Contest Winners

Dog: Ozborne, Basset Hound
Owner: Alison Bennett, Cashier
When Alison Bennett, a Cashier with Harris Teeter since 2003, was asked where she found Ozborne, she replied "Ozborne found us! He walked up our street and sat right in front of our house. He kind of adopted us." Ozborne, a Basset Hound, has been with Alison since 1997. "He has a habit of making us look silly," says Alison. "He will howl when we do, unless we have company. Whenever someone is over we will howl away and he will just sit there silent. I think he must be laughing inside." The Bennett family depends on Ozborne for lots of fun and good times. "We are so lucky Ozborne picked us to be his family," says Alison.
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Dog: Nick, Golden Retriever
Owner: Alex Mrozinski, Fresh Foods Manager
A 1997 Christmas gift turned out to be a best friend for Alex. Nick, a healthy beautiful Golden Retriever has made life more special for the Mrozinski family. "He loves to hide under the covers and play hide and go seek," says Alex. "I depend on Nick for companionship; he truly is a best friend." Alex’s job as a Fresh Food Manager at Harris Teeter keeps him busy, but making time in his daily schedule to be with Nick is important to him. "He means the world to me," says Nick.
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Dog: Duchess, Dachshund
Owner: John W. McDaniel, Customer Service Clerk
John’s long-time friend, Candy, his Cocker Spaniel of many years, had recently passed away. "I wanted to get a new dog to continue the same loving relationship that Candy and my family shared." That’s when John found Duchess, a Miniature Dachshund. Since 2002, Duchess has been a treasured member of the McDaniel’s family. John, a Customer Service Clerk with Harris Teeter since 1998, says, "Duchess is such a great dog; she loves to dance and shake. She thinks she is a big dog and tries her best to act like one, but at just 10 lbs., she usually has to settle for chasing squirrels around the back yard." John depends on Duchess for lots of love and good times. "Duchess makes us happy every day!" says John.
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Dog: Spot the Dog, Dalmatian
Owner: Cyril Spence, Dairy Clerk
While at work, Cyril Spence, a dairy clerk at Harris Teeter, spotted a poster that caught his eye. The poster was asking for someone to adopt a female dog who had just had two puppies. The puppies had been easy to find homes for, but Spot The Dog, a 3 year old Dalmatian, was having a tougher time. Cyril was thrilled at the chance to have a Dalmatian. And to him this dog was a perfect fit. Spot The Dog has been a great friend and companion to Cyril ever since. "She is a great guard dog," says Cyril. "She has a big bark, but she is actually a softie at heart." Cyril depends on Spot the Dog for fun and companionship. "She is my best buddy," says Cyril.
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Dog: Kevitt, Terrier Mix
adopted from local animal shelter
Owner: Ronald V. Long, Sr., Lift Driver at the Harris Teeter Warehouse in Greensboro, NC
"All my son wanted for Christmas was a dog," says Ronald Long, a lift driver at the Harris Teeter Warehouse in Greensboro, NC. "After several trips to the animal shelter, Ronald and his wife spotted "the one," a cute, full-of-personality little Terrier mix. "We adopted him immediately!" said Ronald. "My wife and I knew our son Ronald Jr. would love him." The puppy was at the shelter with his mother. They were both found on Kevitt Drive, so they named the puppy Kevitt. At the time, he was only four months old and very afraid. After some expert care from a veterinarian and lots of love from the Long family, today Kevitt is a very healthy and loving dog. "He is a show off," says Ronald. "He loves to walk across the floor on his hind legs to get attention." The Long family depends on Kevitt for lots of love, fun and friendship.
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Dog: Baillie, Shetland Sheepdog
Owner: Mark Andrews, Loader,
Frozen Warehouse in Greensboro
When Baillie, a Shetland Sheepdog, entered the Andrews household in 1999, it was more like gaining another child than a dog. Mark, who works as a loader in Harris Teeter’s Frozen Warehouse in Greensboro, NC, says, "My kids think of Baillie as a little brother. It is so enriching to see them running and playing in the yard." One funny memory the Andrews have is when they gave their 12-year-old daughter permission to trim Baillie’s paws. " She got a little carried away and did an over all cut. It was hard for people to tell exactly what kind of dog he was for a while." "We depend on Baillie for companionship; he truly is a loved member of our family." "Baillie makes our lives very, very special."
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Dog: Shadow, Siberian Husky
Owner: Pam Prior, Executive Secretary at Harris Teeter corporate offices.
