Look. This is serious, Pulitzer-worthy stuff. A few months back, we made some unbearable who’s-a-good-doggie sounds and set out to find the most soul-fluffing, adorable pets we possibly could. Why? Welcome to six pages of serotonin.
We asked the public to submit photos of their little buddies and opened public voting for the first annual “Cutest Pets” competition. A biblical flood of cat glamour shots ensued.
To oomph up our selfish pursuit with a little positive social impact, we partnered with the San Diego Humane Society. As part of this campaign, we were able to find four shelter animals a new home.
We organized a meetup between some of the winners (plus one adorable stowaway, Yumi—we’re not actually sure how she ended up at the photo shoot, but we are so glad she did) and one of the city’s top pet photographers, Allison Shamrell. Here, we tell their stories.
Note: Much as expected and beloved about cats, only one showed interest in the photo session. So, please enjoy the dogs (and cat). And, for a full list of winners, visit cutestpets.sdmag.com.
Cutest Pets Critic’s Choice Winners
Certified Good Girl Award
Mochi
If you see a prancy little pup on a city street appearing slightly annoyed at a similar-looking, maybe less fabulous version of herself—as if she’s had this same conversation with him multiple times, and he is simply incapable of following orders—you might’ve found Mochi. “She is bossy,” says her paw-rent Vaale Gafori. “She likes to take her big brother on walks by pulling his leash with her teeth to get him to move faster.”
When you’re born looking like Mochi, whose 23andMe would likely unveil she’s part Disney animation, you can demand the timing, frequency, and pace of strolls. Later, she’ll snuggle her tiny noggin under your hand to remind you that her rider clearly states that headrubs must be regularly provided by venue management. She’s known to lounge in her owners’ bed in a bathrobe, because as far as Mochi is concerned, everywhere she goes is a St. Regis and should be amenitied accordingly. But don’t think that means she needs a bodyguard—consider her a warrior princess.
“We were on a walk one day and saw a coyote walking toward us,” Gafori explains. “She started this quiet snarl that picked up in intensity, and the coyote just stared and then turned and ran the other way. She is sass.” If she were a human with a job? “Definitely a personal trainer.”
Best Smile Award
Remy
“Remy had a traumatic event in 2024, resulting in a broken back,” says owner Valerie Aiello. “A good Samaritan found him dragging himself through the dirt. He was brought to an emergency clinic and ultimately was released to Frosted Faces [Foundation, a senior pet rescue] in Ramona. A neurologist recommended euthanasia. The owners of Frosted Faces said no. Instead, they gave him a home. He was named Dragon, because he be dragging.” Apt, we’re afraid, but the pun didn’t stick.
“In June 2024, during an open house visit at Frosted Faces, I fell in love,” Aiello adds. “I adopted Dragon. He became my little Remy, named after the little chef in Ratatouille—he is a foodie and a lovable little man. If he were to have a career, it would be chef or mayor. We refer to him as ‘Mr. Mayor’ when he dons a bowtie as he struts through the neighborhood greeting everyone. His back is broken, but his spirit isn’t!”
Tiny But Mighty Award
Stella
“Stella is a mixed terrier puppy we adopted from Helen Woodward [Animal Center] last year,” says her mama, Sarah Stillman. “She just celebrated her first birthday. Her long eyelashes and long, white, sock- like paws add charm as she prances anywhere she goes, making friends with every dog and person she sees. She always wants to find ways to be supportive or help with whatever you may be working on, and she will always do it with a wagging tail.
If she had a profession, she would either be a surgeon—as she has a passion for tactically and precisely snapping squeakers in toys before removing them—or a police commissioner, overseeing effective security measures throughout the neighborhood while checking food and bags that enter the premises and confiscating any toys, packaging and all. If neither works out, she’ll settle for being an influencer. Stella has the gift of being able to light up any room she enters, like a star, hence the name! She also has an IG: @stellarenfri.”
Floofiest Floof (Cat) Award
Mischa
Mischa would like you to properly kneel when you address her. She’s the heir to a throne made entirely of Churu squeezable treats. “She’s equal parts beauty queen and explorer,” says her royal-subject-slash-owner Lauren Kragel. “She belly flops dramatically for tummy rubs, demands her nightly nose kisses, and adores stroller rides and beach walks like a seasoned jet-setter. She thrives on attention, meowing at strangers until they fall under her spell.
Her royal highness’ least queenly habit? Rolling in dirt right after being brushed to perfection. Her quirkiest? Claiming a metal colander as her favorite bed and throne to nap in. If Mischa were human, she’d be a model-turned- CEO with a private jet and a publicist. She travels in cars and planes with ease, turns every outing into a photo op, and captures hearts everywhere she goes. She’s that rare mix of grace and confidence that makes everyone stop and look twice.”
Floofiest Floof (Dog) Award
Hash Brown
Hash Brown often doesn’t get credit for it, but he’s the fifth member of the Bee Gees. His nickname is “Hash,” which also fits the ’70s theme we’ve pigeonholed ourselves into. He’s been called “cuddilicious” by his owners and performs a mean helicopter tail for style points. The most annoying thing Hash does is love his owners excessively and refuse to let them leave the house, knowing full well they’ll pet other dogs out there. Please don’t attempt jumping jacks in his vicinity—he firmly disapproves of such an activity.
If he were a person and therefore required to be reasonably employed, he would be a maître d’, such is his aim to please. If Hash were to create a dating profile, it would read, per his owners: “Golden locks, soulful eyes, and a heart as soft as my fur. I’ll melt into your lap for cuddles, follow you everywhere, and make you laugh every day. Let’s share treats, sunsets, and snuggles.” His name is in honor of their first pup, Tater. A potato tradition, upheld.
