WeHo’s Cutest Dog? It Was a Tough Choice, but Penny Came in First

“When people say, ‘West Hollywood has gone to the dogs,’ they mean it!” said City Councilmember Lauren Meister at the opening in January of two off-leash dog parks in West Hollywood Park.

That opening attracted a large number of West Hollywood residents and inspired us to revive the WeHo’s Cutest Dog contest, which was conducted through March 19 with entries accepted on WEHOville.com and our Instagram account. It also was the inspiration for the Spring issue of West Hollywood Magazine, which you can find at newsstands and other locations around town.

Yes. West Hollywood has gone to the dogs, in the most positive way. In a city where the 2010 U.S. Census reports that less than 5% of the population is 18 years of age or younger (and only 2% under five years old) dogs are our children.

Dogs also contribute to the sense of connection with one another that we West Hollywood residents feel. You’re not likely to stop a person on the street at random and introduce yourself. But you are likely squat on the sidewalk and pet his or her pooch, which often leads to a personal connection. If you’re a single person in a densely populated city like West Hollywood, walking your dog is a better way to meet a potential date than spending your time scrolling through online or mobile phone dating sites.

So who are the winners?

Penny. Chewie, Sadie, Diego, Liam.

Our judges tell us the choice wasn’t easy. So many cute dogs!

But Keith Mantia’s Penny takes first place. It was a close contest for the top spot, with Chewie, whose guardian is Joe Bezdicek, coming in second.

Then there is Sam Borelli’s Sadie (Sadie Rookorelli, to be precise). Ryan Hughes’ Diego gave Sadie a run for the money. But that’s no surprise. After all, Diego is a dachshund.

And in fifth place is Melissa Marie’s adorable Liam, a loving dog with only one eye.

And who decided who is WeHo’s cutest dog? We put together a team of three judges whose jobs are testament to their passion about pooches. We asked each of them to choose their top ten. Then we ranked their choices by No. 1 – the winner – to Nos. 2 through 5 according to who got the most votes on the high end of the scale.

The judges were:

–Scott Backman from West Hollywood Animal Hospital, where he is a certified veterinary assistant. Backman was named one of the top three veterinary receptionists in the country by PetPlan, the pet insurance provider. While many know him for his smile at the front desk, he’s known by others as a standup comedian and actor.

–Dr. Oscar Chavez, a licensed, practicing veterinarian who graduated from Royal Veterinary College in London. Chavez is chief medical officer for Just Food for Dogs, known for its pet food made from USCA certified, restaurant-grade meats and vegetables and whole grains, and the leader of its canine nutrition team.

–Dr. Todd Calsyn. Dr. Calsyn runs one of West Hollywood’s oldest veterinary clinics, Laurel Pet Hospital, which his father started in 1971. It’s sort of a family business, with Todd’s brother, J.D. Calsyn, a specialist in internal medicine.

On the pages that follow you’ll see most of the entries. The next contest will be in March 2019, so please remember to enter your pooch in the WeHo’s Cutest Dog roster on WEHOville.com then.