2012 was an interesting year for my dogs and me. After experiencing a major life challenge in 2011, I thought I was in the clear for a better year in 2012. And a lot of great things did happen this year…but then life handed me yet another major challenge a couple months ago. Even though the year didn’t end the way I’d planned, the fact that my dogs — Happy and Joey– love me just as much as always makes all the rest somehow manageable  This year Happy and Joey fully welcomed their transition from city dogs to suburbs dogs with their very own fenced in yard. They also became foster brothers as I took in my first foster dog. And they even had me running back and forth to the vet in a panic a couple times.

Happy and Joey are among my favorite things of 2012 and after the jump you’ll find a few of my favorite Pawesome posts from 2012.

• My First Foster Pup is Adopted – Writing for Pawesome, scouting story ideas and reading my fellow writer’s posts inspired me to get more involved with animal rescue. Taking in my first foster dog Lady and seeing her through to adoption was a highlight of my year, and also of my Pawesome posts. I really enjoyed documenting the experience here at Pawesome and now I have foster dog #3.
• If You See Something, Do Something - In the same realm, Sonia’s story of rescuing a gravely injured kitten on the side of the freeway is a touching and inspiring read. That kitty, Wolfe, was given a second chance at life and went on to be adopted too.
• The Quiet Storm - Jolene’s post about Margot, a dog who saved her family from Hurricane Katrina. Margot is deaf and as a result her other senses are hyper tuned. In the days leading up to the storm, Margot’s behavior changed dramatically and her humans took it as a warning to evacuate.