Survey says...

The winner of this week's
Funny, But No Thank You voting is
"The Fun Couple"

Congratulations!
LESLIE PRICE
Asheville, NC

Shameless Self-Promotion #11: Dustin & Sophia

Hey everyone!

This is Dustin Miller and my pet is Sophia!

The last month has made Sophia quite the diva - not only is she getting media coverage but she is now larger than her brother, my toy fox terrier Cooper!

Talk about letting a little fame go to her head, she will even grab him by his collar - but its all in play! She knows that she is too cute to get in trouble!

We would love for you to vote for us so that Sophia (and Cooper) can take their show on the road!

YourPets Puzzlers: #4

Post your guess. Beat the rest.



1. Trendy treat? Fun to eat.
    Doggy drool? Not so cool.

2. Sparkly smile, shiny snout.
    You can figure this one out.

3. Come on, puzzle nerds.
    This one's for the birds.

Shameless Self-Promotion #10: Elizabeth & Lucy

Hi! I'm Elizabeth, and this is my puppy, Lucy.

You should definitely vote for Lucy's card in the Hallmark yourPets greeting card contest. After all she's done for me, she deserves it.

I'd been going through some medical problems recently and medicine wasn't working. I decided that I needed some good old TLC instead, so I adopted Lucy.

Lucy and I like to work up a sweat chasing butterflies and playing fetch for hours and our new favorite place is the beach. But the times when I most appreciate her is when I'm feeling sick. I'll lay down on the couch, and she'll climb under the blankets and literally watch TV with me until we both fall asleep, no doubt drooling all over each other.

It's such a privilege to have her with me all the time, loving me unconditionally and making me laugh even when nothing else can. Thanks to her, I've never felt healthier in my life!

So vote for us, because if there was ever a dog that deserves to win, it's my best friend, Lucy.

Funny, But No Thank You #4

Revealed by Popular Demand: (some of) the "almosts" and "maybes" and "really?" from YourFunny*ness. (See sidebar on right.) More to come each Monday.

HAIR'S THE THING...

BIRDY BARFLIES

JUST KIDNEYING!

THE FUN COUPLE

PRESCHOOL PIRATE

Survey says...

The winner of this week's
Funny, But No Thank You voting is
"BOYS 2 MEN"

Congratulations!
GINNIE HOBBS
Elsmere, KY

Shameless Self-Promotion #9: Jill & Bella

Hi there! I'm Jill Williams and my darling rescue kitty is Bella. You should totally vote for us in this contest!

Bella the Beauty was rescued from a dump site back in July '07. When I met Bella last July, she was in a cage hoping to be a adopted by a loving family. She lucked out! I came along at the right moment and adopted her the day I met her.

After searching for a new companion for quite a few months, Bella exceeded my expectations on the day we met. Her scruffy, skinny body, matted fur and a lone snaggletooth may have deterred most people from giving her a second glance. But once I held her, I knew she would be my new roommate. Now she is spoiled, healthy and has more fur than I know what to do with.

Vote for THE sweetest snaggletooth around!

Real Cards! Real Soon!

We are so excited about your cards being printed, "cut," sorted into "gangs" and all of the other hocus pocus they do over in our card factories to translate our ideas into reality, that our little team took a trip to witness the action. We were not disappointed. So cool to see all your work out there in stacks and all gleaming and pretty. They look great. You people made some fine cards.

Look how many there are!! These puppies are being shipped and stocked all over the country in our Gold Crown Stores and lots of other ones, too. They are going to help make some happy birthdays out there, all over the place. Cool, right?

Seeing "behind the scenes" on the card production was like being on our own personal Mr. Rogers episode. Or some reality show about how they make stuff. Except for the fact that it actually was reality.

These are flats used by cool little fork lifts driven around the plant. The woman driving the one we saw was cruising. They didn't let us try it out for a spin. Something about safety codes.

Below is a glamour shot of the warehouse, where all the cards you created get stacked up and ready to ship...TO A STORE NEAR YOU BY MID-JUNE! Yippeee!!

