JOSEPHINE, Ala. — After months of campaigning, the polls were closed on Saturday. The elected winner: a snuggly, brown and black spotted candidate named Ginger with 1,683 votes. This victory marks Ginger as the 50th “Dog of the month” at Pirate’s Cove in Josephine.

“It all started in the summer of ‘04 by just posting a dog of the month,” coordinator Mike Healy said. “I thought people would get sick of it, but it just kept getting bigger and more popular.”

Upon realizing October would be the 50th dog of the month, Healy decided to make a contest out of it. Pirate’s Cove patrons were able to vote for one of the six dogs — and one cat — by making a donation of any denomination to B.A.R.C., a nonprofit animal organization.

“Most people would donate a dollar or five dollars,” he said. “But we even got one for a $100,”

The election was treated by residents as any other. A smear campaign was launched against one candidate for being a “know cat-killer.” There were also allegations of hanging chads, and ballot box depletion.

“We had to take the election seriously so that it would be fair and upstanding for all those involved. Just like we do in the humansphere we had to do it in the caninesphere,” Healy said.

In celebration of the election’s end, the cove put on a dog olympics comprised of three events for the trained canine: the water sprint, dock diving and a hamburger eating contest.

Thomas Schlinkert’s black lab, Josie, was the clear winner taking gold in the dock dive and water sprint.

“She’s an athlete,” Schlinkert said. “She lives on the water and is always running in it jumping in it, playing with anyone who will give her the time. She has what I like to call constant training. She’s the Michael Phelps of B.A.R.C.”

While Josie received a 8.2 for her dock dive and completed the 166 ft. water sprint in 22 seconds, she placed second in the hamburger eating contest.

“I don’t give her human food ever,” Schlinkert said. “So right when it started she looked at me funny like ‘are you sure I can have this?’ After I nodded she just wolfed it down. She will be back next year to compete again.”

While intense training sessions and campaign agendas took place during these events, the ultimate outcome was a success. The election raised $3,493 for B.A.R.C. The olympics raised an additional $130 in registration fees.

B.A.R.C, hopes to produce a DVD of the event for purchase at a later date.