Good morning, Edenton, and welcome to your Edenton Social Light Top Dog update—where the competition is friendly, the contenders are charming, and a little help from the humans can make a big difference.

Week one winner Louie was ribboned yesterday at Bayside Bakery and Boards. Louie was extremely excited about the honor. So was owner/trainer Kristin Long who accepted the ribbon and bag of cookies for Louie.

While Louie was being awarded, Finnegan was on his way to last week’s winner’s circle a the bakery.

However, it is a new day and a new contest. Who will join Louie and Finnegan for the momthlyh contest is still in question but it is tight.

It’s Saturday morning, November 14, and Cricket is setting the pace with 81 votes. That’s a strong showing for our current leader, but there’s a determined contender in the rearview mirror.

Gizmo is holding second place with 54 votes, just 27 behind. This race is close enough for a loyal group of voters to make things interesting. Gizmo fans, now would be an excellent time to put down the coffee cup, pick up the phone, and give your dog a boost.

And remember—you can vote every day. Yesterday’s vote helped yesterday. Today is another opportunity to support your favorite.

In third place, Isabella, better known as Izzy, has collected 32 votes. Izzy is keeping the front-runners in sight, and a little extra enthusiasm from that cheering section could tighten the race.

Frida Bonita follows with 14 votes, while Nubby rounds out the top five with seven.

Now, Nubby fans, let’s have a word. Seven votes put your contender on the board, but this is no time for the cheering section to take a nap. If Nubby is your dog, your neighbor’s dog, or simply the face you can’t resist, make that affection count. Cast a vote, tell a friend, and come back tomorrow.

Just behind Nubby, Enzo Adachi has six votes. One vote separates those two contenders. That’s how much a single person can matter in this race.

Baxter is next with four votes, while Mickey and Piper have two apiece. Those numbers may look modest, but every climb begins somewhere. A handful of friends voting regularly could give any of these dogs a very different view of the standings.

Then comes our one-vote crowd: Cody, Gracie, Hayden, Waylon & Willie, Diesel, Ruby, Little Lady Bumblebee, and Hopkins & Bear.

They’re on the scoreboard. Now they need some company in their cheering sections. Whether your favorite comes with one name or a whole partnership, this is the moment to rally the household.

And now, a special appeal for Potato.

Potato is still waiting for that first vote. Edenton, we cannot leave Potato sitting quietly at the bottom of the basket. Somebody out there knows this dog’s star quality. Somebody has a soft spot for that face. Let’s turn that fondness into a little action at the ballot box.

The same goes for Milo, appearing alongside Mater & Moonpie. Three names, one entry, and no votes on the board Saturday morning. That sounds like a campaign in need of a few enthusiastic supporters. Team Milo, Mater & Moonpie, your candidates are ready. It’s time to get the people organized.

They have plenty of company. Hamish & Mya, Mazie, Bear, Hopkins, Maggie, Runa, and Millie are all waiting for their first votes.

So are Sir Jasper, Duke of Granville, Layla Maye, Harley, and Koa. Sir Jasper has the title; now he needs the turnout. And Harley and Koa fans, there is still an opportunity to help your favorites make their presence known.

Frank Lucas, Seventeen, Penny, and Summer are also looking for support. So are Stella, Carl, Lola the Wonder Dog, Bella, Max, and Sadie.

A little farther down the list, Poppy, Chance, Huckleberry, Stevie Penelope, Remus, and Molly are waiting for someone to get their campaigns moving. We have Bruno entries and another Diesel in the field, too, so take a good look at the photographs and make sure you’re cheering for your intended contender.

There are a lot of wonderful dogs here, and too many are still waiting for their first vote. Let’s get more of them into the race.

You don’t have to own a contestant to participate. Browse the photographs. Find an old friend or a new favorite. Then share the contest with someone who enjoys dogs as much as you do.

Most of all, remember that this is a daily opportunity. You can vote every day. Make it part of your morning coffee routine, your lunch break, or that quiet moment before the evening dog walk.

Cricket leads. Gizmo is giving chase. Izzy and Frida Bonita are holding their places, and Nubby has a chance to build momentum. But behind them is a whole field of hopefuls, from Potato to Molly, waiting for their people to show up.

Visit EdentonSocialLight.com/dog-of-the-week and cast your vote.

Then come back tomorrow and do it again.

This is your Edenton Social Light Top Dog update. Give your favorite a vote—and give that good dog a pat from us.