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Valentine’s Day Dog Picture Contest: Dog Photo Entries-Part II

Posted on February 7th, 2012

Here is the second part of the posting for the Valentine’s Day Dog Photo Contest

♥ ♥ Please see the first entries here (along withe the RULES THAT MUST BE FOLLOWED)! ♥ ♥

1. Abby and Service Dog Olivia

♥ ♥ You can read the Contest Announcement post here ;-) ♥ ♥

 

* And you can read the corresponding story for each picture in this post; pictures have numbers in the caption – check the number in the  content to read that cute or funny or heart-warming Valentine’s dog picture story! *

 

— *** —         — *** —-

 

2. Donna and Service Dog Sawyer

1. Abby and Service Dog Olivia:Here is a photo of me & my service dog, Olivia. I love the way she naturally posed next to me with our faces touching. When I look at this photo I see love and enjoyment in both our faces. This photo was taken Mother’s Day 2011 in Florida. It was one of the best days we have had in a long time….my sister lives in RI & I live in FL along w/ our parents. Our mother didn’t know of any Mother’s Day plans that year… I told her I needed something at her house & would be stopping by. When the door opened my mom said  “Hi Abby!” It took about 2 minutes for her to realize that it was my sister, Heather, standing in the living room. Surprise!! She was crying & squeezing my sister. We took this photo aboard a Water Taxi.

3. Dudley the Coton du Tulear

Olivia provides medical assistance for me & has given much independence & freedom to me. You know I don’t like getting old, but as we do, it’s nice to know we can do wonderful things for the Mom that put so much love and dedication into raising us..

Comment – BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE to a Mother… mine is my hero, too!

 

2. Donna and Service Dog Sawyer:My name is Donna I’m 42 years old and — I have Muscular Dystrophy, and am confined to a wheelchair.  My best friend is my handsome Blonde-Golden Retriever service dog Sawyer. I don’t know  how I ever made it without Sawyer. He can alert if I have a seizures, he turns my lights on and off, he opens and closes doors for me, he picks up things if I drop them, he can even dial 911. My husband says Sawyer watches me at night while I’m sleeping; he wakes us up if I’m breathing shallow. He changed my life forever; I

4. Sadie Getting Her Nails Painted

can go places and do things & never be afraid that there will be no one to help me if I need assistance. Even small things like pushing my arm back up on my arm rest with his nose, It’s like he just knows what I need him to do. You don’t get to pick your service dog, the dog has to pick you… Sawyer picked me and we bonded instantly.

Comment: OK, let me stop crying now!

 

3. Dudley the Coton de Tulear:Dudley the Coton de Tulear has been in our family for one year. He is pure love! His smile lights up the room. My husband has just gotten home, and he was so glad to see him!

5. Kash and Jesse

 

4. Gabriela Painting Sadie’s Nails: Sadie our 3-year-old Rottweiler gets her nails painted for Valentines – a beautiful hot pink – by my 10-year-old daughter Gabriela! We thought this picture was Valentines worthy since she doesn’t really like her feet touched!!

 

5. Kash and Jesse:This pic was taken by my sister, Michelle – it was just before Christmas and the red you see behind the dogs is a red tree skirt. Kash (female) is on the left and Jesse (male) is on the right. We adopted Kash from a local shelter here in Dallas; she was found with a puppy and since puppies are more likely to get adopted out we choose her. She

6. Lola

was only $25! She already had her ears clipped. Jesse and Kash get along very well and love each other as boyfriend and girlfriend.

Facebook question to Jennifer (owner): I don’t understand why you said you took her since puppies are more likely to get adopted…? Wouldn’t that make you want to take a dog that’s a bit older…? I mean no offense, I just don’t understand the explanation I guess…

 

6. Lola:This is Lola, she’s been the light of my life every since I lost my Border Collie to cancer back in 2010. We have the same birthday (Feb 7th) and I received her on my birthday. She will be 3 this year, and she’s such a blessing who has mended a broken heart.

7. Scout

Comment: HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRLS!

7. Scout: W-xoxo-f!… My beautiful Westie, ‘Scout,’ who has the biggest heart and loves everyone! Scout will share his prize with our local APL.. wxoxof! Thank you and blessings!

