Edward? Between vets, toys, food, and treats: $3,000.
Genie
American Shorthair
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Photo by Chris Ware |
Owner Patricia Pasquale of Eastchester on Genie: Best trick: I hold a mouse toy against the wall and Genie crouches and jumps—five feet in the air! Worst habit: She cries when she doesn’t get what she wants. Thinks she is a…dog. She wants to play fetch—even though she hasn’t mastered bringing the ball back. She hates…the front buzzer. When someone visits, she heads under the bed. If she was a famous person, who’d she be? Lucille Ball—very funny and full of slapstick humor. What does she watch on TV? Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. She turns her back when I watch Jersey Shore!
Romeo
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
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Owner Erica Stanzione of Cortlandt Manor on Romeo: Best trick: Giving kisses—he doesn’t know anything else. Worst Habit: Snoring Romeo hates…hiccups. He runs and hides if he hears one.
Phouka Punx
Boxer
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Photo by Chris Ware |
Owner Morgaana Menzel of White Plains on Phouka: Best trick: Plays patty-cake. Worst habit: Stealing water bottles. Thinks he is a…bunny rabbit because he hippity-hops all of the time and he was born on Easter. If he were a famous person, who would he be? Falstaff [Shakespeare character]. What does Phouka watch on TV? Glee. How many outfits does Phouka have? Five snow jackets.
CJ
Shiba Inu
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Photo by Chris Ware |
Owner Christina Rae of Yorktown Heights on CJ: CJ thinks he is a…kangaroo as he’s a great jumper If he were a famous person, who would he be? Houdini. He’s gotten out of metal crates; he broke three teeth doing it. His favorite toy: Tennis balls What is the most money you’ve ever spent on him? New cap teeth were $2,500. We could have pulled them for a lot less.
Kuzya
Miniature Longhaired Dachshund
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Photo by Chris Ware |
Owner Vasken Demirjian of White Plains on Kuzya: Best trick: Begs on his hind legs. He can stand on his hind legs for like twenty minutes. Worst habit: Begs for food at the table. Thinks he is a…prince. He hates…to see us pack our suitcases. He hates to be left behind. If he were a famous person, who would he be? He’s a Johnny Depp look-alike. The look’s cool. How many outfits does Kuzya have? Ten. Cashmere sweaters, Sherlock Holmes cape, ski sweater, and hat. What is the most money you’ve ever spent on him? $2,000 for a Louis Vuitton Sac Chien pet carrier What do you spend annually on him? $12,000 for first-class travel, grooming, food, clothing, vet bills.
Daisy
Yellow Lab
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Photo by Chris Ware |
Owner Mary Jo Franze of Larchmont on Daisy: Best trick: She plays dead. Thinks she is a…human. If I’m sad, she is sad; if I’m anxious, she is anxious. She hates…the vacuum cleaner. If she were a famous person, who would she be? Some comedian or Johnny Depp. She is humble and doesn’t know how good-looking she is. What is the most money you’ve ever spent on her? A full day of grooming with the works for $300 How much do you spend annually on her? $4,000.
Oscar
Yorkshire Terrier
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Photo by Chris Ware |
Owner Jennifer Polito of Yonkers on Oscar: Best trick: Only knows how to sit. So sad. Thinks he is a…bigger dog than he is. He hates…baths. How many outfits does he have? Three outfits—all sweaters.
Rocky
Shih Tzu
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Photo by Chris Ware |
Owner Carol Aloia of Eastchester on Rocky: Worst habit: Barks at people who sit on his loveseat. Thinks he is a…human. He thinks the whole world is here to entertain him. If Rocky were a famous person, who would he be? Bill Clinton, because he’s charismatic and loves women. Does he watch TV? No. But he is a Jets fan. How many outfits does he have? Eight— sweaters, shirts, Halloween costumes, and Christmas apparel. What do you spend annually on him? $2,500, and that’s probably conservative.
Charlie
Beagle
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Photo by Chris Ware |
Owner Scott Shuryn of Yonkers on Charlie: Best trick: Walking on his hind legs. Worst habit: So many. He eats small articles of clothing. Thinks he is a…puppy. High-energy level. If he were a famous person, who would he be? Dennis the Menace. One word to describe his personality: Dopey. What does he watch on TV? Pit Bulls and Parolees.
