After a rapid-fire week of voting, the public has determined that the USA TODAY 10Best "stressed pet" who most looks like a vacation is needed is Ruby, an adopted one-year-old hound mix living in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Ruby loves the beach.
Following at #2: Shima, whose owner is opening a Venice surf shop named for her; Riley, a beagle mix from Doral, Florida, who destresses with a stuffed companion; Murray, a Great Pyrenees who looks great in shades; and the adorable Wrigley Wayne Mathew, who hams it up on social media.
Deborah Norville and Inside Edition revealed the winners on air, after promoting the contest to their viewers and followers for a week.
Inside Edition: Video of Winners
The full list of winners in our 'Best Stressed Pets' category for this USA TODAY 10Best Readers. Choice award is as follows:
- Ruby - Stillwater, Okla.
- Shima - Venice Beach, Calif.
- Riley - Doral, Fla.
- Murray - St. Augustine, Fla.
- Wrigley Wayne Mathew - New York
- Sammi and Mr. Boots - Washington, Mo.
- Ghost - Albuquerque
- Bella & Spirit - Rochester, N.Y.
- Buddy and Sambuca - Aurora, Colo.
- Mason - Hamburg, N.Y.
Thanks again to all the pet owners who submitted photos, and a hearty congratulations to all our winners.
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The Experts
Libby McMillan
A longtime travel journalist, Libby chose her... Read More
A longtime travel journalist, Libby chose her beautiful city after a nationwide search for a new hometown. Greenville's amazing downtown, four mild seasons, varied terrain, friendly residents and countless nearby waterfalls made it a winner.
Libby previously spent 20 years in Florida, what she calls “the only place in the world where you drive north to reach the South.”
An avid college football fan, Libby has deep ties to the University of Oklahoma but graduated from rival Texas. She’s lived in Austin, Boston, Nashville, San Francisco and Captiva Island, Florida, including 4 happy years on a houseboat.
Libby McMillan
A longtime travel journalist, Libby chose her beautiful city after a nationwide search for a new hometown. Greenville's amazing downtown, four mild seasons, varied terrain, friendly residents and countless nearby waterfalls made it a winner.
Libby previously spent 20 years in Florida, what she calls “the only place in the world where you drive north to reach the South.”
An avid college football fan, Libby has deep ties to the University of Oklahoma but graduated from rival Texas. She’s lived in Austin, Boston, Nashville, San Francisco and Captiva Island, Florida, including 4 happy years on a houseboat.
Lydia Schrandt
Lydia Schrandt, Senior Photo Editor for USA TODAY... Read More
Lydia Schrandt, Senior Photo Editor for USA TODAY 10Best, grew up with two dogs, three cats, a hamster and two parakeets, so she's no stranger to stressed out animals.
Lydia Schrandt
Lydia Schrandt, Senior Photo Editor for USA TODAY 10Best, grew up with two dogs, three cats, a hamster and two parakeets, so she's no stranger to stressed out animals.
