Dog-gone Cute!

Meet our 6th Annual
Pet Photo Contest Winners

compiled by Nikki M. Murry | photography by Maria Stamy, Maria Stamy Photography & Carrie Kizuka, Carrie Kizuka Photography

With 100+ entries in this year's contest, it was as hard as ever to choose just which loveable pets to feature, but these four came out on top! Meet the winners on the following pages...

↜ Momoko

( Japanese for peach), aka Momo or #momotheshiba {Shiba Inu} Facebook Fan Favorite

Loved by:

Carrie and Mako Kizuka of Sinking Spring. I have three human sisters, too: Akina, Mika and Kaiya.

Favorite way to spend the day:

I love spending my time laying in the sun on my deck, "playing" with critters that trespass into my yard. When I get tired, I come inside and take long naps on the cool tile floor.

People might describe me as:

Catlike, independent, and packed with personality.

My best friend is:

My human grandparents. I scream cries of joy and give them my happy "airplane ears" whenever they come over to visit, and they always give me lots of scratches and treats in return.

Snack of choice:

It's a tie between any variety of cheese and whipped cream from a spray can. If I'm being stubborn and pretending to ignore my humans, those treats get my attention every single time.

If I had a job, it would be:

Pest control, specializing in the removal of voles, possums, birds and rabbits.

Something that makes me unique is:

I survived xylitol poisoning when I was 2. My mom didn't realize she left a pack of gum in her bag, and I discovered it while my humans were gone one night and ate a few of the pieces. My parents arrived home just in time and rushed me to the emergency vet. The doctors there saved my life, and I was able to go home 4 days later. The doctors said that my recovery was a miracle, and my parents use that as an opportunity to warn other dog owners about xylitol poisoning.

Bloo ↝

aka Bloobert, B or Crazy Cat {Ragdoll Mix} Staff Pick

Loved by:

Dana Denunzio, Mt. Penn.

Favorite way to spend the day:

Napping in my favorite chair.

People might describe me as:

A little crazy, a lot insane. My mom says my face is split because I act like Jekyll & Hyde. You never know who you're going to get with me!

My best friend is:

My bulldog sister, Miss Ruby.

Snack of choice:

Anything & everything. I'm a beggar; just last week I tried to steal the cookies off the counter!

Tell us about the day you met your family:

I was in a strange place, in a small cage. My brother Alex walked by and then disappeared. He returned with my mom. A lady took us to a room where we all played for a little while. My mom said, "We will take her home!" The next thing I know, they're putting me in another cage and we went home!

If I had a job it would be:

Queen, of course!

Something that makes me unique is:

Everyone tells me that my face is unique; they especially love my bright blue eyes (which is how I got my name). I also beg like a dog and chase my sister around the house. My mom says it's funny to see a cat chase a bulldog, but it's what I do!

↜ Ollie

aka Ollo-Bear {Guinea Pig} Staff Pick

Loved by:

Kira Spencer, Exeter Township, age 13.

Favorite way to spend the day:

Hanging out on top of my purple hut. Lounging in my cushy giraffe bed. Eating hay, hay and more hay!

My special treat is:

Being allowed to roam the playroom. I'm very well behaved, of course, and don't run away.

People might describe me as:

A super-loud squeaker when I want my veggies, but most people tell me I'm very cute.

My best friend is:

My girl Kira.

Snack of choice:

Yogurt drops are the best! Yum!

Tell us about the day you met your family:

Kira kept coming to visit me at the pet store. I knew she loved me right away, and I really hoped I could go home with her someday. Finally, she was able to take me to my forever home. She was so happy and knew just what I needed to make me comfortable in my new cage. We are a perfect match!

If I had a job it would be:

A referee because I have the perfect fur coat for it.

Something that makes me unique is:

I have a very specific squeak that I only do around humans.

Jonah ↝

aka Bubba, or The Silent Destroyer {Cane Corso} Staff Pick

Loved by:

My adoptive parents are Mama and Daddy (Amanda and Joshua Frost) and they are from Temple. My biological parents are from Russia and New Holland.

Favorite way to spend the day:

Chewing on sticks, playing at the park, chasing balls and wrestling.

People might describe me as:

Very handsome, smart, energetic and sweet.

My best friend is:

My girlfriend, Laina.

Snack of choice:

Bully Sticks.

Tell us about the day you met your family:

My mom and dad came to the farm where I was born and played with my sisters and I and then took me home with them.

If I had a job it would be:

A logger. I love all kinds of tree limbs and logs. I like to bring them home to chew on and scatter around the yard.

Something that makes me unique is:

My icy eyes and velvety soft ears. I am also an uncommon breed.

Staff Pets!

They’re our pet picks and have made an ever-lasting imprint on our hearts. Meet the pets that are part of our Berks County Living family…