2012 was a strange, pivotal year for all the beings in my household: including this little Boston called Gida. Some great things happened this year, including promotions, trips, and wonderful experiences — new and familiar — alongside new and familiar folks. Still, clouds swept over sunnier times again and again. A lot of people I know, including me, lost loved ones this year: parents, siblings, children, and pets. Life-changing issues challenged our family and friends. Most notably in the pet realm, Gida fell off a cliff, health-wise, this year. She was consistently spritely and terrier-like. Then, in her 11th birthday year, she wasn’t. Though some of her health mysteries were solved — her organs were clean, but she’s now creaky, making it hurt more to sit, eat, and move — there are still unresolved issues as we step into 2013.

I’m nonetheless feeling very fortunate to have lived and laughed with wonderful humans and animals this year. Pawesome played no small part in that, so here’s a recap of a few of my favorite posts this year.

As purveyors of cute media, what are our responsibilities? I explored this question in a spring post. I love sloths as much as the next gal (boy do I ever!), but this post got me thinking about how, if presented incorrectly, it may feed a black-market desire for endangered wild animals. A sloth-in-pajamas video is not the same thing as stealing and selling them as pets, of course. But I still think about the connection between the two.

I chronicled Gida’s health issues in a few posts, but I like this one about the pet-health rollercoaster coming to a stop. I’m still heartened by all we learned this year about her health and general well-being. We’ll take that knowledge into the new year, as we try to answer other questions, including why she seems disoriented and anxious. Oldening? Cognitive disorder? We’ll find out soon enough.

Around Thanksgiving, we thanked our favorite rescue groups and individuals. I tipped my hat to Susi Ming at Bull Terrier Rescue. Viva eggheads!

I went to France this year and found (was looking for?) references to cats, or les chats. I wrote about it because I was that excited to report my findings.

L’chaim (to life) to you and yours for the new year!

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