The entries were so nice, they had to choose twice.

The Michigan Humane Society's (MHS) 2012 Online Pet Photo Contest is over, and the votes are in, with a first: Two pets will hold the honor of 2012 Pet of the Year.

Sarah Bliss of Royal Oak and 12-year-old Arleigh Parr of Bloomfield studiously campaigned for their pets, both raising more than $3,000. For their hard work, Bliss's dog Odie, a three-legged, 2-year-old Boxer/Shar Pei mix, and Parr's pooch Gideon, which Parr calls an "8-month-old wonder mutt," are sharing the acclaim.

Besides the ladies' pooches being named Pet of the Year, Odie and Gideon will be specially featured as “Pet of the Month” in the MHS 2013 Pet Calendar. Parr and Bliss will both receive tickets to April's 2012 Bow Wow Brunch — valued at $400 — plus an MHS prize pack, and special recognition at the 2012 Mega March for Animals this fall.

“What a great result, and congratulations to Arleigh and Gideon and Sarah and Odie for an incredible campaign,” said Michael Robbins, MHS vice president of Marketing and Communications. “Because of their efforts, MHS will be able to change more animal lives and make more happy endings possible. Thank you so much to them and to everyone who participated.”
 
Third place honors went to Sumo, a 10-year-old Pug/Beagle mix, and his owner, Pamela Fendelet. They will also receive an MHS prize pack. Fendelet and Sumo raised more than $1,000 for the MHS. Overall, this year’s pet photo contest raised enough money to help more than 75 animals.
 
For more information on the Michigan Humane Society, visit www.michiganhumane.org or call 1-866-MHUMANE (648-6263).