 

8. Tygeta

8. Tygeta in Her Condo!: This is my perfect little girl Taygeta [sic] in her condo. Tayeta [sic] was named after a star because she has brought such a bright shining light in to [sic] my life. I am sick & she has brought such joy to me it is amazing but all my dogs have! Tata is her (nickname) is  a angel in every way and is  always a winner even if she doesn’t win the contest! She will always be a winner in my eyes; she is treated like a princess and always will be along with the rest of my furry kids! Only a animal will love you for who you truly are.

Dog Picture Entries: Valentine’s Day Doggie Photo Contest

Posted on February 4th, 2012

So, for the Valentine’s Day Doggie Photo Contesthere are the entries (first round). ( See announcement post HERE.)

And, more importantly – here are the RULES for the Valentine’s Day Dog Photo Contest - please read carefully or you will not be qualified!

** CONTEST RUNS NOW thru Feb. 13th, 6 pm EST. The last entrants will be posted Feb 13th (evening) or Feb 14th; you are highly encouraged to get your cute dog pictures in early because voting ends February 18.

Winners will be announced the night of the 18th or on the 19th some time… Prizes will be coming from Spring Naturals, Stella and Chewy’s, Lickety Stik, PetSmart and more :)

♥ Please send a dog picture accompanied by a brief story about the dog, explaining why he/she should win, why you chose this particular photo, etc.

It should obviously be one of your funnier/cuter dog photos 

RULES:

 

1. No more than two votes per person (per email address if you email your vote or per name/email if you comment your vote in).

2. If you leave a fake email address on your comment to try to stuff comment voting, your vote will not be counted.

3. No more than three persons PER IP ADDRESS and I will test the emails.

YOU MUST ENTER A DOG – BUT IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE YOUR DOG - please see numbers 7 and 9 in this post and then tell me what YOU think of this rule...  At ThoughtsFurPaws.com, readers RULE; so it’s up to you guys. The Admins and I will also weigh in before the next post and leave a message after we get some COMMENT VOTES!!! (See next two points on voting please!)

4. No voting on Facebook — send your readers HERE to vote in comment. You can post this post on FB – but VOTES on FB won’t count because not everyone has an account there…

5. Remember: Readers can vote by emailing two votes per email address to thoughtsfurpaws@gmail.com or by commenting on THIS POST or the ANNOUNCEMENT POST HERE

Please check out the pix below and the stories included therein – each cute dog picture has a number and a corresponding story

1. AVA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. BAILEY

 

 

 

 

 

3. CHANCE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. FENRIS

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. GEORGIA

 

 

 

 

 

6. JACKSON

 

 

 

7. JAKE

 

 

 

 

 

8. LIBBYLU and MAX

 

 

 

9. MARIA and TACO

 

1.AVA: Ava, the Italian Greyhound, is the ultimate snuggle bug and loves nothing more than to be burrowed under covers, sleeping. This picture nails her personality so perfectly. She pops her head out of her ‘nest’ every so often to make sure she approves of what is going on around the house, and then snuggles back in.

 

2. BAILEY: This is a favorite photo because the three teddy bears are Bailey’s cuddle mates & he seemed delighted to have them get dressed up for Valentine’s Day for photos with him. Bailey wishes everyone a happy holiday!

 

3.  CHANCE: Chance was tied to a train track and hit by a couple of trains, so he has some back end damage and has to wear a diaper. We were going to a Blessing of the Animals event and my friend Rod didn’t want Chance to be embarrassed so he dressed him up. (Which probably embarrassed him more but he looks so darned cute, who cares!)

10. CALVIN

 

4. FENRIS:  I love this picture of Fenris because he looks so happy. He is a true treasure and such a good dog. I think the cats would even agree that he is a good doggie… After all, he doesn’t chase them and he will even let them eat dry food out of his bowl. Surely you can’t fault him for being unwilling to share the canned dog food :)

 

5. GEORGIA: This pretty girl was a Father’s Day gift for my husband – AND SHE HAS ALREADY MADE THE COVER OF A MAGAZINE! (She was on XXX – see 2nd pic at bottom). Georgia’s Mom didn’t want her at first but realized after taking her friend to multiple 8-hour chemo sessions how wonderful animals are and how helpful they can be :) (Ahem, hello Sasha!)

