Phyllis Kerr, Cambridge
Hi and congratulations on a great display of pets. One request - could you please change my pets name in the winners circle to SPARKEY. She is on page 6 and now is under the name Spankey - I look forward to getting my tee shirt!

Laura Cordovano, Boston
This contest reflects the humor,warmth and love pets present to their owners every day of their little furry lives. The moments we take to share with them are precious and worth the time invested! I wish I had known about it sooner, I would have sent you some photos of my beauties!!

Robin Calnan, Squantum
Vicki,

I entered your contest back in it's first year (I think) in 1994. You kindly printed my Viszla "Nutmeg" in color on top of the column. I had written that I left her in Arizona. Well, she's still there with my now ex-husband with her brother Barnicle. I remain sadly "Viszla-less." So I thank you for this wonderful display of pet photos! And when I finally get my new Viszla puppy, I'll send pictures!

(When I entered Nutmeg into the contest, my name was Chipman - I'm happily remarried now, but without dogs!)

Thanks again! (Callie is gorgeous!)

Craig Garber, Dedham
I want to submit my kitty to your contest. How?
Thanks.
Craig, just read the answers we've given to similar questions below. Thanks!

Shannon Rouisse, Los Angeles
I think the pictures are great! I really enjoyed seeing them. They made my day!!

Anne, Kansas City
NEED TO KNOW WHAT BREED SUSHI IS OWNER IS CAROL BOUGHRUM OF SUDBURY MA.
Anne, we think Sushi may be a Surrey Moor West Highland White Terrier puppy. The Boughrums also own Captain Morgan, who is on the 7th Winners Circle page, and the dogs identified as Surrey Moor Westies on the 1st Buddies page. Perhaps the Boughrums will see your question and let us know if we're right.

Mary P. Connolly, Hanson
Love your piece--but it is so incomplete without the fabulous look of a Black Labrador--

Carol Ballor, Orlando
I enjoyed looking at the winners of your pet photo contest. How do I go about entering my babies in your contest?
Carol, the contest is over for this year, but we plan to do it again next year -- at least once, and who knows -- maybe twice, given the great response we've received. For the next contest, you can submit your pet's photo the traditional way -- a snapshot in the mail, -- or scan it into your computer (or have your local Photo Shop put it on a disk for you) and send it as a file attachment in an email message. We'll post details when we run the contest again, probably early next summer sometime.

Wendy Fuh, Boston
I love looking at these pictures! Please keep up the good work!

Breanne Kitchener
DON'T CHANGE THE SITE I LOVE IT IT'S THE BEST SMD ALL THE ANIMALS ARE SOOO CUTE PLEASE IF YOU HAVE TO MAKE CHANGES MAKE MINOR ONES BECAUSE ALL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY LOVE THIS SITE!

Jane Marshall, Boston
I'm rather upset to learn that these photos.. some I know.. others i don't.. won't be PRINTED in the Globe ! If one goes to all the trouble of submitting a photo.. shouldn't one be able to cut it out to save,,, send to friends? Not everyonr is able to go on line and SOME service providers won't let you "forward" to friends and elderly relatives.. What gives with this horrid situation ? THANX !!
The Globe's Living/Arts section, which has run this contest for the past several years, apparently decided to devote their resources to other initiatives this year. We at Boston.com were more than happy to take it over, given how popular it is and how much people love their pets! We don't have control over the decisions the Globe editors make, but perhaps they will host the contest at some point in the future.

Maria Miller, Medford
Good job as always. Unfortunately, once again I failed to hear about the contest in advance so your readers were deprived of my 2 beautiful cats. "Bubba" from the naughty pets category is my latest computer screen wallpaper. He is hilarious!
We did advertise the contest on the Boston.com homepage quite a bit, and Vicki put mentions of it in her Animal Beat column, but judging from comments like yours, we'll have to do a better job of publicizing it next year.

Kristie, Plainville
This is a fabulous contest. When is the contest each year and how do we enter?
Kristie, as I've said to others, we plan to run this again next summer, in either June or July. To enter, you can either email your photo as a file attachment, or send it in via email. The details will be outlined in our announcement next year.

Brenda Turri, Tewskbury
Great photos!!!! After having a bad day, they really cheered me up. Hopefully, you will run the contest next year so that I can send you a picture of my cat, Moxie Mittens.

Patricia O'Neill, Upton
I absolutely loved this!!! Looking at these adorable photos made my day!!!!

Lili Guralnik, Caracas, Venezuela
I learned about the contest thru the ACME Newsletter and enjoyed every single picture. Thanks! I wonder if my dog can participate next year, even if we don't live in the States? - How can I know when do you open the contest and whether or not I can submit his picture? Thank you again for this joy!
Lili, what does ACME stand for? We're glad our contest was listed in their newsletter! Yes, you can enter the contest no matter where you live. We plan to run the contest again next summer, perhaps in June or July, so just check back at Boston.com around that time and you're sure to see an announcement.

