By Haley Mitchell Godwin

The winner of the first pet of the season contest is Copper, the seven-year-old hound mix that belongs to Sayge Snell of Highland Home. 

Cooper took home a personalized prize package from Crenshaw Animal Clinic valued at $250.00. The prize included a wellness exam, routine vaccines, a heartworm test, screening for other parasites, and a six-month supply of Sentinel- a liver-flavored chew that protects dogs from fleas, heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms. 

Affectionately known as Cop by his owner,  this quarter’s winner was rescued from an animal shelter when he was only eight weeks old. The ASPCA estimates that around 3.1 million dogs enter animal shelters every year. Of that number, approximately only 2 million will end up being adopted.

Copper was one of the lucky ones, having caught the eye of Sayge Snell when she was visiting the Montgomery Humane Society. Snell decided to give the pound pup a new life in a forever home.

Now, at the ripe old age of 7, Copper is a beloved member of the family according to the Snells. 

“Copper quickly became my best friend and one of the best dogs to ever be in our family. He is excellent with my young nephews. Copper is pretty simple; he is a loving dog that loves to be lazy,” Snell said. “He goes to my granny’s house every day during the week for a play date with her dog, and we pick him up in the afternoons after work. He usually walks with my mom in the afternoon and he loves riding our jeep in the summer.”

An interesting tidbit about Copper: If he needs to go out or wants something, Copper does not bark or whine. Copper grunts when he needs someone’s attention. 

“Pet of the Week”  and the quarterly feature, “Pet of the Season” are sponsored by Crenshaw Animal Clinic and Dr. Gammage of Luverne- (334) 335-5309. Crenshaw Animal Clinic is a full-service small animal clinic that provides comprehensive healthcare for your pet. They offer a full range of services to help keep pets happy and healthy- including vaccine administration, routine preventive care, wellness exams, dental care, allergy care, flea/tick/heartworm control, parasite control, routine surgical procedures, microchipping, early detection and treatment of a wide range of conditions and diseases with in-clinic diagnostics, ophthalmology, spay and neuter, and more. 

During the quarterly “Pet of the Season” contest, animals featured in “Pet of the Week” will go head to head and the animal with the most votes will win a personalized prize package from Crenshaw Animal Clinic valued at $150. At the end of the year, all quarterly winners will compete for “Crenshaw County Pet of the Year” and the grand prize. 

Go online to submit your furry (or scaly, slimy, or feathery) friend by visiting https://www.luvernejournal.com/pet-of-the-week.

If participants have submitted a nomination for a pet, and the pet hasn’t been featured, don’t fret! We have rolled all entries over into the next contest.