1ST PLACE: WYLIE

Ann Hudgins and Hugh Hartsfield are relishing the fact that their dog, Wylie, won the Tally Top Pet competition. There once was a time when they were in second place, and it was briefly devastating.

In 2016, Hudgins was attending the Stone Crab Festival Auction when she decided to bid on an adorable springer spaniel she thought would make a great companion to her dachshund, Emma Lou. Her bid came in second place, but in her heart, she knew the dog was meant to be hers.

The winner must have felt the same. The next day they called Hudgins saying they made a mistake, Wylie was hers. With Wylie, she won the jackpot.

For her dog Emma Lou’s final months of life, she gained a best friend in Wylie. Wylie also served as a source of comfort during the difficult time of Emma Lou’s passing. In the nine years since, it has been impossible for Hudgins to think there was a time when Wylie almost wasn’t a member of their family.

Bounding with endless energy yet also a complete cuddle bug, Wylie is the well-balanced mix of what any owner would desire in a dog. His enthusiastic yet gentle nature equates to making friends easily. His social status became apparent as he quickly rocketed to the top of the competition polls.

“I was definitely rallying the Wylie fan club,” says Hudgins. “Family and friends from all over were voting, sharing, and cheering him on. It turned into this fun little community moment and just showed how much love people have for their pets, and maybe especially for Wylie.”

Wylie is happiest in the company of humans, which works out well because Hudgins’ partner, Hugh Hartsfield, works from home and gets to spend every moment with the pup. Besides hanging out with his humans, Wylie’s favorite thing to do is chase a tennis ball—even better if it’s at the beach. While there, he can often be found digging in the sand in search of crabs (a fitting callback to the festival he was adopted at.)

In reflecting on their experience with Tally Top Pet, Hudgins describes it as a heartwarming way to bring people together. “Everyone gets to show off their adorable companions, and it reminds us how much pets add to our lives—joy, comfort, and unconditional love, plus a little bit of chaos but the fun kind.”

Loyal, loving, smart, sensitive, and a dog of the people, Wylie is the ideal icon for the cover and a testament to the power of being man (and woman’s) best friend.

Photos by Dave Barfield

RUNNER UP: CLARK

Clark is a gentle giant. Though he weighs in at a lean 80 pounds (on his hind legs he’s taller than some grown men), he has the mild temperament of a smaller breed.

All legs, he’s a gangly guy who entertains his owner, Robin Dunlap, by sleeping in distorted positions. Those long limbs love to run just as much as they love splaying out on the couch. Dunlap refers to him as her “60-mph couch potato.”

Passionate about promoting the uniqueness of the breed, Dunlap was volunteering to promote Yes on 13, the amendment to end greyhound racing, when she came in contact with Clark’s breeders. When amendment 13 passed, Dunlap’s plan had been to adopt an older greyhound. Knowing Dunlap worked from home, the breeder had other plans and suggested that she adopt a puppy since she would be able to dedicate the time and attention needed to a young dog.

Clark was never on a racetrack, and greyhound racing is no longer legal in Florida, but there are still many that need homes. Dunlap describes the breed as typically friendly to children and other dogs, active in nature, and eager to please those they care about.

Dunlap nominated Clark to serve as a model for the sweet, yet often overlooked, breed. He made it into the competition’s top two, and Dunlap hopes this brings awareness to what wonderful dogs greyhounds are.

GUNTHER

Our only feline friend in this year’s competition, Gunther has a special story as a special-needs cat. In 2023, Fat Cat Books and Feline Advocates of Leon County rescued Gunther and six other adult cats, all of whom were at a high-volume shelter and on the kill list.

While his friends were adopted, Gunther is still seeking a compassionate and patient human who can administer monthly injections for his arthritis. Gunther may radiate grumpy old man energy, but he’s the kind of grumpy old man who is seeking a kind companion to sit beside in his old age.

Being king of the bookstore has certainly gotten him out of his shell as he’s learned that humans can be trusted. Until he finds his forever home, he’s content perched as the resident gargoyle of Fat Cat Books.

GERTIE

For 12 of her 13 years, Gertie has served as a dedicated therapy dog for Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, clocking more than 1,000 volunteer hours. Her favorite part of the role? Snuggling up and reading with kids. This likely stems from being raised alongside owner Lauralee Mitchell’s two sons.

Gentle, patient, sweet, and calm, Gertie is the ideal caregiver. All of these virtues, in turn, make her so very easy to love. But don’t let her gentle demeanor fool you; as a “hunting dog,” she’s been known to catch lizards and ruffle the feathers of birds.

Gertie is a community servant who has made the days of many in need, be it a patient who has just received a difficult diagnosis or a nonverbal student communicating his excitement through a hug.