2025 Outer Banks Coastal Life Cutest Pets Winners
From the spectacular wildlife species inhabiting our beaches and parks to our beloved furry (and also not so furry) companions living in our homes, the Outer Banks community cherishes and champions the animals that dwell here. Our affection runs particularly deep when it comes to our pets, which are not only viewed like family but rather they are family.
The results from Outer Banks Coastal Life’s second annual Cutest Pets contest are in. Thank you for all of the wonderful submissions and to those that participated with this year’s competition. With nearly 100 submissions and several hundred votes, the contest ran from Dec. 3, 2024 through April 1, 2025. We are pleased to showcase the top two Cutest Pets winners, Roxy and Tao—a couple of the sweetest pups you will ever meet. Get to know these adorable dogs by reading the responses below shared by their owners.
By Julie Matthews
1st Place Winner: Roxy
Photo courtesy of Ashley Dieck, owner of Ashley’s Pet Sitting Services
What is your pet’s breed and age? Roxy was born on 08/13/2021, she will be 4 this year. Her mom is a purebred Rottweiler, and her dad is an all-white German Shepherd.
How did your pet come to join your family? I got Roxy in 2021 when I was still living in Arizona. After my uncle’s unexpected passing, I decided I wanted one of his dog’s puppies, who were due any day. After they were born, I picked the beautiful, purple-collared girl. My cousin picked the adorable, orange-collared boy.
Unfortunately, the puppies were premature, and only two of them survived—the purple and orange-collared pups. We truly believe my uncle saved those two pups just for us and kept the other four for our family members who had passed shortly before him.
What brings your pet joy? Roxy LOVES peanut butter treats (small spoon of peanut butter), playing ball, getting new toys, beating up on my father-in-law’s dogs, taking car rides, visiting the doggy park and digging in the sand at the beach. She’s a total tomboy and an outdoorsy girl. She would prefer to be outside all the time if we let her.
Does your pet have any special talents or funny behaviors?
Roxy typically doesn’t bark unless we tell her to. She knows how to “whisper” and “speak.” She only gives a small, “woof” if there is something new or scary to her in the yard.
When it’s “quiet time,” meaning no play time, and she wants our attention, she will lay on her back, paws in the air and jowls flopped down towards the ground showing off her pearly whites. She looks ridiculous and we can’t help but laugh which then gets her out of “quiet time.”
She is incredibly smart and learns things quickly. She knows “through” (go through my legs), whisper, speak, give five, taste (will lick a treat), catch, and all the basic commands (sit, down, leave it, drop it, etc.).
Please describe your pet’s personality. Roxy is happy, loving, hyper, playful, and very easily excitable. She always has a smile on her face with her slobbery tongue hanging out of her mouth. She has an indescribable love for life and she deeply enriches ours.
What are some interesting facts about your pet?
– She was born in Washington State.
– She was 1 of 2 puppies that survived a litter of 6.
– She was 2 weeks premature but still weighs a healthy 96 lbs!
– She rolls her eyes and huffs when she doesn’t get her way or sometimes talks back (groans).
– She watches TV with us. She loves “Star Wars” and
“The Sopranos” the most or when her Dad plays video games.
She has many nicknames and answers to all of them: Derp, Derp, Dawg, Derpy Doo, Derp Nugget, Foxy Roxy, Roxanne, dumb dumb (affectionately), Dawg, Pookie, Doodie, Dood-ums.
What do you and your pet like to do together for fun? I own Ashley’s Pet Sitting Services and she LOVES coming to work with me when she’s allowed. We love to do yard work, take a walk on our property, play with her ball, go for road trips and play dates with her friends.
What do you love the most about your pet? I love that she has brought so much peace and happiness into my life. She came to me at a very difficult time and has been my rock for the last 4 years and hopefully for many more to come.
Is there anything else about your pet that you would like to share? Her favorite people in the world are Mommy, Daddy, and Grandpa.
Runner-up: Tao
Photo courtesy of his mom! Sarah White
What is your pet’s breed and age? He’s a brown dog that looks like a mini boxer.
How did your pet come to join your family? I adopted Tao from the SPCA when he was 6 months old.
What brings your pet joy? Tao loves to go for walks! He’s very playful and always greets us with his toys. He’s has two feline brothers that he loves to play with.
Does your pet have any special talents or funny behaviors? He’s very vocal, he sneezes when he wants something and croaks for his food.
Please describe your pet’s personality. He’s a sassy old man.
What are some interesting facts about your pet? He’s the fastest dog that I’ve ever seen, even at 13 he’s so agile, it’s impressive!
What do you and your pet like to do together for fun? Tao is very snuggly, we love to cuddle!!
What do you love the most about your pet? He’s so sweet and loving. He brings so much joy to our family, but I love his silly little pumpkin teeth the most!
Is there anything else about your pet that you would like to share? He loves to lay in the sun! Total lizard boy.
Are you interested in providing a loving home to a dog, cat or other animal, or would you like to lend your support to help animals in need? Visit OBXSPA.org to learn about all of the amazing work the Outer Banks SPCA, Dare County Animal Shelter is doing and possibly adopt a new family member.
Adoption Hours:
Monday – Friday: 11am – 5pm
(1-2pm nap time)
Saturday & Sunday – by appointment only
obxspca.org | 252-475-5620
378 Airport Road | Manteo, NC 27954
Author: Julie Matthews
