Cole was just a few weeks old when he joined the McDowell family last spring. Terri McDowell, of Lawrence, submitted the photo.

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Sarah, from Minnesota, has a smile that will make you smile. Jill Johnson, of Eudora, submitted the photo.

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The best of friends: Willie the cat would cuddle with Otis until the dog passed away. Willie and the rest of the family still miss Otis. Diana Chamberlain, of Lawrence, submitted the photo.

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Lily, 10 months old, was adopted from a beagle rescue. She spent her early life in the streets and joined Kathryn and Bill Tuttle, of Lawrence, for Christmas.

Puddy is an ornery fellow, but his owners love him anyway. He belongs to Bud and Donna Reynolds, of Baldwin City.

Madie dresses up for the holidays. The 3-year-old Havanese belongs to Carol Van Wyk, of Lawrence.

Ketzel helps her family with their taxes. Don't forget - they're due Tuesday! She belongs to Rick and Victoria Cagan, of Lawrence.

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Philip Seymour Hoffman, a 9-month-old Bichon Frise, belongs to Jake Butler, of Lawrence.

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ZuZu, a therapy animal, belongs to Gloria Gomez, of Lawrence. "Zuzu" means little girl in Swahili. Gloria chose Zuzu's name after hearing it on "Animal Planet."

Ruby and Fluffy are entranced when a squirrel livens up their usual bird-watching show. Ruby and Fluffy belong to Sandy and Ed O'Brien, Lawrence.

Fifteen-year-old Amber was not as enthusiastic as the rest of the family when it came time to open Christmas presents last year. She belongs to Royce and Cathy Parsons and Bill Van Reekum, all of Lawrence.

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Dandy, 2, has it made. When she's not running and chasing birds, she rests up in her favorite spot. She lives with Darlene and Neal Hart, Lawrence.

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We're retired! Jinxie, a 19-year-old Bengal, and Daisy Duke, a farm cat from Beaver, Okla., live with Dee Anne Waters, of Lawrence.

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Abigail anxiously attempts to get down from the tree she climbed, and her sibling, Daisy heads up halfway to help. This was their first and last time up the tree. They belong to Alison Enick, of Lawrence.

Phog and Sassy, both golden retrievers, enjoy napping together. They belong to Doug Vance, of Lawrence.

Dolly Basow, a vizsla owned by Bob and Lynn Basow, loves boxes. She posed for the family calendar in this photo for the month of December.