So Ugly So Cute Award
La Vie En Rouge
La Vie En Rouge would like to take umbrage with this entire category. That face is an angel’s face, albeit a slightly smooshed angel whose underbite is merely a road map to let you know where to feed her, since her beard gives the impression that her face starts much lower and confusion could lead to hunger. As you might have guessed, this little wookie is a globetrotting beauty-contest titleholder.
“I took her in as her retirement home after she spent eight years traveling the world as a [dog show] grand champion,” says her owner Jeslyn Wynkoop. “This is my fourth Brussels Griffon, and she is totally different from my others. She barks like a watch dog and only goes out to the lawn in the morning on a leash after traveling and living in fancy hotels. She sits and won’t budge until I get the leash. She’s great with elevators.
The biggest issue is that she has severe separation anxiety if I leave her alone—she’s never been totally alone in her life until living with me. If I need to go somewhere she cannot go, she howls for hours. She is very needy but adorable and, [when we’re out walking,] all the guys refer to her as ‘Chewbacca.’ George Lucas had this breed when he did Star Wars!”
Cutest Puppy Award
Churro
“Before meeting him, my kiddos and I had talked about possible food names to reflect his tan coat,” says owner Amy O’Connor. “My husband chimed in and said he looks like a churro.” And he does, if the secret best part of going to a sports game and/or theme park had a head of glorious, early-Justin- Bieber-esque, shaggy hair. Churro is also autodidactic. “He plays fetch with himself by rolling a tennis ball down our sloped driveway,” O’Connor explains. “Once he gets going, he can easily entertain himself for 20 to 30 minutes.” He’s been known to sleep on the stairs on his back with his paws up, which gives us secondhand sciatica.
“If you didn’t know any better you would think he was dead,” O’Connor adds. He’s also a fierce advocate for walkable cities, having thrown up in the vehicle three times on the way to his photo shoot for this feature (and then a fourth time on the way home). We’d like to offer to pay for the car cleaning, but who are we kidding, we work in media. Watch his star rise at @achurrodog.
Pet & Owner Dopplegängers Award
Allison & Kinsey
“We adopted Kinsey in April of 2020, shortly after her front left leg was amputated,” says her twin Allison Bechill. “She bonded to my husband and me quickly, despite clearly having experienced some unknown trauma, but she had some behaviors that made it hard to take her picture. She often flinched in fear if you reached a hand towards her face, and she didn’t like being approached directly. If I tried to photograph her head-on, she’d immediately run up and submissively flop belly-up at my feet. But we quickly adapted and found she not only tolerated but enjoyed taking selfies.
With her leaning against me, our heads side by side, my hair and her long ears (she prefers her groomer to leave them untouched most visits) looked enough alike that those who saw them would sometimes laughingly comment on our matching looks. Born from an effort to capture her on camera without stressing her out, the resemblance was a happy accident that brought some bonus smiles to our friends and family.”
Our Cold, Journalistic Hearts Award
Yumi
Yumi smiles like Jack Nicholson—you’re not sure if she’s preternaturally happy or if she just pulled off a caper that’s gonna put a real crimp in your day. If she were human, she’d be “lead neighborhood watch volunteer,” says owner Cherie Peirce. “She is always in the know about what’s going on in the neighborhood and reports it.” Her name means beautiful in Japanese, and we’re not even going to look that up. If Yumi says it’s so, it is so.
Cutest Pets Readers’ Choice Winners
Best Smile
Remy
Best Athlete
Meeka
Funniest Sleeping Pose
Sam Rockwell
Tiny but Mighty
Stella
Floofiest Floof (Dog)
Hash Brown
Floofiest Floof (Cat)
Mischa
So Ugly So Cute
La Vie En Rouge
Cutest Puppy
Churro
Cutest Senior Dog
Cash
Certified Good Boy/Girl
Mochi
Pet & Owner Doppelgängers
Kinsey
Grumpiest Cat
Boo
Most Majestic Pose
Sir Walter Raleigh
Best Zoomies Freeze-Frame
Beaker
Silliest Sleeping Position
Sunshine
Most Mischievous Look
Phoebe
Best Loaf
Moki
Homeward Bound
Through our partnership with the San Diego Humane Society for the first annual Cutest Pets, we were able to find homes for four little buddies. Here they are:
Le Chat
“She’s got the charisma of a Parisian movie star and the soul of a mysterious novelist—reserved and always observing,” her humane society profile extolled. “Le Chat is a connoisseur of calm and a lover of routine. She’s an independent thinker with excellent taste in napping spots, sunbeams, and aesthetic window views.”
Paige
At 6 years old and 86 pounds, Paige didn’t have the freshie appeal of a puppy and wasn’t easy to fit in an apartment or condo situation. And yet this good girl, looking very much like she could star in a remake of The Little Rascals, found someone who could appreciate those pinchable jowls—proof that every rescue dog is just one social media post away from meeting their soulmate. Instagram accordingly.
Panchita
Her SDHS profile: “A sweet and curious mama who did an amazing job raising her litter of kittens and is now ready to be pampered in a home of her own. If you have freshly folded laundry that needs to be napped on, sunny spots that need to be basked in, and a cat- sized hole in your heart, Panchita is your gal!” Someone, somewhere, is gladly lint-rolling a shirt or two.
Zara
She may be named after an affordable fashion store, but she looks like a million bucks—just stare into those caramel eyes, which resemble two Werther’s Originals. Human Zara would be the kind of friend who’d wake you up at 5 a.m. and challenge you to a quick half-marathon.
PARTNER CONTENT
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