Maria and Starsky with Michael and Katelyn from Manchester Animal Shelter
Merrimack County Savings Bank (The Merrimack) announces Starsky as the winner of the 5th Annual Dog Days of Summer pet photo contest. Out of the top five finalists, Starsky received the most “likes” on Instagram, earning the $500 cash prize and a $500 donation to their local animal rescue nonprofit of choice, Friends of the Manchester Animal Shelter.
“We’re so grateful for all the love Starsky received and the chance to give back to a local animal shelter,” said Maria Gibeau, Starsky’s owner. “This contest was a fun way to show off our pets while bringing attention to organizations doing important work in our community.”
To enter, participants shared photographs of their pet(s) wearing The Merrimack’s branded bandana. After a round of internal voting, the top five went up for public vote on The Merrimack’s official Instagram page (@merrimackstyle). Each vote helped campaign for a local animal rescue to receive a matching donation.
The 2026 Dog Days of Summer finalists included:
- Bella, an 8-year-old mixed breed, supporting Pope Memorial SPCA of Concord
- Bleu Cheese, a 2-year-old Hound/Terrier mix, supporting Pope Memorial SPCA of Concord
- Rook, a 10-week-old American Akita, supporting Live and Let Live Farm
- Ryder, a 2-year-old Micro Pitbull/Bulldog mix, supporting Darbster Doggy
To view this year’s finalists and learn about future contests and events, follow us on Instagram and Facebook.