 

5. GEORGIA on Country Roads Magazine

11. OLIVER

6. JACKSON:  Jackson, a Spaniel mix, is “my playful boy who loves nothing more than to be outside running around in the cold!” This picture was taken at the dog park on one of the coldest days of the year. I was in several layers of clothes and still freezing, and Jackson was totally in his element. I swear, he must be part Siberian Husky!

 

7. JAKE: Jake He 9-years-old and the “best dog I’ve ever seen.”  He is so pleasant and well-behaved.  He likes to sit outside but this day it was cold so his owner puts out a mattress, a pillow and a blanket for him.  He doesn’t even have a leash.  He does not go past the yard.  The entrant said she “just had to take a picture: so I don’t think Jake can win since the entrant doesn’t own a dog. However, Jake did just sit there and pose; and since he is so nice, if you would like to vote for him, we can send the prize to his neighbor and she can take his winnings to him. Let me know what you all think.

 

8. “LIBBYLU” and MAX: Both rescued from Wisconsin shelters over three years ago… these Golden Retrievers are well-loved by their families and now enjoy the life of spoiled dogs  instead of being behind a cage…

 

9. MARIA and TACO: Maria, and her dog Taco Bell, are inseparable and go everywhere together. Maria is a professional Salsa dancer in Southwest Florida and Taco Bell has been the designated mascot for her dance troupe for 3 years now! In their spare time, Maria & Taco like to sunbathe in the hammock under palm trees and walk along Ft. Myers beaches.

 

10. CALVIN: This is my furry Valentine Calvin, the love of my life. He was born with a heart defect, but will soon undergo surgery to repair his tiny heart, so Valentine’s Day is special for us. There is no guarantee that he will survive the risky surgery, but without it he has no chance at all. I take many pics of Calvin but this is one of my favorites.  Calvin was a little cold at an outdoor event, so he wrapped himself up in his special blanket! His personality is just as it appears in the photo, sweet and innocent with a side of mischief.  I am thankful every day that this puppy came into my life.  He has taught me so much about unconditional love and never losing hope.

 

11. OLIVER: Introducing Oliver: he is a 5-year-old Wire-Haired Dachshund who is a natural “ham!” He is wonderful in every way. Children and adults alike are always smiling when He is around. Oliver is just a happy, charismatic pup, very much loved by his family!

REMEMBER READERS and VOTERS:

The RULES for the Valentine’s Day Dog Photo Contest  must be followed or you could be disqualified (I am accusing no one of anything illegal contest-wise , but people HAVE tried to take advantage in the past b/c ThoughtsFurPaws is inherently known for its CRAZY-GOOD prize packages:))

CONTEST RUNS NOW thru Feb. 13th, 6 pm EST.

♥ Please send a dog picture accompanied by a brief story about the dog, explaining why he/she should win, why you chose this particular photo, etc. It should obviously be one of your funnier/cuter dog photos  ♥

1. No more than two votes per person (per email address if you email your vote or per name/email if you comment your vote in).

2. If you leave a fake email address on your comment to try to stuff comment voting, your vote will not be counted.

3. No more than three persons PER IP ADDRESS – and we WILL be testing emails.

4. YOU MUST ENTER A DOG – BUT IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE YOUR DOG - please see numbers 7 and 9 in this post and then tell me what YOU think of this rule...  At ThoughtsFurPaws.com, readers RULE; so it’s up to you guys but the Admins and I will also make a decision before the next post and leave a comment after we get some COMMENT VOTES!!! (See next two points on voting please!)

5. No voting on Facebook — send your readers HERE to vote in comment.

6. Readers can vote by emailing two votes per email address to thoughtsfurpaws@gmail.com.

See original Announcement post from a couple days ago here.

And get your entries in fast :)

  ♥ ♥  ♥ ♥  ♥ ♥   ♥ ♥

 

Eukanuba 28-Day Challenge Wrap-Up: We ARE BELIEVERS and BUYERS Forever!

