Below is a list of my favorite articles I wrote during the past year, often with an explanation of what made them memorable.
Five Non-Cash Ways to Help Animals/Shelters this Holiday Season: This was my first article to have a comment left on it.
Is It Ever Okay to Kick a Dog?: This was my first article to ever get stars.
The BMK Fund: This practice is very near and dear to my heart and it was neat to have a platform such as blogging for Families.com to share it on.
How to Put Your Shopping Dollars to Work Helping Animals and I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas: These were among my first articles examining ways to make a difference in the lives of animals with purchase prowess.
Assistance Dogs of the West and The Lessons They Teach: This was not only my first five-star article but one written based on a tip from Lisa Pietsch.
Kitty Quirks: The Funny Ways He Says “I Love You”: My fondest musings about my nutty Mr. Meow.
I’m a Foster (Cat) Mom!: This marks the mystical moment Tabby entered our lives.
“What Kind of Dog Is That?”: Why I Love My Pound Hound: All the reasons my Murph is so special to me.
Tabby Had to Go!: I thought this was a funny April Fool’s joke.
In Memoriam: The Animals Aboard Titanic: I had no idea there were really animals on board that fateful voyage and it was neat to learn about their experiences.
Tragedy: The Jacksonville Humane Society Burns to the Ground: This one broke my heart.
In Memoriam: Budly Wallaby Roo: I got to commemorate Budly’s life in a happy way!
To Declaw or Not to Declaw, That is the Question: I’ll never forget the firestorm of controversy this provoked in my household!
The Cat Cottage: Can I Get My Money Back?: The title says it all.
Cape San Blas: The Ultimate Dog Beach Vacation Spot: Who knew such a place existed? I didn’t until I did some research to find such a place for a blog topic.
Remembering Animals Who Served Our Country: Abel & Baker: Magnificent monkeys!
What You Think Upon Grows Day: What Does My Dog Think? (Because I Want to Think Like Him!): Murph’s always setting a good example.
The Queen: A Royal Dog Lover: Who knew? She gained a whole new respect from me.
Mr. Meow’s Bed Boycott: Finally Over!: This marked a huge turning point when peace was finally restored to our house.
Tamar Geller: A Dog Trainer I Can Relate To: I don’t care much for the Dog Whisperer but I dig this chick’s methods.
Michael Vick Learns Animal Lovers Are a Force to be Reckoned With: Boy did he!
Dollywood is for the Birds (Among Other Things): Wasn’t expecting a theme park to be so pro animals.
Figuring Out What Fido Is: Doggie DNA Tests: When my neighbor first told me about this I thought it was silly, but I soon realized how this could help some pets get proper health treatment.
FYI: Cool Pet/Animal Tip Offs Fellow Families.com Members Have Shared with Me: This is what I was talking about when I said what a supportive, nurturing place Families.com is.
Radioactivity Less Dangerous to Animals Then Man?: The proof is in Chernobyl.
Drive-Thru Donuts and Coffee for Dogs: Murph’s favorite outings to run with me!
Leona Helmsley’s $12 Million Bequest to Her Dog: Ah, to be rich and eccentric…
Chaotic Cat Chronicles: The Spooky Shriek That Pierced the Night: My fur kids got me good this day.
Dead Dog Walking: I have never felt worse about myself than the day I didn’t stop to help this dog.
Pet Bereavement Photography: One of the weirder concepts I covered.
Do Your Pets Have Theme Songs?
Do Your Pets Help With Chores?
Pooper Scoopers: From Frugal to Fancy: I wasn’t expecting to get much attention from this one, but not only did it receive five stars and a comment, but I got an email from Ann Tucker, the webmaster for Baby Dog Names, saying she loved it and had linked to my article. I felt so honored!
When Disasters Affect Animals: California’s Wildfires: It reassuring to know there are agencies and devoted volunteers to help both people and animals in times of need.
79 Animal Rights, Welfare, and Service Organizations Worthy of Your Donations, 24 Wildlife Conservation Organizations Worthy of Your Donations, and 18 Zoos and Aquariums Worthy of Your Donations: I like to donate but want to make sure my money’s going to what it should be going for. I learned in most cases it really does.
Hunters Aren’t Evil and Other Things Researching Charities Taught Me: Mine eyes were definitely opened from this research.
My Top 5 Animal Loving Role Models: I had fun taking a trip down nostalgia lane remembering those people who helped shape my animal lovin’ ways.