Thousands of passionate pet owners entered their dogs to win the title of New Jersey’s Top Dog and have their picture shown on a Jersey lottery ticket. Over 5,000 dogs were entered in this contest, and in the end, 18 ended up being chosen as top dogs including a local favorite from Wanaque, NJ named Cash.
The general public voted for their favorite dog, and once it got down to 50, it was up to the New Jersey Lottery to pick the winners. Dogs were selected winners based on a points system. The dogs could earn 35 points for charm and New Jersey spirit, 40 points for adorable features, and 25 points for breed diversity.
The local dog, Cash from Wanaque, New Jersey, earned the spotlight on his very own lottery ticket which is currently available to purchase for $5. Cash’s owner is Taylor Agostino, a former Lakeland student and icon from the Lakeland Morning Show.
Cash is a 7-year-old golden retriever who stole the hearts of many members of the Wanaque community. He is very friendly, energetic, and eager to swim and go on hikes. Cash is known for always being happy. When people walk in the room, he picks up a pillow, runs around with a smile, and wags his tail. He is one of the most loving and comforting dogs you will ever meet.
When asked about Cash’s best qualities Agostino shared, “I’ve always known how much love he has to give. He has this way of making people smile, comforting them, and bringing people together without even trying.”
There was a press conference for all winning dogs on Wednesday, April 29th. This event was very high energy and gave all the winning dogs their time in the spotlight. Cash attended this press conference with his proud owner.
Agostino stated, “The press conference was such a rewarding experience. There was so much work, effort, and heart from so many people behind the scenes to make this whole thing happen.”
Cash truly does have a whole community behind him. If you have ever been to Flips Bar & Grill, you have probably seen or heard of Cash. He has become a mascot, a greeter, and a friend to all patrons at Flips. The Flips family made a huge difference in Cash winning this contest, as customers voted for him everyday. This says a lot not just about Cash, but about the supportive people he has around him.
At the conference Agostino stated, “Cash is king, and Cash is New Jersey!” This perfectly sums up Cash, and how much he impacts everyone he meets.
Cash’s journey shows how dogs can bring an entire community together. His win isn’t just about a contest or getting to see his face on a ticket. It’s about the friendships he creates and the joy he brings to everyone. He truly is a unique and one-of-a kind dog, and Wanaque is lucky to call him our Top Dog.