Posted on February 3rd, 2012

Thank you so so much to all the kind folks at Eukanuba and Dogtime Media who were able to get Franklin and Henry into the 28-Day Challenge, first of all…

Second, we knew going in that Proctor and Gamble Pet Care Division has an awesome reputation – our kittehs eat only IAMS wet and dry food and eat health treats too.

However… we are eternally grateful because we have seen such an amazing change in the exterior and the temperament of both our precious pooches, Franklin and Henry, with the Eukanuba formulas they are on. Eukanuba asked me to, in 100 words or less, to sum up the best part. Here’s my word-for-word answer:

100 words or less is tough for me, but here goes… Franklin and Henry were never just “good” dogs; they have always been extraordinary. Their health, on the other hand, WAS NOT.

However, as of now:

-          Franklin and Henry are going “number two” three times a day — regularly

-          Their coats are super-shiny

-          Their breath is fresher

-          Their teeth are cleaner

-          They have adapted so well to the food that they eat slower and enjoy it!

Considering they are seriously picky eaters and that Bassets are inherent with problems when not bred right (and that Frank is a former puppy mill stud), this is all fantastic news.

Are you planning to feed your dog Eukanuba moving forward?

Franklin the Former Puppy Mill Stud Dog

Yes, they absolutely love it!!! We can’t imagine going back at this point…

What was the best part of the Challenge?

The best part of the Challenge has been over the last two weeks… oh yeah – also the change in their breath and their coats! These two things are just so obvious that even neighbors (when on walks) and people/friends at dog parks have asked us what’s changed!

We saidEukanubaand have been answered in shock with SO MANY “NO WAYS!!” that it’s remarkable!! People just can’t believe a food (what I now call a SUPER FOOD for dogs) like Eukanuba’s Custom Care Joint Formula or Eukanuba Senior Maintenance Formula, which Franklin and Henry are getting respectively, can have so much of an effect! It’s like humans eating kale and almonds and avocado and mangoes or something!!! A little of this helps that part and a bit of that helps this part!! LOL! Do you know what I mean? They are getting EVERYTHING they need in one food – vitamins, minerals, supplements, and special ingredients that help their little bodies prepare for life better.

We also really love the Eukanuba 28-Day Challenge Facebook page the organization put up to document everyone else’s experiences! It’s fun to see pictures and read stories like ours!

 What did you learn about your dog from the Challenge?

We learned that they can actually eat slowly and enjoy their good; that they are smarter than they know; that they are bright-eyed and bushy-tailed no matter what time of day it is, and that they are the most extraordinary dogs and most well-loved animals in the ‘hood :) ♥ ♥

Would you recommend feeding Eukanuba to others?

♥ ♥ ABSO-FRIGGIN-LUTELY!!!!!!!!!!Any day of any week, any breed of any age. It’s our super power poodle food. (We call all dogs poodles in this family…)

And as the Hounds would say, “Baarrrrugala….!”

Announcing the Treat-Filled 2012 Valentine’s Day Doggie Contest!

Posted on January 31st, 2012

Hooray for puppy love this Valentine’s Day!

We will be having a small (for ThoughtsFurPaws) contest for the hub-a-bub heart-happy holiday; it’s being generously sponsored by the following brands: Stella and Chewy’s®, Spring Naturals™ and Lickety Stik® by PetSafe®!

This Contest Is Nothin' to Snooze About; a Previous Entrant Can Tell You!

Did you know that, according to Business Wire, pet parents are so so enamored with their special furry someones – that as many as 64% of Americans pet owners will spoil their pet with a special gift this love season? They spend as much as $15 billion dollars collectively to celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Well ThoughtsFurPaws and the aforementioned companies are happy to announce the Valentine’s Contest for Pooches for 2012!

Love to shower your pet with kisses? Then you’ll love Stella & Chewy’s® Carnivore Kisses™ Treats! These freeze-dried treats are made with only natural, premium raw meat and will perfectly compliment your pet’s diet. Every recipe is made without grains, glutens, fillers, added hormones or antibiotics, artificial preservatives and colorings. Carnivore Kisses are 100% nutritious and delicious and are available in 100% Angus Beef, 100% Chicken, 100% Duck and 100% Wild Alaskan Salmon.

