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VOTE: The Region's Top Dogs Are ...

We asked Patch users in Berlin, Meriden, Southington, Middletown, Rocky Hill, East Hampton, Portland, East Haddam, Haddam, Killingworth, Durham and Middlefield to share their dog photos, and then vote for their favorite. Meet 8 great dogs!

Editor's note, 3:46 p.m., Friday June 15, 2012: We had an error in counting the Berlin votes, and the pug Luke did not win the Berlin Top Dog contest. Luke received 44 votes, and the Siberian husky named Diesel received 45 votes, and those numbers were transposed in our tallying. Luke's photo has been replaced in the gallery with Diesel's and we apologize for the error.

Welcome to Round 2 of Patch's Top Dog Contest!

Between today and June 22, users will cast their vote in the comments section of this article for their favorite of the posted dogs. The winner of this round will receive a $100 gift card to in Berlin.

On June 23, the 4 regional winners will be unveiled, and they will face off to become Connecticut Patch’s Top Dog from June 23-30. The winner will be announced July 1. The winner of that competition will receive a painted portrait of their pet from noted Connecticut artist (and former Patch local editor) Carrie Jacobson.

To vote: Look for the number in the top right corner of the photo and refer to that in the comments.

The winners of the local contests are:

Berlin: Diesel, submitted by Nicole Mazzatto

Meriden: Snugs, submitted by Kristi Smith

Southington: Lucy Lu, submitted by Kim Lank

Middletown: Milly, submitted by Jaimie Stone

Rocky Hill: Rocky, submitted by Erik Gutsfeld

East Hampton-Portland: Wolf, submitted by Lisa Repoli

East Haddam-Haddam: Potter, submitted by Carla Strecker

Killingworth, Durham, Middlefield: Benca, submitted by Sharon Graichen

You can read the complete contest rules here.

Melissa Colean June 21, 2012 at 07:42 pm
DIESEL
Nick Mazzatto June 21, 2012 at 07:50 pm
Diesel!!!! #8
Robert Fontaine June 21, 2012 at 07:59 pm
Dizzy Diesel
Jimmy June 21, 2012 at 08:17 pm
Lucy Lu#4 - too pretty
NMazzatto June 21, 2012 at 08:41 pm
Diesel is one cool pooch!
Kevin W June 21, 2012 at 11:06 pm
Diesel
Mario K June 22, 2012 at 01:50 am
Diesel
Kara D June 22, 2012 at 02:35 am
Diesel #8!
Steph Farmingham June 22, 2012 at 02:39 am
Got to love Huskys in the snow!! Diesel is my vote! Good luck
Jessica Mazzatto June 22, 2012 at 02:42 am
Diesel is the sweetest dog around! Hes my "Top Dog"!!
Chris W June 22, 2012 at 02:43 am
Diesel
Jessica Mazzatto June 22, 2012 at 02:52 am
I vote Diesel #8!!
Diane Esposito June 22, 2012 at 09:48 am
Sweet Lucy Lu #4
Matt Esposito June 22, 2012 at 09:52 am
#4 Lucy Lu
Martine Michaud June 22, 2012 at 11:50 am
Diesel!!!
jeff cyr June 22, 2012 at 11:54 am
Lucy-Lu! She's GORGEOUS & The Cyr Family's Favorite! :)
Robert Quinion June 22, 2012 at 11:55 am
Diesel #8 from Berlin
Jessy Lancaster June 22, 2012 at 11:59 am
Go DIESEL all the way!!!
Kristina Kaminski June 22, 2012 at 12:01 pm
Diesel Diesel Diesel!!! #8
Jeanette Mazzatto June 22, 2012 at 12:03 pm
Diesel is my TOP DOG vote!!
G.S. June 22, 2012 at 12:51 pm
#8 My Diesel....has my vote...........
Erik Gutsfeld June 22, 2012 at 01:13 pm
Even if K-9 Rocky does not get anough votes to move on in the contest he will always be my "Top Dog". Rocky enjoy your retirement, thank you for keeping us safe for the past 8 years and allowing us to go home to our family. The bond a police dog and his handler share is undescribable.
frank Smith June 22, 2012 at 01:17 pm
Sandy
Goose167 June 22, 2012 at 01:37 pm
K-9 Rocky, Happy Retirement. Enjoy lazy days chewing and chasing tennis balls.
Kim Lank June 22, 2012 at 01:41 pm
I want to say that all 8 dogs are wonderful!!!! Congratulations to whoever wins this leg of the competition - I do not believe it will be my Lucy Lu and I thank everyone who voted for my baby girl!!! She is and always will be the Lank Family's Top Dog.
Rocky - we also thank you for your service to keeping your community safe you are a Hero in everyone's book!!!! Diesel - a big Congrats to you I do believe it will be you that will go on in this competition - you kicked some doggy butt!!!! Thanks to The Patch - this was fun!!!
Diane Livieri June 22, 2012 at 02:04 pm
I still say Lucy Lu #4 Although - all dogs are winners and all dog owners are also winners too because of the unconditional love given and received.
NMazzatto June 22, 2012 at 03:49 pm
I vote Diesel as my Top Dog but I agree that all these dog are wonderful and loved by so many! Big thanks to everyone who voted for Diesel! He's one special dog :)
Jimmy June 22, 2012 at 04:17 pm
One last time for my Lucy Lu #4
JJ June 22, 2012 at 04:36 pm
Lucy Lu #4 all the way!!!
Julie O June 22, 2012 at 04:55 pm
Go Diesel!!

