Posted: May 29, 2009, 5 a.m. EDT
A dog from Columbus, Ohio, named Norman beat out almost 40,000 others in a quest for the 2009 Most Valuable Pet (MVP) grand prize winner of the second annual online photo contest conducted by vacuum company Bissell.
Norman, a 2-year-old Golden Retriever, will be featured on the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Vacuum packaging. Runners-up prizes were awarded to Border Collie mix, Kiely; Australian Shepherd, Baloo; Bailey, an English Shepherd; and feline finalist, Gabby, a domestic long-haired cat.
In addition to gaining canine celebrity status, Norman also wins the $10,000 grand prize to be donated to the pet cause of his owner’s choice. An additional $8,000 benefits the causes of the runners up.
Tara Driscoll, Norman’s owner, plans to use the grand prize money toward the cost of a seizure-alert dog to assist two special-needs children in her community. Norman serves as a breeding dog for a local service dog program – 4 Paws For Ability – which raises his puppies to help people with various disabilities.