By Jeff Devine, Editor-in-Chief, Dale County Chronicle
There are superstars right here in Dale County, as it turns out. A Dale County woman’s rescued cat is turning heads and winning hearts in a national competition to become the next feline featured on the cover of Modern Cat Magazine, which comes with a whopping $10,000 prize. The cat, Lola, is only one step away from first place in the national competition.
The cat, currently in second place, has captured attention not just for her photogenic charm but for her playful personality and inspiring story. According to her pet parent, Crystal Hardison of Ozark, Lola loves all toys: from boxes and strings to a remote control mouse, and has a particular weakness for chicken-flavored Churu treats.
“She’s the perfect cat,” Hardson shared. “She’s very loving and sweet, silly and playful. She’s always happy, gets zoomies multiple times a day, and is absolutely hilarious. We laugh every day just watching her play.”
Her journey to fame began over a year ago when she was found near her new parents’ home, abandoned and in poor condition. “She was hiding under my car, scared, emaciated, and infested with fleas and worms,” Hardison recalled. “For months, she would flinch when we tried to pet her. But despite everything, she doesn’t have a mean bone in her body. She’s full of joy and love.”
The contest asks participants why their cat should be named “America’s Favorite,” and the answer from this Dale County resident is as heartwarming as it is humorous. “Everyone loves a good laugh, and anyone who watches her zoom around will fall in love instantly,” she said.
With thousands of entries from across the country, the competition is fierce. Fans can vote online to help this playful, resilient cat capture the top spot and the $10,000 prize, as well as the honor of gracing the pages of a prominent national magazine and representing Dale County on the national level.
For those in Dale County and beyond, this feline finalist is already a winner in the hearts of everyone who meets her, proving that sometimes, the most remarkable stars have four paws and a tail.
If you would like to vote for Lola to win this competition, visit the following link and follow the direction provided on that page: https://americasfavpet.com/2026/lola-68a2