Spring Naturals™ is a fresh new line of natural dinners and treats designed to nurture the health and well-being of dogs of all ages and breeds. The family of no-compromise recipes is made with real meats, whole vegetables, whole fruits and whole grains – meat, poultry or fish is always the first ingredient. Then whole chickpeas, green peas and eggs are added to offer pets a unique blend of high-quality proteins. And since these products do not contain meat, poultry or fish meals of any kind, they can be formulated without high-glycemic ingredients like corn, wheat, soy, potato starch or rice. Recently recognized by Pet Business in their 2011 Industry Recognition Awards, Spring Naturals was chosen as the year’s top pet food. Available in Whole Grain and Grain Free varieties (Organic line will arrive this March), Spring Naturals dinners and treats are made by a family-owned company in the USA.

For the pooch with model behavior here is a treat as lovely as he is. Lickety Stik® by PetSafe® is a new and innovative liquid treat for dogs that provides a healthy, all-natural snack while on-the-go. Designed with pet parents’ convenience in mind, Lickety Stik® is easy to throw into a purse or keep in your back pocket when heading out to the park or when packing for a road trip. Most importantly, dogs can’t get enough of this treat! With only 1 calorie in every 10 licks, this is a treat both consumers and their pets can feel good about. Lickety Stik® is available in three irresistible flavors – Savory Chicken, Braised Liver or Smoky Bacon. No matter your Valentine’s Day plans, Lickety Stik® is easy to pack, easy to treat and easy to fall in love with.

*** You can enter the contest by sending me a photo of your cute puppy or dog – he doesn’t have to be dressed up or doing anything silly – just send me your fave dog photo and tell me why it’s your fave and a little background behind the taking of the picture.***

 ♥ ♥ Email them to thoughtsfurpaws@gmail.com; please put “Valentine’s Day Contest” in the Subject Line. ♥ ♥

Henry and Franklin Finish 1st Week of Eukanuba 28-Day Challenge!

Posted on January 6th, 2012

Last week, Henry and Franklin started the renowned Eukanuba 28-Day Challenge; Henry is on Senior Formula and Franklin on Joint Formula.

Here is their initial post.

Here are some basic Q and A I wanted to show my readers that the generous folks at Eukanuba asked…

What was your first impression of the new packaging of the Eukanuba food?

The packaging was nothing that was out of the ordinary. I was pleased that it explained in bold big letters what type of food it was and had pointed out the positives of that specific formula. I like the bright colors of the bags, too – makes it stand out among others I think, as does the large dog picture! As a marketing professional (though not familiar with “shelf marketing”), the colors, fonts, and pictures combine to make an intriguing yet not confusing or overwhelming package.

What do you think of the ingredients of the Eukanuba formula that you received?

Henry with his new Eukanuba

 

Franklin is a former puppy mill stud and spent the first 5 years of his life in a cage in Holmes County, Ohio. This did untold damage to his joints, bones, muscle tissue, etc., particularly in his legs since the Basset by nature has such teeny legs, but Frank has especially taut joints. The Custom Care Healthy Joints Formula was what I chose for Franklin. The ingredients were the reason I chose it… The vet said we could supplement him with Glucosamine and Chondroitin, but also recommended finding a food with L-Carnitine, which helps to burn fat properly and will help Frank achieve the ideal weight, in turn, helping him maintain joint health. He is getting better and better with more exercise, but even the vet recommended a special Joint food/formula before the Challenge started to help his little legs support his behemoth Basset body!

Was there something specific that appealed to you about the Eukanuba formula that you selected for your dog?

Well, I wanted to get a senior formula for Henry because he is over 10 and is very quickly showing signs of aging. He has significantly slowed down, become even more ornery, and whinier, more needy, and definitely takes his dear old time doing absolutely anything! He has bad breath, is slow moving, has lots of tummy trouble, and bad skin problems.

I’m hoping the protein, fat, vitamins and minerals in the senior formula will enhance his appearance (skin and coat) with the private OmegaCoat® formula, which has premium levels of Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids to promote skin and coat health. We also want the food to help him have less upset tummy issues; I was turned on by the other Eukanuba “secret ingredient,” (that’s what I told Henry it was), the “FOS.” According to the site, almost 70% of your dog’s immune system is found in the digestive tract. Also, since it has “an exclusive formulation of fiber with beet pulp…” and this FOS, we hope he has less diarrhea – let’s just say it. We want solid poops, more often and more consistently. Eukanuba Senior foods also contain antioxidants so Henry will get sick less often, we hope… Antioxidants help maintain their immune system.

