And the Grand Prize winner is...

Mouse, Ziggy and Sophie

Congratulations to Robin Wilson of Hawley, Pennsylvania, whose photo of her sink kitties was chosen as the Grand Prize winner of our 2006 Pet Pals photo contest.

This was a VERY tough choice, as the judges liked so many of the finalists. But after polling AARP staff and discussing the different photos, we agreed that this was our winning photo. We loved the photo (three sleeping cats in a sink?!) as well as the story behind it. So again, our congratulations to Robin!

For those of you whose photos didn't appear here, our apologies! We received around 15,000 photos, and just couldn't post them all. However, we will be posting additional photos after the New Year, so be sure to visit regularly to see still more great pet photos!

Thanks again to all and happy holidays from the AARP Pet Pals Team!

By a whisker...

It's official...we have our LAST Weekly Winner: it's Simba, taken by Bob Garas of Clermont, Florida. The voting was extremely tight, but the judges had to give the nod to Simba for the incredible expression captured.

That said, just as we have in weeks past, we like to recognize your other clear favorites, and have awarded an Honorable Mention to Patsy Pratte for Jack Pratte the Bulldog and his Maltese cousins.

We'll be announcing the Grand Prize Winner later today and then we'll be taking a short holiday break until the New Year. After that, while the contest will be over, we're going to continue to post some of our favorite photos from the thousands we received.

Thanks to all who sent in photos, who voted, and who left comments! We couldn't have done it without you!

Week 13 Poll

Voting is closed on this poll. Click on the "Continue reading" link to see the results.

Four's company!

We have our next Weekly Winners: it's Skippy and Logan (front row), Sutton and Roman (back row), taken by Chandra Pivo of Inglewood, California. In a close contest this week, her four happy dogs edged out the other contestants and wowed the judges.

Thanks to all who voted! If you missed any, be sure to check out all of our past weekly winners.

Just one more week left!

Gimme five for an awesome contest!

Samantha

Photo by: Penny Reese, Las Vegas, Nevada

After 13 weeks of beautiful, funny, strange, silly and heartwarming pet photos, our little contest is about to draw to a close. But although we are no longer accepting submissions, we still need your input! We'll be announcing our final Weekly Winner and the Grand Prize Winner next Wednesday, December 20. We'll be posting polls soon, but in the meantime visit all your favorites and comment, comment comment!

And we have great news--although the contest is over, we've decided to make pet photos a permanent addition to AARP.org. So after we all ring in the New Year, we'll also be posting new pet photos--so stay tuned! Thanks so much for a wonderful contest--and good luck to all the finalists!

Daily Winner, December 14

On Dasher, on Dancer, on Slobber...!

Jack Pratte the Bulldog and his Maltese cousins

Photo by: Patsy Pratte, Desloge, Missouri

Honorable Mention, Week 13
Daily Winner, December 13

Meowy Christmas!

Simba

Photo by: Bob Garas, Clermont, Florida

Weekly Winner, Week 13
Daily Winner, December 12

Why should only my name be in lights?

Rocky

Photo by: Debbie and Jerry Carroll, Bristol, Virginia

Debbie writes, "This is our 9-year-old Australian Shepherd mix, Rocky. He is a good sport, even about decorating for Christmas!"

Daily Winner, December 11

You Write The Caption!

Scampi

Photo by: Ann Robertson, Dallas, Texas

We're back! Due to polling software issues, we decided to hold off on posting Friday's winner to give you more time to vote. Now, tell us what you think about Scampi's "makeover" by clicking the "Comments" link below!

Daily Winner, December 8

Week 12 Poll

Voting is closed on this poll. Click on the "Continue reading" link to see the results.

And it's Furball!

We have our next Weekly Winner: it's Furball, taken by Daisy Wohlford of Salinas, California. That's quite the expression, and nearly 1/3 of you voted for it as your favorite this week.

A belated congratulations to Sue Carper of Coulters, Pennsylvania (Harley) and Carolyn Tracy of Sterling, Virginia (Mr. Gizmo). They were recent Weekly Winners, and we missed noting that over the holidays.

Thanks to all who voted! If you missed any, be sure to check out all of our past weekly winners.

We have just two more weeks of the contest to go!

Sometimes it's the little gestures that mean the most.

Gracie and Timmy

Photo by: Becky, Lexington, Texas

Becky writes, "My kitty 'Timmy' has since passed away but he and Gracie were such pals--always playing. He was my 'lap cat' for 12 years. He’s in a better place now but he sure is missed."

Do you have fond memories of a beloved pet who has passed away? Tell us in the "Comments" section below.

Daily Winner, December 7

I TOLD you Mom would punish us for trying to paint the barn!

Pistolo Pietro ("Pete") and Quasar Star ("Q")

Photo by: Shary Russell, Lexington, Texas

Paw-purr-ee selection, December 7

We cloned ourselves--now we're waiting for the mothership to beam us up.

Skippy and Logan (front row), Sutton and Roman (back row)

Photo by: Chandra Pivo, Inglewood, California

Says Chandra, "These four have so much fun together--but who's who?" Roman, who can take a bow, has helped his owner Chandra who was born with Cerebral Palsy. Chandra trained Roman from a pup to help her with walking through crowds of people, up and down stairs, picking things up, and much more. Roman and Chandra also visit retirement centers and schools to give demonstrations on the importance of Service Dogs as well as giving everyone an amazing show when he performs all of his tricks.

Weekly Winner, Week 12
Daily Winner, December 6

I woke up on the wrong side of the dog bed this morning!

Isabella Karamella Capriccio, aka "Izzy"

Photo by: Nancy Eileen Langworthy, Hudsonville, Michigan

Says Nancy, "Izzy is our adorable 7 month old Chihuhua...She enjoys dressing up and going bye-bye because she always gets lots of attention from people who see her and wonder what type of dog she is because she is cuter than the average Chihuahua!...She has an older brother Dexter who is a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and weighs 10 times her weight, but that doesn't hold her back from playing chase with him in the yard. She also has 3 cat sisters who she loves to play with."

Daily Winner, December 5

A tisket, a tasket, fat cat in a basket

Sarge

Photo by: Janet Meeks, Katy, Texas

Paw-purr-ee selection, December 5

"Why I oughtta..." "Nyah nyah nyah!"

"T" and Louie

Photo by: Kris Hughes, Hampton, Virginia

Daily winner, December 4

You Write the Caption!

Hoagan

Photo by: Mary Smith, Smithville, Tennessee

Says Mary, "His name is 'Sir Hoagan, Master of the Warriors.' Hoagan is fun loving, and quite a little clown. He's very healthy. He's just spoiled rotten!"

What do YOU think Master Hoagan is saying here? Let us know in the "Comments" section below!

Daily winner, December 1

Week 11 Poll

Voting is closed on this poll. Click on the "Continue reading" link to see the results.