Doggie smiles contest promotes pet oral hygiene

OMAHA, Neb. — Sergeant's Pet Care Products, an Omaha, Neb.-based manufacturer of pet products, engaged shoppers while promoting good oral hygiene for pets with its national Sentry Petrodex Superstar Smiles photo contest, sponsored by the company’s Sentry Petrodex dental brand.

Three-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever Flash took the top prize.

"He is very smart and affectionate. A total 'people person'," said his owner, Amanda, who lives with Flash in San Diego, Calif. "One of the tricks he made his own was a love for closing refrigerator, cupboard and home doors. Flash and our 20-month-old son are attached at the hip and are always keeping each other entertained and in trouble."

Flash is also an international canine. He was born in Queensland, Australia, and moved with his family to the United States last year. While in Australia, Flash enjoyed going to the Outback, participating in animal charity walks and swimming in the tropical Queensland waters. He has a fan base there that still sends him toys and treats. But according to his owner, he's settled into his California life well.

As the contest's Grand Prize winner, Flash's owner received a Canon EOS Digital Rebel T3 Digital SLR Camera Kit and a variety of Sentry Petrodex pet dental care products. Radio personality and pet enthusiast Steve Dale served as the celebrity judge of the nationwide contest, which received nearly 2,000 photo entries in just four weeks.

"The competition was fierce, and choosing the winner from the five finalists was a tough one," Dale stated. "I just kept going back to Flash's expression and his happiness, which radiated through the photo. His star quality is strong, and from his smile and healthy teeth, it's clear that his owner is taking care of him well!"

"The Sentry Petrodex contest is becoming a tradition now, and we always receive so many photos of beautiful dogs," said Patsy Sumner, VP of marketing services at Sergeant's. "It is touching for those of us who work in the pet products industry to see how these products benefit pets. Congratulations to Flash. We wish him happiness and dental health for many years to come."

Sergeant's Pet Care Products is part of the Perrigo Company, a leading global manufacturer of OTC healthcare products. Sergeant's also manufactures flea and tick treatments, health and well-being solutions and treats for dogs and cats, all of which are available at grocery, mass, dollar, drug and club retailers.