Submitted by Dawn Rees Mooney, Killingworth Town Clerk
(September 5, 2026) — The Killingworth Town Clerk’s Office has a bit of a problem! We would be honored to share a photo of Hunter, Killingworth’s #1 Top Dog Winner … if only we could! You see, the 2026 #1 Top Dog is a 14-year-old miniature Poodle who just happens to be an identical twin. Hunter and Norman, tiny white pups who look as though they were cloned, were adopted by Wendy Clason from a rescue organization when her beloved senior pup, Opal, unexpectedly passed away. Heartbroken but determined to rescue again, Wendy stumbled upon the brothers in need of a home, and the rest is history!
Hunter and Norman (photo above) are identical, inseparable and apparently enjoy a good prank! These boys are tough nuts to crack and have completely refused to disclose which one is Hunter. So, the Town Clerk’s Office has no choice but to declare the duo of Hunter AND Norman Killingworth’s TOP DOG! Since they already share everything, and have for 14 years, sharing the top prize should be a “walk in the park”!
But please don’t worry because there is a very clear and deserving winner of the #2 Top Dog title. Molly (photo above) is an adorable, one-year-old Shih Tzu mix residing in Sun Communities with her mom, dad and brother Brody. She was rescued from Pennsylvania this past spring when her previous owner fell ill, and she’s been calling the shots ever since. This little pixie loves chicken and steak, all of her toys and her neighborhood besties, Dexter and Riley. Molly bounded into Town Hall grinning from ear to ear and charming everyone who crossed her path. Dressed in a patriotic outfit befitting the little princess that she is, Molly claimed her prizes, new tag and posed for photos with impish excitement, then departed to return home and order her brother around. This little girl runs a very tight ship and even enforces a very strict 5:00 a.m. daily wake-up for her entire family. Molly, keep up the good work!
And Killingworth’s #3 Top Dog is Clara. A seven-year-old purebred Collie, Clara (photo above) is a show-stopping beauty who “chose” her family when they visited a breeder intending to adopt a different pup as a companion for their older dog. As her family was inside the house, six-month-old Clara was outside, persistently jumping to peek in the window to see what was going on. Well, eyes met, hearts melted, and Clara went home to Killingworth to begin her new life. Shortly after being adopted, a spooked Clara broke away from her mom, ran down the center of Route 81 and into a frozen pond. Luckily, a passerby witnessed this and jumped out of her car to rescue this beauty from the icy water and return her home. (In the spirit of full transparency, as Town Clerk I must disclose that the passerby in this story was my daughter!) Clara loves Killingworth, especially her trips to Chatfield Hollow, and one very special visit to Killingworth Animal Hospital when she adopted a deaf, feral cat. She now cares for Oscar the cat, even guiding him quickly back into the house if he escapes outdoors. Clara clearly values her Top Dog role and wears Killingworth’s #3 tag with pride!
Photos provided by Killingworth Town Clerk
