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Rudy wins Wheaton 'reindog' contest

Let's say your name is, oh, Sundance.

Let's say you're a dog.

Let's say it's the holidays and you're looking for a way to get into the same spirit as all those humans running around your house.

You've already checked out the tree. (Imagine having someone bring a tree inside! It's kind of like being around for the invention of indoor plumbing!) It's possible you've gotten into the wrapping paper a little early. And honestly, did they really expect you not to confuse that one low-hanging ornament - the one that used to look like Snoopy - with a rawhide chew?

Anyway, you're looking for a place to show off that new Christmas sweater and those cute little antlers, and then your human hears about the perfect spot: downtown Wheaton on Saturday morning for the second annual Santa's Reindog Contest. Sponsored by the Downtown Wheaton Association, it's the perfect place for Santa to check out competing canines' potential as a "reindog" before announcing the winners.

On Saturday, those winners were: first place, Jennifer Benitez of Carol Stream and her dog Rudy; second place, Lauren Smith of Wheaton and her dog Sadie; and third place, Riley Tomes of Wheaton and her dog Rosie.

"I'm kind of a competitive person, and I really enjoy being creative," Benitez said. "Rudy is a really good trouper. We've done this before for other things, and Rudy is very calm and a good participant for this competition. His name is Rudy for a reason. It's Rudolph, and I thought that would be appropriate."

The top three finishers each received a toy appropriate to its size. The winning owners each received gift cards that can be redeemed at downtown businesses, with the top prize of $100.

  Jennifer Benitez of Carol Stream and her dog Rudy won first place in the second annual Santa's Reindog celebration in Wheaton. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Lauren Smith's dog Sadie won second place Saturday during the Santa's Reindog celebration in Wheaton. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Paula Barrington, right, executive director of the Downtown Wheaton Association, announces Riley Tomes of Wheaton and her dog Rosie as the third-place finisher in Saturday's Santa's Reindog celebration. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
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