Dixie, held by owner Oksana Mizer, a fifth-grader at Marion Local, was named Mercer County's Top Dog this week. The pomeranian was adopted from the Companion Animal Association in Indianapolis, Ind., and Mizer wrote in an essay that her dog "goes to local nursing homes with my mom and dad and shakes hands with the residents and listens quietly to church-service prayers - often crossing her front paws." Mizer is the daughter of Paul and Penny Mizer. Mercer County Auditor Mark Giesige sponsors the Top Dog essay contest each year to promote the importance of getting dog tags. The deadline for purchasing dog tags for 2008 is Jan. 31. For Mizer's winning essay, she will receive the No. 1 dog tag in the county for Dixie, gift certificates and dog food. Placing second, pictured at right, is Danielle Brunswick, the daughter of Daniel and Tama Brunswick of Fort Recovery. Third-place winner is Beth Garwood, the daughter of Mike and Becky Garwood of Celina.