 Elisabeth
Sikie first met the pit bull mix she would
name "Ra" after a friend of hers
had coaxed the animal away from a group of kids.
"These kids had been told to dump him because
he wouldn't fight," says Sikie. Knowing that
Sikie would consider adopting the dog as a companion
for her other canine, the friend phoned her immediately.
Sikie
took the dog in. At first listless and frightened,
Ra had a breakthrough moment when Sikie introduced
him to his first toy. "He had never played,"
she says. "I threw the ball and his whole face
said, 'This is why I'm on the planet'."
Seven
years later, Ra sleeps on Sikie's pillow, allows
her pet cockatiel to roost on his head, and still
chases balls like a retriever. Those traits, and
the photograph above, have earned Ra the distinction
of being named America's Best Pet Friend. Ra is
the Grand Prize winner in The
Humane Society of the United States' My Best Pet
Friend Photo Contest, presented by the AVID
FriendChip™ pet microchip.
Ra
edged out nine other deserving finalists, including
Connor the ticklish ferret and Aggie the tiara-wearing
dog. The ten finalists were selected by HSUS staffers
from among the top 100 vote-getters in the contest,
which combined a traditional photo contest with
a pet popularity contest. More than 4,300 pets competed
to give their caregivers a chance to win fabulous
prizes, including the Grand Prize, a seven-day,
seven-night cruise for four courtesy of Vantage
Travel.
 Now
Sikie, a Bay Area yoga teacher working toward a
master's degree in philosophy and religion, will
be taking that cruise with her husband, thanks to
the dog she named after the Egyptian sun god because
of the dog's golden coat and black "eyeliner"
markings. Sikie snapped the winning photograph during
one of their frequent walks in the Oakland Hills.
In
her photo contest description of why Ra is her "best
pet friend," Sikie characterized the pit bull
mix as an "ambassador" for his species.
"People come up to me and say, 'What a beautiful
dog. What kind is he?'" says Sikie. When she
explains that Ra is a pit bull mix, some people
are predictably apprehensive. "So I have to
educate them," she says. "Ra is one of
the most gentle creatures I've ever met."
Ra
was named Grand Prize winner by a panel of celebrity
judges: Marty Becker, DVM, author of Chicken Soup
for the Pet Lover's Soul; Ron Burns, artist in residence
for The HSUS; Michelle Carolla, Mrs. DC United States
2004; and Patrick McDonnell, award-winning creator
of the daily comic strip, Mutts.
The
judges were struck by more than just terrific photographs.
"I was touched by how people described their
pets and by how much they mean to them," said
McDonnell. "The contest featured not only heartwarming
images, but also insightful stories that showed
the enduring bonds we create with our companion
animals."
Click
here
to see the Top 10 Finalists in the My Best Pet Friend
Photo Contest.
Geoff Handy, who contributed this article,
serves as Director of eCommunity for The Human Society
of the United States.
[ Comment
on this article ] |
We
were honored to offer water, treats, & love
to Alameda's finest and their wonderful caretakers!
including
Gia, a beautiful two-toned eyed pitbull puppy whose
owner paid $20 to get her from some kids who were
aiming their BB gun at her. She is so happy now.
We also met Junior, the bulldog who wouldn't get
out of the pool provided by Lucky's Lounge. Then
there was Karma, the pedicured poodle with the shiney
manicure, and so many more!