Judgy
P.S. When is the next competition? Will there be a next competition? What will the next competition be about? Will I win the competition? These questions will all be answered in time. Pretty soon, even.
P.P.S. That's what I've been working on, in case you've missed me. I missed you. :)

YourPets Puzzlers: #3

Where are these from? Who'll guess first? Only you, dear bloggers, know.


1. Looks like this amazing cutie
just got back from a day of beauty.

2. When it comes to cute, this dog is it!
Huh? What's that? Speak up a bit.

3. Can't get enough
big puffy fluff.

Shameless Self-Promotion #8: Kathy & Hal

I think you should vote for me and my fabulous cat Hal Fishman... because my cat is a superstar.

I never expected the sick tiny kitten I found would turn out to be such a fixture in my life.

He follows me everywhere... into the shower... everywhere.

He has extra toes so he has very large feet and tends to be a bit clumsy, but I wouldn't want him any other way.

He makes me laugh on a daily basis and I am so lucky to have found him.

Funny, But No Thank You #3

Revealed by Popular Demand: (some of) the "almosts" and "maybes" and "really?" from YourFunny*ness. (See sidebar on right.) More to come each Monday, for quite a while.

BOYS 2 MEN

DIAPER DAZE

DOGGY DRESSUP

PUPPETMASTER

YOU DIRTY DOG

Survey says...

The winner of this week's

"Funny, But No Thank You" voting is:

JANET DUPRAS
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Shameless Self-Promotion #7: Sandy & Brittany

Hi! My name is Sandy Boucher and I am the proud Mama of Brittany Boucher.

She really is as sweet as she looks! She is the baby of the family with an older poodle "sister" and poodle "brother". Brittany turned 5 on April 22nd and it would be a great belated birthday present to get some extra votes!

Brittany gives "kisses" to everyone....including her dog groomer and vet! Brittany is not a morning girl though! She is the last one out of bed every morning and the first one in bed at night!

Her favorite game is throw the puppy biscuit off the couch and watch my Mama pick it up.

To know Brittany is to love her!!

YourPets Puzzlers: #2

1. Here's a hint for hunting eyes:
Coneheads come in every size.

2. Try this puzzler, if you dare.
Who looks good in fur-mal wear?

3. Ooh. This puzzler's kinda blurry.
Your clue? Two words: "Frosting's furry."

Shameless Self-Promotion #6: Michelle & Zoe

Hi, I'm Michelle Trout.

I have the most spoiled adorable kitty. Her name is Miss Princess Zoe (really that's what she's registered as) and she knows it, so does our 75 lb dog.

Zoe is princess of the house, if she throws a meowing fit for something (like canned cat food) she usually gets it, she even sleeps on the dogs bed! And he does nothing about it.

Last month though, she was a completely diff cat for half the month, she had a kidney taken out and it took her a while to get back to herself. She's doing great now, thankfully because we wouldn't know what to do without her. Since we have had her, she turned my fiancé into a total cat person!

So please vote for us everyday. Zoe and I would greatly appreciate it! Her Majesty thanks you is advance ;)

Shameless Self-Promotion #5: Amanda & Jack

Hi! My name is Amanda Dunbar and you should vote for me and my dog Jack!

Jack is a 12 pound pomeranian who's a lovable bundle of fur! His favorite past times are going to the park to lay under a tree, chasing after squirrels and peeing on mom's area rug.

He doesn't really love to dress up but this picture is from Halloween. Jack was about 1 of 6 hot dogs at the park that day.

Anyway, thanks again for voting for us and don't forget to stop by daily!

Survey says...

The winner of this week's
"Funny, But No Thank You" voting is:
DIANE BOGARDUS

Liverpool, NY

Shameless Self-Promotion #4: Melissa, Chewie & Newie

Hi, I'm Melissa and these are my exceptional chinchillas, Chewie and Newie. You should vote for our card because it's unique! How many chinchillas have you ever seen on a Hallmark card? We also put a lot of hard work into this photo. Take a closer look - the entire scene was meticulously set up for maximum birthday cheer! Chewie and Newie sat through over 80 shots before we got it perfect. They're so exceptional because not many chinchillas would tolerate sitting still and wearing hats for that long! Please help make chinchilla cards instead of chinchilla coats. Vote everyday!

YourPets Puzzlers: #1

What's a Pet Puzzler?

