Pet of the Year 2025 Contestants

Yuki & Oliver

Oliver is a 13 yo Boston Terrier and retired mountaineer who now prefers radiant heat and a sheepskin rug to altitude gain. He has opinions. Mostly “don’t bother me.” He’s earned them. Yuki is the young pitsky rescue who moved here with no prior mountain life experience. First week in the house and she took a flying leap off the second-floor deck aiming right at the back of a young moose munching on my planter. Later that week she stole a deer leg from a mountain lion stash. Somehow still alive. We don’t ask questions. Oliver is allowed to be grumpy. Yuki respects it, letting him have the first treats. And she has decided she is the security detail for every vulnerable nervous system in this house — Oliver, the kiddo, and myself included. Threats may include flies, tickles, and loud snoring. But she stays vigilant. A sage elder who already did the impossible, next to a young mountain immigrant who still believes impossible things are reasonable to attempt.

Catone

Catone is a handsome tuxedo with big beautiful yellow eyes, but he is not our cat. Catone is one of our two very friendly furry neighbors and part of their daily routine includes a visit to our when they make their rounds between their back yard and our back yard. Catone usually has a lot to say when he visits and has a jet engine purr motor that shakes the floor. He loves to play fetch, and when he visits, always has time for a game of fetch with his mousey toy that he leaves in our living room. Catone also loves to be pet and sometimes, if his busy cat schedule allows him to, he'll hang out a little longer to watch tv from one of our laps or make himself comfortable among the fleece throws in our papasan chairs. Our furry neighbor visits always brighten our day!

Stickle

Stickle is a true Nederland dog. His hobbies include squirrel hunting, fly hunting, herding and getting treats from the various businesses in town. His favorite cheeses include feta, goat cheese and blue cheese.

Wicket

Wicket is a very happy little boy. He loves to say hello to people and loves to give kisses.

Stevie Nicks

I got this sweet little lady, Stevie Nicks, when she was six weeks old. She will be eight years old on November 21. She’s always been the sweetest, most lovable and playful girl. She’s never met a stranger: human or four-legged. She loves to cuddle, find sticks that are way too big for her, and eat BBQ potato chips.

Bubba Ghanoosh

Bubba makes the cutest faces. He truly thinks he’s a person, and he makes us laugh daily! Any pet that can bring this much joy to our lives has a special gift. He even lets us brush his teeth!

Riley Ann

The happiest little girl you will ever meet. Loves her mom very very much and freaks out if she cannot see her. Loves her toys and annoying anyone in proximity to her, and can't resist going down any slide she comes across.

Trevor

Trevor is a curious kitty with a great sense of humor. He loves to help change the sheets, and thinks it fun if they rip during the process. He loves helping empty the dishwasher by spinning the propeller. Trevor loves novelty. Anything that I change he wants. Like if he doesn’t want. eat his food, all I have to do is put it in a different room and that’s a novelty. Trevor is also a very gifted couch artist. All the furniture in the house has deep holes and stuffing bursting out of it from his constant need to create.. Another thing he enjoys is sitting in tiny spaces. We have to have the same Halloween bucket out all year round on the coffee table so that he can sit in it. And lastly, he does love to sneak out the back door and make me chase him all around the yard because that’s super funny for him.. my favorite part about Trevor is that he loves to sleep right next to m me and lay his head down on my pillow.

Rufus

Rufus brings his signature four S skills to the world: sleeping, snoring, stinkers, and slinging slobber with elite precision. He’s the bulldog who turns every mountain morning into a laugh, and he carries himself with the confidence of a champion who knows the crown already belongs to him.

Fern

Fern was shy when we first got her but warmed up to us quickly. When we clean her cage, she goes into our lap, hands, or arms, and cuddles up. She’ll be on the floor sometimes to explore but does not run away and will stay in our vision always. She nibbles on our fingers sometimes and lets up ‘Boop’ her nose! Fern is the best mouse!!!

You

You is an almost 3 year old siamese mix. He loves to jump up into the air and fetch kitty treats. He also loves to play outside when the weather is nice and sit in the window when it snows, watching the world go by in true cat fashion. He sleeps right on his owner at night, gently wagging his tail back and forth across her nose, just to make sure she knows he's there.