Scooter, a 13-year-old Australian shepherd has been named Westfield’s Top Dog for 2026.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
WESTFIELD — City Clerk Kaitlyn Bruce has announced that Westfield’s Top Dog for 2026 went to Scooter, a 13-year-old Australian shepherd. Scooter was adopted by Westfield Police Officer Ryan Wilson in June of 2023, after he spotted him at the Westfield Animal Shelter.
“I believe his previous owner passed away, and he was at the shelter for a little bit of time. I am a police officer in town, and while bringing a cat to the shelter one evening, I saw Scooter inside the kennel. He reminded me of my dog at home, and I thought he would be the perfect companion for our other dog, Lucy,” Wilson said.
A few weeks later, Ryan and his fianceé, Ashley Levya, adopted Scooter into their family. “It was the best decision we’ve ever made! He’s had some health issues, but we’ve made sure he has gotten the best care possible. He is such a happy and snuggly dog,” Wilson said.
Scooter’s sister, Lucy, is a four-year-old Australian shepherd/Catahoula leopard dog who was also adopted from Mississippi. “Lucy and Scooter are best friends. They love playing in the snow together in our fenced-in backyard. Lucy makes Scooter feel young again; at age 13, he plays like he’s 5 years old,” Wilson said.
Animal Control Operations Manager Margaret Terkelsen remembers Scooter, even though he spent only a couple of months at the shelter.
Terkelsen said Scooter has been a licensed dog resident of Westfield since 2014. “In May of 2023, Scooter and his brother’s Bentley’s (a senior corgi) dad passed away. No friends or family were able to care for Scooter and Bentley, so they were brought to Westfield Animal Shelter for care and adoption.
“Scooter was in our care for two months. During that time, he received lots of love and nourishment from our staff and volunteers. Also, with the help of funding from Westfield Animal Shelter Heroes (a nonprofit that assists the shelter with medical costs), Scooter was able to receive a much-needed tooth extraction, dental cleaning and other treatments before getting adopted.
“Scooter was adopted by a lovely couple who also have another Australian shepherd mix named Lucy. Scooter spends lots of his time at home with his family, enjoying snuggles and a big yard to play with his toys in. He also enjoys trips to the beach when his family can get him and Lucy there.
“We are all so happy for Scooter. From the day he came into the shelter, Scooter was a ray of sunshine. He loved everyone here and was a kind and silly boy every day. Sometimes, we would walk by his kennel during rest time and find Scooter sprawled out, upside down, without a care in the world. It always gave staff and volunteers a chuckle,” Terkelsen said, adding, “Congrats on the Top Dog win, Scooter!!”
Wilson said he entered Scooter into the Top Dog contest because he thought it would be a fun way to engage with the community. “My family and friends know how much Ashley and I love him, so we thought we’d share our little guy with the community,” he said.
“I just wanted to add that Ashley and I are so grateful for Scooter and Lucy. Even if we have a bad day at work, we can always count on them to cheer us up. They’re great companions to our family,” Wilson said.
Westfield’s annual Top Dog contest was launched by the city clerk’s office in 2023 to encourage residents to license their dogs. All participants for Top Dog must have a current dog license. Bruce said licensing helps prevent rabies outbreaks by requiring a certificate of vaccination for all dogs. “
It also increases the chance that you will be reunited with your pet in the unfortunate event they are lost. If we can bring safety and fun together with a little friendly competition, it’s a win-win.”
Annual dog license forms will go out by the end of the month in the annual city census and are due March 31. For the first time this year, dog licenses may also be paid online. Rabies and spay-neutered certificates (if not listed on the rabies certificate) must be uploaded in order to pay online. For more information on dog licenses, go to https://www.cityofwestfield.org/880/Dog-Licenses.
This year’s Top Dog contest had 144 entrants. Scooter received the most votes from the public with 150 votes, just under 30% of the 504 votes cast. Second place went to Gertrude with 137 votes, and third place to Summertime, with 71 votes.
The top three winners will get Westfield dog license numbers 1, 2 and 3. A photo of Scooter will hang in the city clerk’s office throughout 2026, and his photo will also be featured on news posts sent from the office. “Scooter will be added to the Hall of Fame in the licensing office,” Bruce said.
The winners and their stories will be posted by the end of the month on the city clerk’s page at cityofwestfield.org/894/Westfields-Top-Dog.
