Taftville dog is No. 1

Norwich – Georgia Pecan Pie is the city’s No. 1 dog for the coming year.

The 9-year-old Australian cattle dog-German shorthaired pointer mix won the city clerk’s annual drawing to determine who will wear the No. 1 dog tag for the year.

Owner Richard Pellinen of Taftville said he has owned Georgia Pecan Pie for about 7 years. The dog had been abandoned and was rescued by a family in Sterling. Penninen was doing work at the home and “she just adopted me.” The Sterling family had named her Georgia, and Pellinen added the Pecan Pie because it seemed to fit.

“She’s a great dog,” he said. “She does all the tricks. She loves to ride with me in the Jeep. I take her for long trips with me. We go fishing and stuff.”

The city clerk’s office staff donated treats and toys for a large gift basket, and Mayor Peter Nystrom will pay the top dog’s $8 license fee. Assistant City Clerk Roseanne Muscalella made the basket.

The No. 2 dog is a golden retriever named Duncan, owned by Gwynne Griffin, and the No. 3 is Zeke, a Shih Tzu owned by Elaine Ross. They also will receive gift bags of treats and toys.