Donna Falcone, Norristown
I have to say Sloan an Akita (Diane Wood) is a beautiful, beautiful dog. She should recieve 1st Prize. I only wish my Dog Cody could meet her. Good Luck Sloan--Donna Falcone

Helen Alva, Somerville
The pictures are adorable! How can I enter next year's contest?
Assuming that the Globe Living/Arts section doesn't re-take over the contest next year, Helen, then Boston.com's plan is to do it again next summer, perhaps earlier than August -- June or July. Read Vicki Croke's Animal Beat column, which runs every other Saturday in Living/Arts - she'll carry news about our plans. And of course, log on to Boston.com -- about every hour or so every day of the week should be about right.

Heather Kiley, Norwood
Animals bring so much joy to our lives. It's great that people can share their joys with others. No one else would appreciate it but another animal lover. Great contest. I hope you continue to do it every year. I know I'll be sending my dogs pictures in! Thanks.

Kim Van Alstine, Fitchburg
What wonderful pictures!!! Just when I thought I was going to have a truly awful day, I ran into this. It's too bad I didn't know in time to send in pictures of my pets. Oh well, there's always next time. Thanks for bringing a smile to my face today. =)

Suzanne Mieso, Cocker Spaniel Rescue of New England, Inc.
A suggestion for future contests: Have a category for rescued dogs - every breed has one. I am a volunteer with Cocker Spaniel Rescue of New England, Inc. We take in abandoned, abused and unwanted cockers, provide them with veterinary care, and find forever homes for them with qualified families. You would be helping every breed rescue group by making the public aware that such organizations exist. And you would be giving thousands of dogs, most of whom come into rescue through no fault of their own, a chance to experience what life should be like, one without fear, hunger and neglect. Thank you.
Good suggestion, Suzanne. We'll be sure to pass it on to Vicki.

Maryann Mendoza, Chicago
Hi! I just ran into this pet picture contest, and I must say they are all something else!! I really love the kitty pics, especially 2 that are spittin images of two of my kitties. I want to say thank you, and I thoroughly enjoyed each and every photo!

Laurie A. Smith
Please, Have Another Contest Soon !!! It was such a great pleasure to see all those beautiful loving pets. I was also moved by the poem written by a dog owner in memory of their precious dog who passed on. I could feel there sadness.

Jane Nixon, Sudbury
Loved the pictures--such cute animals. Aren't we the lucky human beings to have these wonderful animals as our companions through life! I, of course, am partial to my daughter's cat, "Smudge".

Kim, North Dighton
I absolutly loved looking through all the animal photos - especially the dogs. I own 2 dogs a boxer mix and a saint bernard mix and if I could own 100 dogs I would I just love them.

Jennifer Rouse, Reading
This was wonderful! It absolutely made my day looking at these photos. Thank you for sharing them.

May Ann Madlansacay, Somerville
I thought the contest was great. I just wish I knew about it earlier...I would have been able send in my own pictures!

Andrea Durham, Reading
The Winner's Circle photos were GREAT but some of the other categories were pretty ordinary - I wonder why - out of hundreds of photos - those were chosen!? I know it's a matter of personal taste of the judges, so I'm just offering my opinion. I guess I'll enter next year because I have better photos of my cats!!

Kristin Furino, Millis
I didn't even know the contest had happened this year -- I'm SO disappointed. It wasn't advertised nearly as well this year. I had a chance to enter last year and had a great experience. I didn't even know about the published version either!
We are so sorry you missed out this year, Kristin. Vicki Croke wrote about the Boston.com contest in her Animal Beat column several times, and Living/Arts ran a separate story about the contest on the second Living/Arts page once. We advertised it on the homepage of Boston.com for at least a week, with reminders at other times. We plan to do it again next summer -- maybe earlier than August -- so keep watch.

NorthEast Rottweiler Rescue, Westford
We are thrilled to see the photo of the Rotty pups from NorthEast Rottweiler Rescue~!! If you are interested in learning more about Rotty Rescue check out our web site at; WWW.ROTTRESCUE.ORG Read all the stories about the dogs-especially the pups! NorthEast Rottweiler Rescue has 40-50 family type Rottweilers for adoption at all times. All sizes, all ages and all with a solid sense of humor. "Make your next family member an adopted pet from your local Humane Society, Rescue organization or Dog Pound."

Aey, Cambridge
This is great !! I think you did such a wonderful job. Congratulations to all of them ! Hope you will do it again next year. Burger, my Basset Hound, is also one of them this year(in Water sports section). I just added this wonderful news to his hompage, Please feel free to go visit at http://go.to/burger.