Since Shadow, a Siberian Husky, was given to Pam in 2000 from a co-worker at Harris Teeter, waking up in the mornings just hasn’t been the same. "Shadow wakes us up every morning by snuggling under the pillows," says Pam Prior, an executive secretary at Harris Teeter corporate offices. "Shadow is a fun, energetic dog. It’s hard not to be happy when we are spending time with her; she definitely lifts the spirits of anyone she is around. She is so funny and loves to give high fives." "Shadow is our best friend and companion; we depend on her to add a lot of fun to our lives."
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Dog: Jo-Jo, English Bull Dog
Owner: Linda A. Bolin, Assistant Seafood Manager
Linda purchased Jo-Jo in 1998 for a special reason. "My husband, Billy, has a very serious illness and one of his lifelong dreams was to own an English Bull Dog." Linda Bolin, an Assistant Seafood Manager with Harris Teeter since 1994, says Jo-Jo stays at her husband’s side 100% of the time. "She is a blessing," says Linda. Jo-Jo loves the attention too. When she stands on her hind legs, you know it’s time to rub her tummy. "We depend on Jo-Jo for a lot, she truly is our best friend and companion."
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Dog: Pepper, Yorkshire Terrier
Owner: Mary Wilson, Back-Up Scanning & Receiving Coordinator
In 1994, Mary Wilson’s dad bought her the best birthday present of her life, Pepper, a fun, lovable frisky Yorkshire Terrier. "She is so much fun to play with. She is little but she will catch a frisbee right out of the air," says Mary. "She loves to beg." Pepper doesn’t have to beg at all for the Wilson family’s love and affection. Mary, a back-up scanning and receiving coordinator, says that Pepper has added so much enjoyment to her life that she depends on her fun-loving attitude to brighten her day. "I can’t imagine my life without Pepper," says Mary.
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Dog: Jethrene, Pomeranian
Owner: Bobbie Warren
"She likes to eat, and I mean everything," says Bobbie Warren of her Pomeranian. "Even as a puppy she always had her head in her food bowl. She will eat everything from cold grits to bananas." Bobbie’s daughter named her Jethrene, after Jethro Bodine, the food-loving character on The Beverly Hillbillies TV show. Jethrene has been a member of the Warren family since 2001. "Jethrene is a very affectionate dog," says Bobbie, "She even understands some phrases like, ‘Do you want to go outside, or ‘Come and get a treat!’ " Bobbie and her family depend on Jethrene for fun and companionship. "Jethrene is a very important and loved member of our family," says Bobbie.
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Dog: Willie, Western Irish Setter
Owner: Daniel Rice, Loader in Harris Teeter’s Warehouse in Greensboro, N.C
Titles like American Kennel Club Champion in 1999 and Best in Specialty Show of Breed at the 2000 Western Irish Setter Club show in Chicago, Illinois are pretty impressive, but the most impressive thing about Daniel Rice’s Champion Irish Setter, Willie, is what a great friend and
companion he is to the Rice family. Daniel, who works as a loader in Harris Teeter’s Warehouse in Greensboro, N.C. says, "My fiancee is an Irish Setter breeder and gave Willie to me in 1996. He is a champion, with or without titles. He loves to be loved." The Rice family depends on Willie to enrich their lives; The most telling title Willie has won so far has been Canine Good Citizen. "He has such a big heart," says Daniel.
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Dog: Roosevelt, West Highland White Terrier
Owner: Stephanie Picard, Co-Manager
Stephanie Picard’s boyfriend didn’t want a pet. "I had to talk him into getting a dog." Stephanie says, "but now, we both obsess over Roosevelt." A Westie, Roosevelt has been a part of Stephanie’s life since she got him in 2000. "He is just so entertaining, he keeps us laughing all the time." When Stephanie, a co-manager for Harris Teeter since 1997, was asked to recall her funniest moment with Roosevelt, she replied "They’re all funny! "Stephanie depends on Roosevelt to keep her laughing and to add joy to her life.
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Dog: Zoe, Jack Russell Terrier
Owner: Raven Helms, Customer Service Manager
Raven Helms, an assistant Customer Service Manager with Harris Teeter since 1997, found a bundle of fun and love she named Zoe. Zoe, a Jack Russell Terrier, was a stray puppy with the good fortune of being adopted by Raven in 2003. "She is full of energy," says Raven. "She and my cat, Sasha, quickly became best friends. They tag team the trash can; it is so funny to watch. Sasha can open the door to the can and Zoe pulls out the good stuff for them to eat. They know the fun is over when they see me coming!" Zoe loves to fetch and keeps Raven on the go! Raven depends on Zoe for lots of love, fun and friendship. "Zoe adds more to my life than she will ever know," says Raven.
