Photo: Florida LotteryA Florida man has hit the lottery — and he’s giving his pregnant dog Ivy credit for his good fortune.Leonard Linton, 42, of Pinetta, “received a call that Ivy was not feeling well” on the day he purchased his winning ticket, Florida Lottery officials said inpress release.“To get to her as quickly as possible, Linton took a different route home,” lottery officials explained.That different route included a quick visit to the Stop & Shop on Howard Street in Live Oak, where Linton purchased a $10 “100X THE CASH” scratch-off game. To his surprise, he won the $2 million grand prize.“I still can’t believe it,” Linton told the Lottery, adding, “This is life-changing.“Linton claimed a one-time, lump-sum payment of $1,645,000 at the Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee on Monday, per the Lottery’s press release.The Lottery shareda photo on Twitterof Linton smiling ear-to-ear while cradling his pup as he posed with his check.When asked what he would do with the money, the Madison County man said, “I’m definitely getting Ivy a new kennel!“The Stop & Shop in Live Oak “will receive a $4,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket,” according to Monday’s press release.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Launched in January, the “100X THE CASH” scratch-off offers a chance to win one of eight $2 million prizes, one of which Linton has won, according to the Lottery. More than $337.9 million is available in cash prizes through the game.
Photo: Florida Lottery

A Florida man has hit the lottery — and he’s giving his pregnant dog Ivy credit for his good fortune.Leonard Linton, 42, of Pinetta, “received a call that Ivy was not feeling well” on the day he purchased his winning ticket, Florida Lottery officials said inpress release.“To get to her as quickly as possible, Linton took a different route home,” lottery officials explained.That different route included a quick visit to the Stop & Shop on Howard Street in Live Oak, where Linton purchased a $10 “100X THE CASH” scratch-off game. To his surprise, he won the $2 million grand prize.“I still can’t believe it,” Linton told the Lottery, adding, “This is life-changing.“Linton claimed a one-time, lump-sum payment of $1,645,000 at the Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee on Monday, per the Lottery’s press release.The Lottery shareda photo on Twitterof Linton smiling ear-to-ear while cradling his pup as he posed with his check.When asked what he would do with the money, the Madison County man said, “I’m definitely getting Ivy a new kennel!“The Stop & Shop in Live Oak “will receive a $4,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket,” according to Monday’s press release.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Launched in January, the “100X THE CASH” scratch-off offers a chance to win one of eight $2 million prizes, one of which Linton has won, according to the Lottery. More than $337.9 million is available in cash prizes through the game.
A Florida man has hit the lottery — and he’s giving his pregnant dog Ivy credit for his good fortune.
Leonard Linton, 42, of Pinetta, “received a call that Ivy was not feeling well” on the day he purchased his winning ticket, Florida Lottery officials said inpress release.
“To get to her as quickly as possible, Linton took a different route home,” lottery officials explained.
That different route included a quick visit to the Stop & Shop on Howard Street in Live Oak, where Linton purchased a $10 “100X THE CASH” scratch-off game. To his surprise, he won the $2 million grand prize.
“I still can’t believe it,” Linton told the Lottery, adding, “This is life-changing.”
Linton claimed a one-time, lump-sum payment of $1,645,000 at the Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee on Monday, per the Lottery’s press release.
The Lottery shareda photo on Twitterof Linton smiling ear-to-ear while cradling his pup as he posed with his check.
When asked what he would do with the money, the Madison County man said, “I’m definitely getting Ivy a new kennel!”
The Stop & Shop in Live Oak “will receive a $4,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket,” according to Monday’s press release.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Launched in January, the “100X THE CASH” scratch-off offers a chance to win one of eight $2 million prizes, one of which Linton has won, according to the Lottery. More than $337.9 million is available in cash prizes through the game.
source: people.com