{"id":434234,"date":"2025-12-08T22:42:46","date_gmt":"2025-12-08T22:42:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/434234\/"},"modified":"2025-12-08T22:42:46","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T22:42:46","slug":"san-diego-magazines-2025-cutest-pets-winners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/434234\/","title":{"rendered":"San Diego Magazine’s 2025 Cutest Pets Winners"},"content":{"rendered":"

Look. This is serious, Pulitzer-worthy stuff. A few months back, we made some unbearable who\u2019s-a-good-doggie sounds and set out to find the most soul-fluffing, adorable pets<\/a> we possibly could. Why? Welcome to six pages of serotonin.<\/p>\n

We asked the public to submit photos of their little buddies and opened public voting for the first annual \u201cCutest Pets\u201d competition. A biblical flood of cat glamour shots ensued.<\/p>\n

To oomph up our selfish pursuit with a little positive social impact, we partnered with the San Diego Humane Society<\/a>. As part of this campaign, we were able to find four shelter animals a new home.<\/p>\n

We organized a meetup between some of the winners (plus one adorable stowaway, Yumi\u2014we\u2019re not actually sure how she ended up at the photo shoot, but we are so glad she did) and one of the city\u2019s top pet photographers, Allison Shamrell<\/a>. Here, we tell their stories.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cutest Pets Critic\u2019s Choice Winners<\/p>\n

\"SanPhoto Credit: Allison Shamrell<\/p>\n

Certified Good Girl Award<\/p>\n

Mochi<\/p>\n

If you see a prancy little pup on a city street appearing slightly annoyed at a similar-looking, maybe less fabulous version of herself\u2014as if she\u2019s had this same conversation with him multiple times, and he is simply incapable of following orders\u2014you might\u2019ve found Mochi. \u201cShe is bossy,\u201d says her paw-rent Vaale Gafori. \u201cShe likes to take her big brother on walks by pulling his leash with her teeth to get him to move faster.\u201d <\/p>\n

When you\u2019re born looking like Mochi, whose 23andMe would likely unveil she\u2019s part Disney animation, you can demand the timing, frequency, and pace of strolls. Later, she\u2019ll 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\u2019s known to lounge in her owners\u2019 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\u2019t think that means she needs a bodyguard\u2014consider her a warrior princess. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe were on a walk one day and saw a coyote walking toward us,\u201d Gafori explains. \u201cShe 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.\u201d If she were a human with a job? \u201cDefinitely a personal trainer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"SanPhoto Credit: Allison Shamrell<\/p>\n

Best Smile Award<\/p>\n

Remy<\/p>\n

\u201cRemy had a traumatic event in 2024, resulting in a broken back,\u201d says owner Valerie Aiello. \u201cA 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.\u201d Apt, we\u2019re afraid, but the pun didn\u2019t stick. <\/p>\n

\u201cIn June 2024, during an open house visit at Frosted Faces, I fell in love,\u201d Aiello adds. \u201cI adopted Dragon. He became my little Remy, named after the little chef in Ratatouille\u2014he 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 \u2018Mr. Mayor\u2019 when he dons a bowtie as he struts through the neighborhood greeting everyone. His back is broken, but his spirit isn\u2019t!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"SanPhoto Credit: Allison Shamrell<\/p>\n

Tiny But Mighty Award<\/p>\n

Stella<\/p>\n

\u201cStella is a mixed terrier puppy we adopted from Helen Woodward [Animal Center] last year,\u201d says her mama, Sarah Stillman. \u201cShe 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. <\/p>\n

If she had a profession, she would either be a surgeon\u2014as she has a passion for tactically and precisely snapping squeakers in toys before removing them\u2014or 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\u2019ll 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.<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n

\"SanPhoto Credit: Allison Shamrell<\/p>\n

Floofiest Floof (Cat) Award<\/p>\n

Mischa<\/p>\n

Mischa would like you to properly kneel when you address her. She\u2019s the heir to a throne made entirely of Churu squeezable treats. \u201cShe\u2019s equal parts beauty queen and explorer,\u201d says her royal-subject-slash-owner Lauren Kragel. \u201cShe 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. <\/p>\n

Her royal highness\u2019 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\u2019d 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\u2019s that rare mix of grace and confidence that makes everyone stop and look twice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"SanPhoto Credit: Allison Shamrell<\/p>\n

Floofiest Floof (Dog) Award<\/p>\n

Hash Brown<\/p>\n

Hash Brown often doesn\u2019t get credit for it, but he\u2019s the fifth member of the Bee Gees. His nickname is \u201cHash,\u201d which also fits the \u201970s theme we\u2019ve pigeonholed ourselves into. He\u2019s been called \u201ccuddilicious\u201d 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\u2019ll pet other dogs out there. Please don\u2019t attempt jumping jacks in his vicinity\u2014he firmly disapproves of such an activity.<\/p>\n

If he were a person and therefore required to be reasonably employed, he would be a ma\u00eetre d\u2019, such is his aim to please. If Hash were to create a dating profile, it would read, per his owners: \u201cGolden locks, soulful eyes, and a heart as soft as my fur. I\u2019ll melt into your lap for cuddles, follow you everywhere, and make you laugh every day. Let\u2019s share treats, sunsets, and snuggles.\u201d His name is in honor of their first pup, Tater. A potato tradition, upheld.<\/p>\n

