Okay so some of you are probably going to read this and think I’m going psychotic…others…my more spiritual readers, well you will probably tear up at the spiritual aspect of this story as I have been doing all day long.

Last night around 8 p.m. I broke down in tears because the tuft of Theodore’s fur the vet gave me lost its smell — I could no longer smell my beloved cat from the small tuft. I was devastated.

I suffer from insomnia – some nights worse than others. Last night was a BAD night. At 5:55 a.m., I suddenly awoke from a very light sleep to feel a cat walking/pacing back and forth across the foot of my bed, walking over my feet to and fro the sides of the bed. I wondered why Sasha was up at this time and not in her usual spot: two feet away from my head at the head of the right side of the bed. I felt the cat walking over my feet and picked my head up..

Sasha was sound asleep right next to me.

It was Theodore’s spirit visiting me on one of my worst nights. The walking stopped as I picked my head up and then I felt a hard pressure on my left palm — Theodore used to nudge my hand quite hard when he wanted head scritchies.

This actually freaked me out a little so I turned the TV on for some light, and then I saw them — paw print impressions on the cashmere blanket at the end of my bed…

I immediately knew it was Theodore – and I knew it was him telling me that he is okay now and not in pain – and that he is still waiting for me. Although I was freaked out (I have NEVER experienced anything remotely close to a human or animal spirit visit), I told Theodore to rest and that I love him and not to nudge my hands anymore because that scared me. (I kept the TV on til I awoke at 10 a.m. this morning). I’m actually considering calling a pet psychic to see if they can tell if his spirit or whatever is in my room — is that me going crazy or what?!!?

What do you all think???

We all know Valentine’s is for lovers – and this year, it’s for pet lovers, too. Your readers can celebrate the holiday by giving pets special Valentine’s Day gifts or helping a homeless pet find love during the PetSmart Charities Second Chance for Love National Adoption Weekend this February 12-14 in all 1,149 PetSmart stores in the United States and Canada.

With a goal of finding homes for 16,100 dogs, cats and small animals, PetSmart expects more than 2,000 animal-welfare agencies throughout North America to participate.

During the last 14 years, the PetSmart Charities Adoption Centers have found homes for more than 4 million pets. For every minute that the Adoption Centers are open, one pet’s life is saved. (Please see below for additional adoption details.)

Adopt a new pet and receive:

- Free 4-5 lb. bag of Science Diet® pet food*

- Coupon for $7 off Science Diet® dog and cat food

- The Guide for Lifelong Health (a $30 value)

- Valuable coupons and samples

If you already have a four-legged Valentine, make sure to show your loved one some extra attention. This Valentine’s, PetSmart is offering unique gifts such as Valentine tanks and plush and loofa dog toys featuring hearts and sweet messages.

ABOUT THE SECOND CHANCE FOR LOVE NATIONAL ADOPTION WEEKEND:
Prospective adopters are encouraged to visit the PetSmart Charities’ Adoption Center inside any PetSmart® store in the U.S. and Canada from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, February 12 and Saturday, February 13; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, February 14. Adoptions are handled by participating animal-welfare groups. Call a PetSmart® store near you to find out about a specific agency’s set-up time during the three-day event. To find the PetSmart Charities’ Adoption Center nearest you, visit www.PetSmart.com or call 1-877-473-8762.

These are pictures of Fenris, one of the December dog photo contest winners. He has the blog Alasandra, the cats and a dog.

Here he is enjoying his new toys and treats from the prize package we at ThoughtsFurPaws sent to him for winning one of three places in the photo contest.

Enjoy all the pictures at the link below (this post only has a select few): http://www.flickr.com/photos/alasandra/sets/72157623298394290/

Fenris and Stuffies

Fenris and Prize Package

Fenris and New Toys

Fenris Roaching With Toys

Okay, now for the continuation of the funny pet and animal pictures post from earlier this week, here we go! Enjoy:)

Hi everyone,

Well after battling pneomonia, mono, sinus infection and bronchitis, Mom is finally on the road to recovery and we are so excited to be posting again! We have missed all of you SO SO much!

Even though it’s not Fun Friday, Mom wanted to post these funny pet pictures to let you know how happy she is to be back (the rest we’ll post on Fun Friday!)

