Former Phoenix stray pup wins top honor at World Dog Awards
Jan 16, 2015, 2:01 PM | Updated: 2:01 pm
A Phoenix dog that was taken in by a major league baseball team has been named Dog of the Year.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Hank, the Brewers dog, took the top prize at The CW Network’s World Dog Awards. The inaugural ceremony was held Saturday in Santa Monica, Califonia, but wasn’t televised until Thursday night on The CW Network.
Paris Hilton presented Hank with the Golden Hydrant prize. He was one of five finalists for the trophy, as voted on by users of The CW Network’s website. He was up against such high-profile canines as Stella from ABC’s “Modern Family.”
Hank was taken in by the Milwaukee Brewers during their 2014 spring training stint in the Valley. He wandered onto the field at Maryvale Baseball Park in February looking a little roughed up.
Team employees took him to a veterinarian for a checkup and bath. The vet spotted a tail injury and some gray markings around his right hind leg, a sign that it may have been run over by a vehicle. It was estimated he looked like a bichon frise mix.
He was named Hank in honor of Henry Aaron, who began his major league career in Milwaukee. The dog became an immediate hit with the players, who took turns walking and caring for him.
Once the Brewers’ spring training days were finished, the team took Hank with them to Milwaukee.
It wasn’t long before the Wisconsin Humane Society received more than 1,000 offers to adopt Hank.
Hank found a permanent home with Andy and Marti Wronski and their sons. Marti Wronski, vice president and general counsel for the Brewers, and son Jonah escorted Hank to the awards ceremony [Saturday].
The Associated Press contributed to this report.