\"SanPhoto Credit: Allison Shamrell<\/p>\n

So Ugly So Cute Award<\/p>\n

La Vie En Rouge<\/p>\n

La Vie En Rouge would like to take umbrage with this entire category. That face is an angel\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n

\u201cI took her in as her retirement home after she spent eight years traveling the world as a [dog show] grand champion,\u201d says her owner Jeslyn Wynkoop. \u201cThis 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\u2019t budge until I get the leash. She\u2019s great with elevators. <\/p>\n

The biggest issue is that she has severe separation anxiety if I leave her alone\u2014she\u2019s 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\u2019re out walking,] all the guys refer to her as \u2018Chewbacca.\u2019 George Lucas had this breed when he did Star Wars!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"SanPhoto Credit: Allison Shamrell<\/p>\n

Cutest Puppy Award<\/p>\n

Churro<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore meeting him, my kiddos and I had talked about possible food names to reflect his tan coat,\u201d says owner Amy O\u2019Connor. \u201cMy husband chimed in and said he looks like a churro.\u201d 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. \u201cHe plays fetch with himself by rolling a tennis ball down our sloped driveway,\u201d O\u2019Connor explains. \u201cOnce he gets going, he can easily entertain himself for 20 to 30 minutes.\u201d He\u2019s been known to sleep on the stairs on his back with his paws up, which gives us secondhand sciatica. <\/p>\n

\u201cIf you didn\u2019t know any better you would think he was dead,\u201d O\u2019Connor adds. He\u2019s 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\u2019d like to offer to pay for the car cleaning, but who are we kidding, we work in media. Watch his star rise at @achurrodog<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"SanPhoto Credit: Allison Shamrell<\/p>\n

Pet & Owner Doppleg\u00e4ngers Award<\/p>\n

Allison & Kinsey<\/p>\n

\u201cWe adopted Kinsey in April of 2020, shortly after her front left leg was amputated,\u201d says her twin Allison Bechill. \u201cShe 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\u2019t like being approached directly. If I tried to photograph her head-on, she\u2019d 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. <\/p>\n

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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"SanPhoto Credit: Allison Shamrell<\/p>\n

Our Cold, Journalistic Hearts Award<\/p>\n

Yumi<\/p>\n

Yumi smiles like Jack Nicholson\u2014you\u2019re not sure if she\u2019s preternaturally happy or if she just pulled off a caper that\u2019s gonna put a real crimp in your day. If she were human, she\u2019d be \u201clead neighborhood watch volunteer,\u201d says owner Cherie Peirce. \u201cShe is always in the know about what\u2019s going on in the neighborhood and reports it.\u201d Her name means beautiful in Japanese, and we\u2019re not even going to look that up. If Yumi says it\u2019s so, it is so.<\/p>\n

Cutest Pets Readers\u2019 Choice Winners<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

Best Smile<\/p>\n

Remy<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

Best Athlete<\/p>\n

Meeka<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

Funniest Sleeping Pose<\/p>\n

Sam Rockwell<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

Tiny but Mighty<\/p>\n

Stella<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

Floofiest Floof (Dog)<\/p>\n

Hash Brown<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

Floofiest Floof (Cat)<\/p>\n

Mischa<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

So Ugly So Cute <\/p>\n

La Vie En Rouge<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

Cutest Puppy<\/p>\n

Churro<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

Cutest Senior Dog<\/p>\n

Cash<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

Certified Good Boy\/Girl<\/p>\n

Mochi<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

Pet & Owner Doppelg\u00e4ngers <\/p>\n

Kinsey<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

Grumpiest Cat<\/p>\n

Boo<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

Most Majestic Pose<\/p>\n

Sir Walter Raleigh<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

Best Zoomies Freeze-Frame<\/p>\n

Beaker<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

Silliest Sleeping Position<\/p>\n

Sunshine<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

Most Mischievous Look<\/p>\n

Phoebe<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

Best Loaf<\/p>\n

Moki<\/p>\n

Homeward Bound <\/p>\n

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:<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

Le Chat<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s got the charisma of a Parisian movie star and the soul of a mysterious novelist\u2014reserved and always observing,\u201d her humane society profile extolled. \u201cLe Chat is a connoisseur of calm and a lover of routine. She\u2019s an independent thinker with excellent taste in napping spots, sunbeams, and aesthetic window views.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

Paige<\/p>\n

At 6 years old and 86 pounds, Paige didn\u2019t have the freshie appeal of a puppy and wasn\u2019t 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\u2014proof that every rescue dog is just one social media post away from meeting their soulmate. Instagram accordingly.<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

Panchita <\/p>\n

Her SDHS profile: \u201cA 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!\u201d Someone, somewhere, is gladly lint-rolling a shirt or two.<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

Zara <\/p>\n

She may be named after an affordable fashion store, but she looks like a million bucks\u2014just stare into those caramel eyes, which resemble two Werther\u2019s Originals. Human Zara would be the kind of friend who\u2019d wake you up at 5 a.m. and challenge you to a quick half-marathon.<\/p>\n

PARTNER CONTENT<\/p>\n


\n \"Why
\n Why San Diego\u2019s 45+ Community is Choosing Refractive L…
\n <\/a><\/p>\n


\n \"James
\n James Beard Finalist Tara Monsod Debuts \u201cDate Night…
\n <\/a><\/p>\n

Think your pet has what it takes to be San Diego\u2019s most fetching?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sign up for our Best of San Diego newsletter<\/a> to be the first to know when next year\u2019s cutest pets contest opens!<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t