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Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
greta stifel June 13, 2013 at 09:38 am
very sad indeed; so who is to blame for not teaching them? it is no wonder that the sat scores inRead More the DRG for Berlin and other townships are what they are....mediocre; at this comes right from the State of CT educational tracking stats a very telling article in Connecticut Magazine as well! the magnet schools are kicking the proverbial scholastic butts of the public school system. for less pay as well....so, the relationship of salary increases to all around better education;...well, all i can say is.....
William Brighenti June 16, 2013 at 04:40 pm
Berlin teachers' median annual salary is nearly $80,000, plus family medical benefits costing overRead More $20,000, plus the ability to retire at 55 years of age with summers off, winter and spring vacations, and virtually ever holiday known to man and woman, and a work day at the high school ending mid afternoon: not bad. Perhaps teachers salaries have little, if any, correlation to quality of education...huh?
Suzanne Helm June 12, 2013 at 02:08 pm
Next meeting to voice your opinion is at 7pm Community Center 6/13 Thursday. Friends of Pistol CreekRead More and the
Suzanne Helm June 12, 2013 at 02:14 pm
Friends of Pistol Creek Facebook page now up and running. Looking forward to your posts andRead More pictures on how you use Pistol Creek and what you have seen or done on the trails. Anything positive to help save this beautiful open space.
William Brighenti June 12, 2013 at 04:49 pm
How about signing my petition? I'd be happy to return the favor.
John Elsworth June 10, 2013 at 01:50 pm
Bill, you are correct on the motor vehicle laws an what should happen to drivers who break it.Read More There is also no law that people should eat food, but if they don't they will die.
John Elsworth June 10, 2013 at 01:57 pm
Bill, pushed wrong button an send comment off before I was finished. My point is everyone has toRead More use common sense in all situations an that includes parents on teaching there children as well as motorists. There will always be motorists who disobey the law an that is why parents must teach there kids about how to be safe an sound an not just say well there are laws on that. Make kids aware that accidents can happen an motorists speed an just be careful.
William Brighenti June 10, 2013 at 02:50 pm
Of course. But drivers need to obey the laws. If they don't, enforce the laws and make them payRead More the consequences of their actions: fines and civil lawsuits and higher insurance rates; loss of license;, prison for hitting a child.
chris choinski June 8, 2013 at 10:59 pm
heres a fun fact for ya, listening to you makes people want the old Berlin back. free ofRead More progressives like you
William Brighenti June 9, 2013 at 11:44 am
Name calling? Progressives? What next? Pinko Commie? I thought obeying the law, driving slow,Read More loving family and children were conservative values?
chris choinski June 9, 2013 at 06:38 pm
ok, first i would like to apologize for going a little nuts, i was a little worked up last night.Read More again, i apologize. but i dont believe i called you any names, i did however refer to the word assume, which you did when you said people like me speed. one speeding ticket in 13 years of driving (when i was younger). and you are correct, loving family and children are values i have, thats why i try to take the responsibility of protecting them, and not leaving their protection up to someone else (speeders in this case). but i guess that liberals/sheep, wouldnt know about that, wanting and thinking that the govt or someone else will be there to protect them. like i said in the other comment section, dont rely on others for your or others safety, rely on yourself.
William Brighenti May 31, 2013 at 08:03 pm
Thank you for speaking out, Gail. Where are our town leaders on this topic? I don't hear themRead More speaking out: do you?
Debra Tubbs May 31, 2013 at 09:24 pm
I live on Patterson Way and it is like there is no speed limit on this road.
William Brighenti June 1, 2013 at 09:06 am
What is the purpose of posted speed limit signs in residential neighborhoods if speeders are allowedRead More to drive recklessly, threatening the lives of children, pets, bicyclists, and others?