FAO ‘Cutest Pet in Fort’ winners receive prizes

By Kim McDarison

Over the last several days, Fort Atkinson Online had the pleasure of meeting our “Cutest Pet in Fort’ contest winners, and they were, of course, even more cute in person. 

With 65 entrants in our contest, our judges had an incredibly hard decision, and we thank them for their efforts. 

FAO met with our first-place winner, “Bentley” and his family last week and delivered his prize package, which included two tickets to see a show at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, a $25 gift certificate supplied by M.E. and My Pets, and several treats and a toy, provided jointly by Fort Atkinson Online and M.E. and My Pets. 

Before we took his photo, Bentley barked with excitement, his way of asking to be pet, his owners, Lora and Olivia Jung said, and enjoyed some of his treats. 

This week, FAO met with our second- and third-place winners, “Guppy,” the calico kitten, and her family, and “Luci,” who was pictured with another of the family’s cats, “Aspen.” 

Both our second- and third-place winners received a bag full of gifts, including two tickets to see a show at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, a $25 gift certificate supplied by M.E. and My Pets, treats and toys, provided jointly by Fort Atkinson Online and M.E. and My Pets. 

Guppy, who recently underwent surgery to be spayed, owner Courtney Kreger said, was in good spirits as she sat in a chair with Kreger. With full intensity displayed in her big, green eyes, she took immediate interest in a toy from her gift bag. 

At the home of Lindsey Gaertig, owner of Aspen and Luci, Luci was quick to explore the bag of goodies. Though Aspen remained somewhat aloof, Luci posed for photos and enjoyed the limelight. 

Fort Atkinson Online would like to thank all of our participants in the Cutest Pet in Fort contest, including our judges:  

• M.E. and My Pets pet supply store, with locations in Fort Atkinson and Whitewater, staff,

• Jeff Okazaki, director of the Humane Society of Jefferson County,

• Holly Houston, former director of both the Dane County Humane Society and the Elmbrook Humane Society, retired,

• Mabel Schumacher, treasurer of the Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson, and 

• Shannon Lyon’s Fort Atkinson High School Vet Science class. 

Additionally, we would like to thank the organizations who helped us provide prizes, including the UW-Whitewater College of Arts and Communication and M.E. and My Pets, with locations in Fort Atkinson and Whitewater. 

Each of our runners-up also received a “Buy one, get one free,” card good for up to five items, provided by M.E. and My Pets. 

Finally, we would like to thank the community members and their pets for participating in our contest. They were all adorable. 

The full album of participants can be found here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/cutest-pet-in-fort-contest-photo-album/. 

Lora Jung, at right, and her daughter, Olivia, 12, introduce Fort Atkinson Online photographer Kim McDarison to “Bentley,” the first-place winner of FAO’s Cutest Pet in Fort contest.  

Courtney Kreger amuses “Guppy,” the second-place winner of FAO’s Cutest Pet in Fort contest, with a toy from her prize bag. 

“Luci,” of the cuddling kittens team of “Aspen” and Luci (Luci is on the right in the original entry photo), shares her beautiful face as she cuddles with her owner Lindsey Gaertig. The feline pair was chosen as third-place winners in FAO’s Cutest Pet in Fort contest. 

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