Also, the senior formula is what I’m hoping will help Henry the Horrible’s HORRIBLY bad breath. The smart folks at Eukanuba put “DentaDefense” in the food – which is clinically proven to reduce tartar in 28 days!!

What did you think of the food (texture, appearance, smell) when you first poured it into your dog’s bowl?

Intriguing, enticing, flavorful (for them): they literally DOVE into the bowl and have so looked forward to every meal this week!! I know it felt different than other foods we’ve used – it was more moist, almost like it was dipped in liquid flavoring or something…

How did your dog react the first time you fed him the Eukanuba food?

They were so happy, they wanted to eat more.  Franklin is usually quite reserved while eating – he started to wag his tail and eat at the same time, which is a first for him…

They both proceeded to totally wolf it down, which is weird for Franklin, who is an historically slow and picky eater. Henry guarded his food and licked it multiple times before gulping it down. Franklin took his time, cherishing each little bite, grabbing no more than 6 or 7 pieces of kibble at once so he could enjoy it as much as possible.  They totally savored the flavors…

They were instantly turned on.

♥ In the Smith house, we are looking forward to Week Two… thank you, Eukanuba! ♥

FouFou Dog Giveaway! Enter Now! Pet Product of the Week!

Posted on December 5th, 2011

So there’s this AWESOME new site out there for all you dog owners, FouFouDog.com — and they have so generously offered to sponsor a giveaway for ThoughtsFurPaws.com!

Here’s the deal:

Send me your entries by Friday, December 16th. Winner will be announced the next day…

What/how do you enter?

I want you to email me a story and/or short description on why you love your specific breed of dog so much and why he/she deserves to win the FouFouDog AWESOME prize package I’m putting together! Why are you so dedicated to the breed? How long have you owned this type of pet? What are your fave breed characteristics? So email me at thoughtsfurpaws@gmail.com and please put “Fou Fou Contest” in the Subject Line.

*** FouFouDog on Facebook: “Like” this page — it’s awesomeand let them know on their wall that ThoughtsFurPaws sent you — it is crucial that you tell them I sent you; if you don’t – you will not be entered to win.

*** After posting on their wall and “liking” them, you’ll immediately be entered to win a $50 gift certificate accompanied by some toys and/or a small package of breed-specific products if you’d like… this promo runs from NOW until Friday, Dec. 16th at 5pm EST.***

Rhinestone Sticker

Don’t forget: Like FouFouDog on Facebooknow!

- We at ThoughtsFurPaws tried out things like the Woodland Critter toy, Multi-Color Royal Crown Slider charm, floppy toys, PLUS, we got an AWESOME rhinestone sticker when FouFouDog sent us a pack for review. This is definitely higher end stuff but it’s well-worth the affordable price…

So who/what is Fou Fou Dog?

Well unlike some other online “boutiques for dogs” that consider themselves “doggie stylish,” this one has nice stuff that you would actually want to buy collars, fun accessories, plush toys, breed-specific items and lots more!

They are a premier doggie clothing/accessory/toy/pet lover gift website created by a woman who decided there was “a void in the doggie wear marketplace.”

It’s affordable, trendy, unique and fashionable. From the website, “all FouFou Dog designs are ‘doggy-centric’ in that primacy is given to the pet’s comfort and protection. In other words, special care is also given to ensure that all designs are easy to put on and remove and that quality materials are used in order to stand up to the rigors of ‘doggyhood’ and regular washing.”

So enter to win now: get your stories to thoughtsfurpaws@gmail.com today! And check out the Fou Fou Catalog too so you can see your favorite breed’s cool stuff, or shop for other pet lovers this holiday season!

APPA Announces Expansion to 4th Annual Pets Add Life Children’s Poetry Contest!

Posted on December 1st, 2011

For the first year, American Pet Products Association will accept poems from students in 3rd-8th grades;

kids can win scholarship dollars and other pet prizes!

Calling all creative kids!