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Dog: Rustin, Dachshund
Owner: James Redies, Produce Manager
James Redies, an assistant Produce Manager with Harris Teeter since 1998, found his best buddy in the classifieds. James adopted Rustin, a Dachshund, in 2000. "Rustin loves to go camping. He had a blast in Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine," says James. "One of the funniest moments with Rustin was when he got a feel of the cold Atlantic Ocean in Maine. By the look on his face, it was a good thing he couldn’t talk." James depends on Rustin for fun and friendship. "Rustin definitely has made my life a lot more fun. He is a great pet," says James.
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Dog: Shadow, Yellow Labrador Retriever
Owner: Valerie Tolbert, Cashier
When Valerie Tolbert, a cashier with Harris Teeter, started looking for a dog, she wanted one that she could travel with to compete in AKC Field Trials. When she purchased Shadow, a Yellow Lab, from a professional trainer, Valerie got all she had hoped for, and more. "Shadow has been an avid traveler; he has been in 23 states," says Valerie. "Since Shadow has been my pet, he and I have traveled together and he has competed in the Amateur Stakes." Valerie adds, "He has given me a truer appreciation of what dogs can do." The Tolberts depend on Shadow for companionship and fun. "Shadow has made me a better dog handler," says Valerie.
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Dog: Mickie, Australian Shepherd
Owner: Mark Hilton, Vice President of Produce and Floral
Life just hasn’t been the same since Mark Hilton, Vice President of Produce and Floral at Harris Teeter, adopted Mickie, an Australian Shepherd. Mickie was a show dog before she became part of the Hilton family. "She won awards and was a hard worker, but unfortunately did not receive a lot of love," says Mark. Mark and his wife, Stephanie, have changed that. "She is a herder by nature and needs to be around people who give her lots of love and appreciation," says Mark. "Mickie is a fun dog to be around and she brightens up our lives." The Hiltons depend on Mickie for fun and companionship. "We look forward to coming home to Mickie everyday," says Mark.
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Dog: Titan, Old English Mastiff
Owner: Adam Welsher, Bagger
"A big dog needs a huge amount of love," says Adam Welsher, a bagger with Harris Teeter since 1998. His dog, Titan, an Old English Mastiff, is about as big as a dog can get. At 220 pounds, Titan usually gets his way, and his way is always gentle and loving. "Sometimes having him around is just like having another person in the house," says Adam. "If we accidentally leave the television on when we leave the living room, Titan backs his rear end into the recliner and watches whatever is on." Titan is so loving he has been known to throw his paw around a shoulder, a real sign of affection. The Welshers depend on Titan for lots of love and fun. "The biggest part of Titan is his heart," says Adam.
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Dog: Sula, Doberman Pincher and Blue Tick Hound Mix
Owner: Doudou Jagne, Produce Clerk
When Doudou Jagne’s girlfriend, Sandi, was approached about adopting a dog that was in desperate need of a caring owner, she jumped at the chance. Since then Sandi and Doudou, a produce clerk with Harris Teeter since 2003, have found Sula, a Doberman and Blue Tick Hound mix, to be an absolute joy to have in their home. "She is an amazing dog," says Doudou. "Once on a hiking trip in the mountains, a friend was stung by a bee. Fearing a serious allergic reaction, the friend took off running toward Sandi’s car to get medicine. Sandi knew her friend, far ahead of everyone else, would arrive to a locked car. She gave the key to Sula, and Sula arrived at the car moments before Sandi’s friend, who unlocked the car and was able to avoid a potentially life-threatening situation." Doudou and Sandi depend on Sula for love and companionship. "We are glad we were there for Sula when she needed a good home," says Doudou.
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Dog: Bear, Scottish Terrier
Owner: Denise Jones, Co-Manager
It usually doesn’t take much for a bear to catch people’s attention, especially when it barks and likes to take walks in the park. Denise Jones, a co-manager with Harris Teeter since 1990, says Bear, her Scottie, just loves attention. "When we take a walk through the park, he has to stop everyone we pass and get a scratch on the head," says Denise. Denise depends on Bear for fun and companionship. "Life would not be as fun without him," says Denise.
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