Possibly the best game on the whole Internet.

What deep, dark secrets are hiding in the finalist's photos?
Wouldn't you like to know.

Does the fun never stop around here?

No. No, it doesn't.

Here's the first few... good luck!

Here's a clue for Number 1:

Hop to it for some puzzler fun.

Try Number 2 now, Don't be dim.

(Anybody for a swim?)

The third one's really tricky. Yipes!

Who looks svelt in slimming stripes?

Okay! Get busy, pet detectives! Find those snippets in our finalists' photos. And check back here next week for the solutions. (And please, when you find them, keep the answers to yourselves so everyone can play.)

Funny, But No Thank You...#1

Revealed by Popular Demand: (some of) the "almosts" and "maybes" and "really?" from YourFunny*ness (at random and without comment). (See sidebar on right.) More to come each Monday, for quite a while.

Enjoy.

Shameless Self-Promotion #3: Julie & Lila

Tired and bored of the political forum? Had enough of campaign promises? Now there is a new candidate on the block who wants your votes and this election is way more fun!

I’m Julie and my puppy’s name is Lila. She would love to nab your votes just like she steals the cat food (which, by the way makes her a “Big Stinker” in more ways than one, if you get my drift!)

She promises to share with the local SPCA chapter if she wins the new mini-contest. Now get out there and vote for Lila and me!

Shameless Self-Promotion #2: Pati & Rufus

Hi, I'm RUFUS, and I'm a happy, happy dog!
I was rescued from the pound and now I'm living a dog's life.
I eat, play, eat, sleep, eat, ride, eat, sleep. I have a dog pal and a cat buddy.
And the girls in the bank just LOVE me!
I howl like crazy at sirens, especially amusing to nearby drivers, when I'm sitting in the truck in traffic.
I do what I can.
I also tip over like a fainting goat, when my owners walk by. Anything for attention.
How about a vote for me?! (I'd vote for YOU!)

Shameless Self-Promotion #1: Ashley & Rudy

I am Ashley Howe and our family dog is Rudy! You never have to wonder what Rudy is feeling! You can tell by his cartoon face!

He has a salty, wrinkly happy face, his scared face, his "I am going to kick some butt face", and his "are you sad Mom" face!

Other favorite faces are his "I am not getting up yet" and his "Are you done dressing me up for Hallmark Birthday cards" face! (See Happy Birthday Sunshine to vote!)

Living with Rudy is like living with a cartoon character! Vote for our favorite character today!

More fun? Are we kidding you?

No. We take our fun seriously around here. And that is why we are, in fact, kicking off the summertime trifecta of fun!

1. "Shameless Self-Promotion!" We've invited all the YourPets finalists to contribute blogs explaining why they deserve to win this competition. Sixteen guest bloggers took the bait, and their stories range from funny to quirky to absolutely heartwarming.

You'll look at these pets a little differently when you hear their special stories. Wonder if some new frontrunners will emerge?

Here's how we decided who's on first...and second... and third...etc.

2. "Funny, But No Thank You!" You asked for it, we listened, you got it. Several bloggers have asked to see the cards that didn't quite make the finalist cut. We aim to please, so we'll be posting five non-winning entries every Monday. Vote for the best. Wince at the rest. (We'll announce these voting results every Friday.)

Note to those featured in Funny, But No Thank You: It's a badge of honor around here to have an idea deemed Funny, But No. (See Judgy's April 30 post for a brief history of this beloved tradition and a link to the Shoebox blog,) It's just for fun, and you know we love you all. These, too, will be selected completely at random so it's the luck of the draw on the 5 we show each week.

3. "Pet Puzzlers!" To reward our loyal voting public, and to attract more citizens to our lively community, we're adding a weekly game to our site. Every Wednesday, we'll post three or four images. Your job: Study the images and find the pet finalist photos they belong to.

Difficulty will range from "well, duh" to "curse you, LoneExWhy!" (He's the lovable tormentor creating the puzzles.)

We'll post the answers in the blog's Comments section on the Tuesday after each puzzle appears. (So when you figure it out, please keep it to yourselves. Or else it will be like opening the Highlights magazine in the doctor's office and seeing that someone has circled all the hidden pictures, Grrr!)