The American Pet Products Association (APPA) President, Bob Vetere, announced recently that the organization will be accepting poems for its 4th Annual Pets Add Life Children’s Poetry Contest.

“The last three years have not only been successful, but fun,” Vetere said. “We are overwhelmed, year after year, by the number and creativity of poems we receive from kids across the country. This is a great opportunity to get and keep kids excited about pets in a fun and educational way. It was only natural for us to expand the contest in its fourth year to allow for more students to have the opportunity to participate.”

For the first year ever, students in grades 3rd-8th are invited to write a unique poem about their pets, what they love about them, the joys they bring, and then post it online at www.PetsAddLife.org or mail their final poem and submission form to:

Pets Add Life

661 Sierra Rose Dr.

Reno, NV 89511

Deadline for submissions is January 31, 2012 at 5:00pm EST.

In addition, teachers within our contest grade levels are welcome to incorporate this national contest into their lesson plans, and submit poems in one entry, on behalf of his/her classroom.

One student from each grade level (6 total) nationwide will win a $250 gift certificate for pet products, and a “by-line” in a nationally circulated publication! (As a published poet myself, I can tell you that this is a big deal!)

*** In addition, the six winning students’ classrooms will each win a $1,000 scholarship to spend on pet related education.***

“In past years, winning poems have featured pets from hamsters and birds to dogs that are best friends, kittens and fish,” Vetere said. “And, it has been wonderful to receive updates from our winning teachers who have spent the scholarship dollars on classroom fieldtrips to the zoo, a classroom pet and supplies, and educational materials regarding pet and animal wellness.”

To learn more about the Pets Add Life Children’s Poetry Contest, read previous winning poems, upload your submission, or download a printed submission form, please visit www.petsaddlife.org or contact Kerry Sutherland at The Impetus Agency, 775.322.4022 or Kerry@theimpetusagency.com.

More info on PAL: Pets Add Life website, or PAL on Facebook

** See my other Pets Add Life posts here and here!

 

 

Annual Halloween Pet Photo Contest Winners!

Posted on November 7th, 2011

The results are in!

Here are the winners of the Annual Halloween Photo Contest!

I’m offering up two Honorable Mentions after third place because it was so contentious!

1. Hobbs the Confederate Soldier

2. Brulee

3. Petey Honors Fallen Soldiers

Honorable Mentions:  Dakota, “Wolfie in Sheep’s Clothing”

See all pictures (in a row) below…

Hobbs the Confederate Soldier

 

Brulee

 

Petey Honors Fallen Heroes

 

Dakota

 

Wolfie in Sheep's Clothing

 

LAST Entries for the Halloween Pet Photo Contest Part I: Voting Ends NEXT SUNDAY!

Posted on October 29th, 2011

Okay, so this is the last update…

♥ These are THEE FINAL ENTRIES for the Annual ThoughtsFurPaws.com Halloween Pet Photo Contest! If you sent me a photo after 8 pm EST last night, it has automatically been filed for inclusion in the next pet photo contest, a “Funny Pets Picture” Contest to start end-of-November. Of course, I will announce the start of the contest-as well as personally email each late entrant (from this month) a notice that their photo is going up.

Voting for the Halloween Pet Photo Contest, because of the delay in posting these final entries, is extended to NEXT Sunday, November 5th at 10 pm EST.

** PLEASE DO NOT CLICK ON THE ACTUAL PET’S PHOTO TO VOTE; click on the Responses/Comments section and leave your name and email address please. If you do not vote this way (or by emailing me at thoughtsfurpaws@gmail.com), your vote MAY NOT BE RECEIVED due to technical issues on the back end that arose this week. *** I cannot stress the importance of this…

And finally, at last count, here are the current leaders for the contest — in order — as of yesterday at noon EST:

1. TIE between Dakota and Angel (see 10/10 post for picture)

2. “Petey Honors Fallen Heroes” (see 10/10 post for picture)Petey needs only 3 more votes to TAKE first place!

3. Brulee – who, to clarify, is a foster kitty and sib to the late Sweet Praline, not a “rescue kitten” as I previously mis-wrote (see 10/26 post for picture)Brulee needs only two votes to tie for 2nd!