Andrew Gouldstone, Cambridge
My day was going SO slowly today, and there was nothing particularly special about it. I jumped on to boston.com looking something up, and I ran into your contest. I looked at all the pics and picked a few favorites of my own. Thanks for makin me smile this morning. :)

Janis Moore, Methuen
fabulous photos~!!

You should have a contest EVERY month~!!!!

Would love to know the NorthEast Rottweiler Rescues Web Page URL. Do you think you could put it up under their photo for us interested folks?

Those puppies were VERY lucky to end up in a dedicated rescue. I hope they all get the PERMENANT homes they rightly deserve~!! Thanks

R. Boughrum, Sudbury
It may be the first use of the Internet for a photo contest. How many entries were received and what percentage were electronic?
Very interesting point about this being the first use of the Internet for a photo contest, slthough given the number of Websites out there, I bet someone, somewhere has done this before. As for your questions: We received about 500 entries -- about 400 electronically, and about 100 via snail mail. We posted about 100 photos. (P.S. Your Westies are very cute.)

Michelle Capano, Nahant
Absolutely the best!

But then, for those not selected or sent - all god's animals great and small are treasures. Thank you for a beautiful photographic exhibit. We can certainly look forward to next year.

Rachel, Brighton
What a great "get-away" from work! Our pets our so important in our lives and this is wonderful way to share them with others. Just looking at them immediately reduces my stress levels. (I need this everyday at work!)

There is nothing as special as our pets and this is great forum to remind us of that bond.

Carolynn Pelloux, Boston
Loved all the pictures, especially of the white kitty stretched out belly up on the sofa. I always looked for this special in the paper and am fortunate to be able to view on-line. Woudn't it be nice if you could devote some space in the living section,as in the past, to post some of the winners so those that don't have access to the internet could enjoy it also. I'm sure alot of your readers would be greatful!!!!!!!!
A lot of people have been disappointed that the Globe's Living section decided not to run the Pet Contest this year. I'm really not sure of the reasons why, but when we at Boston.com found out, we decided to take it over. I am forwarding all of the comments like yours to the Living/Arts editors, so maybe they will decide to reinstate it in print next year.

Jennifer, Cambridge
I wish we had known, Romeo would have loved to show himself off. Next time I'll be sure to send a picture or two. To all who won the contest: you're beautiful!!!

Jinhee Salzman, Newton
I was disappointed not to find the picture we submitted in the selection (I held out hope until scrolling through to the very last one). Oh well!
Yeah, that's the nature of any contest: You inevitably will disappoint those whose photos you don't choose. We're proud of the fact that of nearly 500 photos submitted, we were able to post about 100. But for the other 400 owners, that's small consolation. But like we say about the Red Sox, there's always next year.

Bobbi Giese, Hampton
When I went into the web site for the pictures, all I did was chuckle - the pictures are great, I can see why it was hard to choose - keep up the good work!

Bonnie Donahue, Acton
Fabulous! Do it again...SOON !!

Ripley B. Young, Newton
I knew I should have gotten a better beauty nights sleep rather than burying the bone the night before the photo shoot! I thought I had picked the best hair pieces and accessories... Oh Well, A boxer is a boxer is a boxer...

But not a pretty pretty girl girl boxer like me!

Great Contest and Very Fun.

Ripley and my owner/friend Stanton

Stephanie Yankun, Milton
This is the cutest thing I have ever seen. The pictures people submited were great and it is hysterical to see the funny things pets do. Thanks for brighening my day.

Dottie the Wonder Dog, Arlington
I LOVE your Pet Contest site. So many pretty doggies ... none are as pretty as me, but they can't help that. My favorite doggie is Duffy, the first photo in the Picture Perfect category. Do you know, is he single? He lives in Waltham, which is right next to Arlington... (hint, hint)

Jeanne MacKay, Tewksbury
I just looked at all the pet pictures on your website. What a delight! I laughed out loud when I came across the picture of Darren, the Golden Retriever, who had his legs on the ground, head on the table and backside resting on the couch. It must have been difficult picking out the winning animals but you all did a super job.

Carol Boughrum
I am please that my Westie pups are among your winners. It was great fun to see the wonderful caliber of the photos submitted.

Stacy Spumberg, Somerville
Great choices- wish I had known about the photo contest. I have some definite winners! Maybe next year.

J.S. Staffier, Boston
I'd like to offer my set of books (4) series, "Casey the Beacon Hill Cat" to be offered to the Grand Prize Winner next year. Interested? They can be seen on my website: /www.BostonArtBoutique.com
J.S., thanks for the nice offer. We'll leave it up to Vicki to decide whether she will take you up on it.