Date: Fri 04-Jul-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

Number-1-dog-Nugget-town-clerk

Full Text:

Nugget Pans Out As Golden: Newtown's No. 1 Dog Is Chosen

(with photo)

BY ANDREA ZIMMERMANN

Nugget, the golden retriever, was so enthused about being chosen Number 1 Dog,

he could barely sit still for a picture. He tried to lick everyone who passed

him on the town hall steps, as if to say, "Yes! Out of all the licensed dogs

in Newtown, they drew my name and I now wear dog tag number 1."

The contest, sponsored by the town clerk's office, is an incentive for people

to comply with state regulations and license their dogs by June 30. Tax

Collector Carol Mahoney randomly picked the golden as the winner. Two prizes

donated by the staff at the town clerk's office are a 22-pound bag of Purina

Dog Chow and a certificate for a free rabies shot at the next town clinic.

The two-year old dog, known officially as Golden Chicken Nugget, had a

characteristic grin on his face when being awarded the honor. He was

accompanied to town hall by mistress Lynn Nagy and his best friend Ben Nagy

who shared the inside story on the new celebrity.

"Nugget likes to chase balls and sticks. He has a whole basket of toys. His

favorite is a squeaky pig," said Mrs Nagy. "Last year he went on our boat, on

Lake Zoar. [On shore] he met some friends - all golden retrievers - and

[eventually] went into the water."

Among his buddies is 11-year-old Frisky the cat, with whom he is often caught

napping. Nugget also likes to take time to smell the roses - and all other

flowers. He likes to run around his big back yard on Cold Spring Road, and one

of his dare-devil feats is to go on the family's trampoline (he doesn't like

to bounce high, though).

When he's not swimming, running, napping, or bouncing, the 85-pound golden

likes to take a break and snack on peanut butter coated rawhide. When

presented with the huge bag of dog chow, Nugget became speechless. But his

owners said it all.

"He's the number one dog in our family," said Mrs Nagy. "He's the best dog

we've ever had."