4. “Clyde the Native American” (Honorable Mention – but still gets a prize package) (see 10/22 post for picture)

5. “Wolfie in Sheep’s Clothing” (Honorable Mention – but still gets a prize package) (see 10/26 post for picture)

So, on to the final entries. Please be patient and scroll all the way down, there are about 15  photos in this post! And there are 15 more final entries above!

Ash

 

Baxter as Spaghetti and Meatballs

 

Beagle Doctor

 

Beagle Nurse

 

Bear and Daisy

 

Bentley the 2nd Chia Pet Entry!

 

Buddy and Bambi the Hair Sheep

 

Charlie the Cowboy

 

dog convict charged w/ ankle-biting & crumb-snatching!

 

"Gia's Drag Queen Impression"

 

Heidi the Cow & Sammi the Squirrel

 

Hobbs the Confederate Soldier (Close-Up)

 

Hobbs the Confederate Soldier

 

Holly the "Holla-peno" Pepper!

 

Sucrose

 

Please continue to weigh in on the final entries — get your contest votes in on these, the pics in the post above, and the several Halloween Photo Contest posts below…!

LAST Entries for Halloween Pet Photo Contest… Part II: Voting Ends NEXT SUNDAY!

Posted on October 29th, 2011

Okay, so this is the REAL last update… (please be patient if this page takes a bit to load)

♥ These are THEE FINAL ENTRIES for the Annual ThoughtsFurPaws.com Halloween Pet Photo Contest! This is the second part of the last post of entries. I had too many pics to post at once and didn’t want to slow down load-time. So please be sure to check out these photos AND the ones below, in addition to other, previous posts with “Halloween Pet Photo Contest Entries”

If you sent me a photo after 8 pm EST last night, it has automatically been filed for inclusion in the next pet photo contest, a “Funny Pets Picture” Contest to start end-of-November. Of course, I will announce the start of the contest-as well as personally email each late entrant (from this month) a notice that their photo is going up.

◊Voting for the Halloween Pet Photo Contest, because of the delay in posting these final entries, is extended to NEXT Sunday, November 5th at 10 pm EST.

** PLEASE DO NOT CLICK ON THE ACTUAL PET’S PHOTO TO VOTE; click on the Responses/Comments section and leave your name and email address please. If you do not vote this way (or by emailing me at thoughtsfurpaws@gmail.com), your vote MAY NOT BE RECEIVED due to technical issues on the back end that arose this week. *** I cannot stress the importance of this…

And finally, at last count, here are the current leaders for the contest — in order — as of yesterday at noon EST:

1. TIE between Dakota and Angel (see 10/10 post for picture)

2. “Petey Honors Fallen Heroes” (see 10/10 post for picture)Petey needs only 3 more votes to TAKE first place!

3. Brulee – who, to clarify, is a foster kitty and sib to the late Sweet Praline, not a “rescue kitten” as I previously mis-wrote (see 10/26 post for picture) – Brulee needs only two votes to tie for 2nd!

4. “Clyde the Native American” (Honorable Mention – but still gets a prize package) (see 10/22 post for picture)

5. “Wolfie in Sheep’s Clothing” (Honorable Mention – but still gets a prize package) (see 10/26 post for picture)

So, on to the final entries. Please be patient and scroll all the way down, there are about 15 photos in this post!

Juno the Good Witch Great Dane

 

Lady Edwards

 

Lucky

 

Luna the Geisha

 

Lyndi Lou as Lady Gaga

 

Lyndi Lou as Lady Gaga II

 

Nimrod the Cat as a Sock Monkey

 

Ozzy the Vampire

 

Ozzy the Vampire II

 

"Know Where I Can Find Some 'Booty?'"

 

Rally as a Squirrel Cardinals Fan

 

Remy the Sprinkled Donut!

 

Rufus the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" Great Dane!

 

Simba the Pomapoo Pumpkin

 

Spot the Witch

 

DON’T FORGET: Please scroll all the way down to “Responses” to vote; DO NOT click on the pet’s photo or I may not receive the vote due to tech issues. You can also email two votes per email to me at thoughtsfurpaws@gmail.com.

Don’t forget also to check out ALL the Halloween Pet Photo Contest Entries that have been posted over the last three weeks or so. There are about 100 or so!