Santa Pets Contest 2009

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Our Winner

Raisin, a basenji from Boston, Massachusetts. "Raisin was curious as to why I was bringing the outside in," writes our winner, Melody Henkel. "But she got into the spirit."

Raisin, whose registered name is Bet on Striking Gold at Eldorado, "is a doll, very strong-willed and an independent thinker, like most hounds," Melody continues. "She keeps me on my toes. She is 4 points away from her AKC Championship. This shot was part of a 365-day project where I take a picture of her every day for a year and post them on Flickr. I am in the final months, and its been a great experience. I will have a wonderful document of her, her personality and life when [the project is] over." 

Melody, who is an archaeologist at UMass/Boston and the Fiske Center for Archaeological Research, says she will be donating the prize of a year's supply of Purina ONE pet food to BRAT (Basenji Rescue and Transport). Thanks, Melody and Raisin!

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A Holly Jolly Collar

Contributed by dancingnuns.

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Santa Claws

Kitty Bitty, a cat from Portland, Oregon. "Kitty knew Christmas was coming, because it was time to pose for the camera!" writes JMR10.

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Ivy and Cheyenne with Frosty

Ivy and Cheyenne, dogs from West Palm Beach, Florida. "Christmas in South Florida!" writes jenalon1319.

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Howliday

Bubba, Coco Chanel, Dolce, and Armani, dogs from Portland, Oregon. "Yappy howliday to you!" writes mel1981.

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Santa's Little Helpers

Contributed by null.

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Marley with Santa Paws

Marley Roberts, a dog from Centerton, Arkansas. "Woof, woof! My name is Marley, and this is a picture of me with Santa Paws! I had so much fun getting my pictures taken. I hope you like it as much as my mom does!" Contributed by RandiRoberts.

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Waiting for Santa

Snickers, Zoe, and Harli, dogs from Freehold, New Jersey. "Naughty or Nice? In this picture we are little angels! Of course, it only took about a hundred tries!" Contributed by pmresq.

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Baby Ginger in a Christmas Stocking

Ginger Reisner, a dog from Saint Louis. "This is our baby, Ginger," writes theresa44. "She has been part of our family only one week! She is a very sweet puppy, and we love her dearly!"

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Christmas Cheer

Nellie, a dog from New Lenox, Illinois. "My dog loves getting her picture taken, so she was more than willing to be my model for this photo," writes rtscribbs02.

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Yorkie Christmas Love

Binky, a Yorkshire terrier from LaGrange, Georgia, is ready for some Christmas fun. Contributed by Binkytown.

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Waiting for Santa!

Miss Rosy (Rosy), a cat from Somers Point, New Jersey. "Rosy just got a shot and was pretty tired," writes jgl5858. "She cuddled up in a chair and fell sound asleep! I decided to put a Santa hat on her so she would look cute! It was a month till Christmas, and I figured this picture looks like she's waiting for Santa to come! Isn't she cute?"

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Early in Christmas Tree

Early, a parrot from Jeannette, Pennsylvania. Contributed by laura100878.

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Pepper...Being a "Hot" Pepper

Pepper, a cat from Manorville, New York. "Pepper wasn't too excited about the hat...but she was such a good trouper while her picture was taken," writes SweetPepper. "She's looking so Grinch-y here. Bah! Humbug!"

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A Texas Christmas

Texas Shotgun Rivas, a French bulldog from Washington, D.C., at the mall shopping for Christmas presents. Contributed by Joer.

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Santa Sweater

Contributed by atier.

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Santa's Favorite Elf

Logan, a dog from Orlando. "Okay, Santa. I'm ready to help," writes myshoppingconnection.

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Santa Puppy

Bailey, a dog from Woodhaven, Michigan. "Hey! I'm a jack-in-the-box...BOL!!" writes sophierose.

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Happy Howl-I-Days!

Barbie and Midge, dogs from Santa Rosa Valley, California. "Barbie and Midge wish you the happiest of howl-i-days and a paw-some new year!" writes divamidge.

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Rusty

Rusty, a dog from St. Petersburg, Florida. "I could be Rudolph any day!" writes cammie3385.

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Waiting for Santa

Moose, a dog from Barrie, Ontario, Canada. "Moose posed with his lovely Christmas necklace while waiting for Santa to arrive :)" writes JamieIrving.

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The Grinch

Sunny, a cat from Springfield, Missouri. Kancaligirl writes:

4 p.m., wallow in self pity

4:30, stare into the abyss

5 p.m., solve world hunger, tell no one

5:30, Jazzercize

6:30, dinner with me -- I can't cancel that again

7 p.m., wrestle with my self-loathing...

"I'm booked. Of course, if I bump the loathing to 9, I could still be done in time to lay in bed, stare at the ceiling, and slip slowly into madness. But what would I wear?"

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Owen on Adoption Day

Owen, a dog from Nashville. "Owen is a blind golden-retriever mix who was rescued by our organization, Now I'm Home Animal Rescue, from an animal-control facility," writes colleen37212. "This photo of Owen waiting for Santa was placed on Petfinder.com, and Owen quickly found his forever home. Santa brought Owen a new family for Christmas!"

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Snow Day!

Otis, a dog from Dearborn Heights, Michigan. "One of Santa's helpers taking a little break!" writes lala973w.

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Pretty...

Sweetpea, a cat from New Hope, Pennsylvania. "Sweetpea's first Christmas," writes Darini. "And oh how she loves glittery ornaments!"

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What Is This Thing?

Rigby, a dog from Douglas, Massachusetts. "Do I have to wear this thing?" writes mabeji.

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Our Pet Duck

Pearly Boy, a duck from Goleta, California. "Santa Duck," writes Pearlyboy.

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Sydney Loves Her Christmas Dress

Sydney, a cat from Salem, Massachusetts. "This is Sydney's first Christmas," writes kaliko. "She actually loved the dress. I think it had a lot to do with the feathers!"

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I've Been Good This Year

Chloe, a dog from Aurora, Illinois. "I've been good this year. I passed my therapy-dog certification, and I love getting my photo taken," writes SchmoopsieGirl. "My mom is so proud of me!"

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Cappie

Cappie, a dog from St. Petersburg, Florida. "Hermie the happy elf...?" writes laurie58423.

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Felix

Felix, a dog from St. Petersburg, Florida, "aka Rudolph trainee," writes laurie58423.

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Lola's First Xmas

Lola Fort, a dog from Hallandale Beach, Florida. Contributed by rpowell551.

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First Christmas; Road Trip to Seattle

Maeby, a cat from San Diego. "At age 5 months, Maeby (and sister Surely, bottom right corner) took her first road trip to Seattle from San Diego to enjoy a white Christmas," writes tweetledes.

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The Best Gift of Them All

Bear-Claw, a dog from Modesto, California. "Pink, puppies, and a little bit of bling?" writes noellematthews. "What more could a girl ever need!?"

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