Savannah’s ‘Ermajean’, the rescued Boston Terrier, ranks top 20 in America’s Favorite Pet 2024 competition

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — A local Boston Terrier has turned a life of neglect into national respect — After being rescued from a hoarding case in July 2023, ‘Ermie,’ has locked in her spot as one of America’s Favorite Pet 2024’s top 20 finalists.

This pint-sized powerhouse of a pup is hoping to claim $10,000 for her adoptive parents along with a coveted spot on the cover of Modern Dog magazine.

Ermie came from conditions that officials described as “unlivable” along with 25 other animals consisting of mainly Boston Terriers, Pugs, and Bully breed mixes. For the majority of their lives, it is believed that the animals lived outside with little to no veterinary care. Leaders of one of the organizations involved, Renegade Paws Rescue, said it was likely that the animals were a product of a puppy mill that got out of hand when the elderly owners could no longer provide adequate care for the large number of pets living inside and outside the home.

Among the medical issues related to years of neglect was heartworm disease. In fact, 23 out of those 25 animals on the property would be positive for the potentially deadly parasites.

According to previous foster mom and current owner Sam Thayer, “What makes Ermajean special is that she somehow, given everything she’s survived from a very young age—she still has so much love and trust for human beings.”

Ermie also didn’t have a traditional adoption experience. Affectionaly known as a “foster fail,” Ermajeans’s parents were so smitten with her while they were fostering the tiny terrier that they could not let her go and wound up signing the adoption papers after only a few short months of having her as a houseguest. Now, Ermie spends her day stealing toys from her two furry siblings, loving every human being in sight and overcoming the odds to become a permanent member of her family.

Want to see Ermajean crowned as queen? Cast your vote for America’s Favorite Pet 2024 here.