We can’t wait to visit everyone this week, and hope to hear from you soon:)

Thanks to dedicated reader Hayley Tarling for this email of cute pet pictures…

It seems more holiday pet tips are coming my way from all differnt directions, so I thought I’d post this one too. This one is about some great holiday pet gift ideas that are nice and easy. It’s from my good friend John at Guideposts.com.

Here are 5 purr-fect budget friendly gift ideas for your pets:
http://www.guideposts.com/story/presents-pets-christmas
1. Buy a great toy: Check out the environmentally-friendly toys at your local pet store, or online. Or go even more simple. A bucket of old tennis balls makes Kelly happy. Try making a toy yourself. If you can sew, create a simple stuffed teddy bear for your pup. Tie a feather or pompon to the end of a string for your kitty. Get creative!
2. Cook  Something Yummy: Find a recipe for healthy dog treats. Try this dog carsomething yummy:rot cake recipe from Sharon Azar’s WOOF! blog or Editor-in-chief Edward Grinnan’s dog food recipe.
3. Frame a picture: For your animal-loving friends and family, frame a special picture of their pet, or create a small scrapbook or brag book. If you’re handy with the computer, print up stationary or note cards, with the pet’s picture in the corner.
4. Make pet books and calendars: Pet lovers will never grow tired of reading about their best friends, and there are so many great options: fiction, memoirs, how-to, and great true animal stories. (Check out Guideposts’ own Their Mysterious Ways) Page-a-day or monthly pet calendars make great gifts, too.

5. Give your time: What’s the best gift to give a pet? Your time! Get down on the floor and play, maybe even invent a new game with your dog or cat. Relish time to just cuddle. Kelly and I like to get wrapped up in a blanket. For your pet-owning friends, offer dog walking or pet-sitting. Or help more pets by donating time or money to a local animal shelter.

(Next one added by me, yours truly….I couldn’t help it)

6. Volunteer. I think that we should all get out and volunteer for an animal charity this holiday season, whether by being at adoption events, writing letters, or answering phones, go into your local pet charity and see how you can help this season!

 
Happy holidays!

I still have so many more content pictures to post, so I’m going to post the remainder of them in three posts today — this is the third, scroll down for the other two, and then I’m going to move back the winner announcement date to tomorrow, Dec 15th, so you guys can comment and tell me who you think is cutest today!! Make sure you go through all three posts today, plus the other ones from the past couple weeks for the December doggie photo contest!

Riley

Unknown Boxers...

Pheobie

Kasper

Steve

Fenris

Bentley

The "Six Pack"

Ollie

I still have so many more content pictures to post, so I’m going to post the remainder of them in three posts today, and then move back the winner announcement date to tomorrow, Dec. 15th,  so you guys can comment and tell me who you think is cutest today!! Make sure you go through all three posts today, plus the other ones for the December doggie photo contest!

Javelin

Myles

Aspen

Cody Bear

Don Vito

Unknown Name

Name Unknown

Ziggy

Molokai

Here are some additional entries for the December dog photo contest that I’ve received over the last week or so. Here’s a link to the first round of dog pictures posted (http://thoughtsfurpaws.com/dogs/fun-friday-dog-photo-contest-entries/) 

Enjoy all the cute dog pictures everyone, and don’t forget to let me know who you think is cutest in the Comments section!

Shilo and Shasta

Shilo anb Shasta II

Rush

Another Dakota

Another Dakota II

Baxter

Scout

The Famous 4 B's

Delaney - over the Bridge a month ago...

TJ

Of  course my Uncle had to bring his new Golden Retreiver puppy Howard to the Thanksgiving feast yesterday. I first introduced you all to Howard on the blog before Halloween. He is growing up so quick – he’s 33 pounds already and is a total maniac! I desperately wanted to steal him from my Uncle but no change of that happening…

 Man was it hard to get a STILL shot of him, he’s gets the zooms ALL THE TIME, and is constantly running, playing bitey-face with whatver is in front of him, and just plain being a menace. But he’s the damn cutest Golden Retriever menace I’ve ever seen. So “here’s Howie…!!!”

Front View of Howie

Bitey-facing my sister

Here's my toy! Look!!

Bitey-face AGAIN

Chewing away...

Greetings! Wag, Wag, Wag

Mouth open - insert toy

Pooped out after playtime, FINALLY!

Chewing Away...

Hi! I'm Howie! Wag, Wag, Wag