From Rescue Dog to Top Dog: Duke Wins Over Roselle Park

ROSELLE PARK, NJ — Every town has its mayor, its regulars and its local legends. In Roselle Park, one of them answers to Duke.A true community effort, from all around the borough, resulted in Duke being named as just one of 18 dogs selected for the New Jersey Lottery's “Jersey's Top Dogs” contest. Duke is now featured on the first-ever “Jersey Dog” scratch-off ticket.Getting Duke to that point was truly a community effort.Duke is owned by local residents Alicia and Christopher Marino. There were signs all around the borough that said “Vote for Duke." Students at Roselle Park High School, where his human brother teaches and mom Alicia works, were behind the effort and cheerleaders incorporated a “Vote for Duke” chant into Friday night football games.“The whole town truly came together and really made it happen,” the Marinos shared in a news release shared with TAPinto Roselle Park. “It was really exciting.”Duke is known around his neighborhood for sitting in the Marino's large bay window. When he's not there, he relaxes in his bone-shaped doggie pool and enjoys belly rubs.Duke made his first national TV appearance in 2022, appearing on an episode of America's Funniest Home Videos, while he was chasing a squirrel. The Marinos describe Duke chasing squirrels around the yard as “practically an Olympic event.”Seven years ago, Duke was rescued by a New Jersey-based rescue organization from a kill shelter in kentucky with only one day left. He was brought north and then found the Marinos.“The love and happiness Duke has brought to our world the last seven years is unmatched,” the family said. “We could not imagine him not being a part of our family.”