TOMAHAWK – A local dog has been named the ambassador for Wisconsin Public Service (WPS)’s 2026 safe digging campaign.
WPS last week announced that Tomahawk pup Ruby is this year’s “ambassadog.”
“Diamonds, sapphires and emeralds have their place, but the new queen of safe digging prefers red at the center of her jewelry case,” WPS said in a release.
Ruby, a one-and-a-half-year-old cream golden retriever, will spend the next year reminding the public to contact 811 at least three days before starting any digging project. She was also featured on digital billboards across northeast and northcentral Wisconsin on Tuesday, Aug. 11 (8/11), National Safe Digging Day.
WPS said customers and dog lovers alike voted more than 13,000 times for the 10 finalists in this year’s safe digging ambassadog contest. Dogs from Merrill, Rhinelander, Wausau, Green Bay, Maribel, Pulaski and Stevens Point joined Ruby as finalists.
“Ruby captured the hearts of people across northeast and northcentral Wisconsin, earning 60% of the pup-ular vote,” WPS stated.
Ruby has been a precious gem of a pup long before she became the top dog of safe digging, WPS said.
“When her family was looking to add a dog, Ruby wasn’t shy about tumbling around or showing her affection during a meeting with them,” WPS stated. “Her family quickly fell in love with Ruby’s playful nature, deciding to bring her home as their first-ever dog.”
Ruby is an outdoor dog to her core, WPS noted – her favorite spots to dig are the beach in the summer and in the snow during the winter. When she’s not digging, she loves to swim, play with her human siblings and watch birds at her home.
WPS is reminding the public to look for Ruby’s important reminder about contacting 811 on WPS’s social media channels all year long.
“Whether you’re planting a garden or installing a fence, it’s important to have the location of underground utilities marked to keep yourself and your family safe,” WPS said. “Calling 811 or notifying Diggers Hotline is easy, it’s free, and it’s the law.”
Ruby is the second local canine to be named the ambassador for WPS’s annual safe digging campaign. Tomahawk pup Arlo was the 2024 ambassadog.
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