After nearly 100 submissions and thousands of votes, the winner of The Modesto Bee’s cutest dog contest has been decided. Garnering 74% of the vote, Mia has been chosen as the area’s cutest canine. And the win came despite voters not even getting a good look at her.
Mia, who recently turned 4 years old, is a chocolate tri-color English bulldog and the pet of Lisa Haas and Phillip Pavey of Turlock. Mia also spends much of her time with Lisa’s parents, Eric and Claudia Haas, and her grandmother Judy Haas in Modesto because Lisa works long hours as a registered nurse.
“I always wanted a bulldog, and I would keep seeing them pop up on my Instagram. My fiance, Phillip, gave her to me as a Christmas gift in 2020,” Lisa said.
Ever the sassy Scorpio, Mia snorts and grumbles but rarely barks. “We call her monster,” said Eric Haas, referring to her noises and unique bulldog face. That face remained a mystery on her contest entry photo, which shows Mia in a ghost costume from Halloween, with only her mouth and ears visible. Sporting the common bulldog underbite with two tiny fangs holding back a little pink tongue, Mia charmed voters with just her smile.