Ah, free stuff.  Who doesn't love free stuff?  It's just like a present, but you aren't required to write a thank-you note or feel like a tool because you didn't get the other person anything.  I'm a huge language/syntax/spelling/grammar geek, so stumbling across these was my version of a mini-Christmas.  Haven't downloaded them yet, but if I suddenly stop blogging for a week, you'll know why.  (Why yes, I am a huge dork.  DON'T JUDGE ME!)

I think winning things is pretty darn cool too, don't you?  I sign up to win stuff at my two favorite radio stations' websites all the time.  Sometimes I do win--stuff like tickets to see the latest Winnie the Pooh movie and CDs I don't really want, but whatever.  I won!  I can feel like a champion who is way, way better than anyone else for the simple fact that I lucked out.  No skill required!  No work required!  Winning is seriously the best.

But I lie.  You know what's the best?  Being awarded something--and that happened to me!  I get something, it's free, I feel lucky, and I maybe even sort of deserved it!  (Or at least fooled someone into thinking I did...)

So, without further ado...

LOOKEEY WHAT I GOT!

The lovely, lovely (you're my favorite) Jo at "The Bright Yellow Balloon" thinks I'm cute!  Or my blog is, anyway.  Or my dog.  Whatever.

Das Rules:

1. Link back to the person who awarded you. (Check!)
2. Follow the blog of the person who gave you this award.  (Check!)
3. Proudly display this award on your blog.  (Check!)
4. List 5 of your favorite things.  (Cheating!)
5. Pass this award on to 5 fellow bloggers.  (Cheating!)

I'm mashing those last two rules into one and then mixing in a healthy dose of "this is not at all what the inventor of this award meant."  I'm going to list five of my favorite dogs I've featured in the past, and instead of awarding new bloggers, I'm awarding these dogs.  They're cute, and you should follow their stories.  I can't wait until the day that all of these dogs have their forever home!

#1:  Bob

Bob is one seriously chill dude who's foster mom can't say enough good things about him, but he's still waiting...

#2:  Noodles

Do you guys remember Noodles?  He was the first dog I featured, and since the last time I checked in on him, he's found his new family!  Yay, Noodles!

#3:  Trapper

Trapper's story is so sad--remember how he was caught in that animal trap, and then the first shelter he went to wasn't able to provide the care he needed?  Well, look at him now!  He's come a long way from the frightened, pain-ridden guy he used to be.  I seriously love his smile in this new picture.

#4:  Dora

This pretty girl has been adopted recently, too!  (But really, who could resist that face?)

#5:  Prada.

That's what Prada looked like when she was brought to the shelter a yeat ago.  She was a matted mess with a broken leg and a happy grin.  This is the photo I first fell in love with, and now my computer is chock-full of files crammed with pics of this girl.  She's down a leg and lots of snarls, but that grin hasn't changed a bit.


(True:  Prada is going to be featured in the newsletter of the humane society where I adopted her!  I'll keep you posted...)

Doesn't Sunny look like she's looking for something in this picture?  I'll tell you what she's looking for--you.