A shout-out to Nesties with furbabies: We’re looking for your hilarious photo and story submissions for our weekly Pet Confessional! Maybe kitty had a not-so-friendly encounter with the real-life Pepe le Pew and spent the next week in odor detox. Maybe puppy couldn’t resist using his own arm as a fuzzy rawhide…and the anti-lick collar prescribed by the vet transformed him into a little satellite dish with legs. Or maybe Fido is a closet doggie clothes-o-phile and begs to get dressed up in the new pet line from The Limited.

No matter your furball’s misdemeanor disobedience, we want to hear about it! Check out past pet confessionals for inspiration, and send your incriminating photo with a short story explaining the crime to pets@theknot.com. You just might see your friend featured in a future Pet Confessional post!

What big ears we've got. The better to be adorable with! On the left, it's Macy, the grinning Jack Russell terrier. And on the right, it's Allie, the basset hound who can practically take flight with her floppy ears. Both these guys definitely deserve a treat...but which is this week's top smile-inducing dog?

Most people who’ve added a furry friend as their plus-one can vouch that they love sharing a pet together and their pet adds happiness to their relationship. Don’t believe them? A study of 240 couples by the University at Buffalo found that those who take care of cats or dogs “have closer relationships, are more satisfied in marriage, and respond better to stress than couples who do not.â€�

Pet-owning couples had overall lower baseline blood pressure and were able to more quickly lower their blood pressure in stressful situations than petless couples. The study also found that couples with pets socialized more in general -- including with each other (which other research has shown aids heart health). "We don't know specifically why this is so,� said research scientist Karen Allen, the author of the study. “Pet owners may be the kind of people who inherently seek out more social contact. On the other hand, there may be something in the relationship between people and pets that enhances social interaction.�

Nesties, what do you think? Has your furbaby improved your family’s nest?

Buying gifts for the holiday season rewards both you and your giftee -- especially if it’s for a worthy cause! According to the Humane Society of the United States, animal shelters take in between six and eight million animals every year -- about half of which must be euthanized due to a lack of resources. You can always take action by donating to the Humane Society, the ASPCA, and to local animal shelters. And now, many of these amazing organizations are making it even easier to get involved...just log on and shop!

We love the ADOPT leash and collar line, pictured at left, from the Pixie Project, a nonprofit adoption center dedicated to finding homes for rescue animals in Portland, Oregon. Nylon reflective leashes and collars are a perfect gift to protect a friend’s pup while making a statement. They start at $8, and 100 percent of the profits are donated to animal rescue. Also check out Bidawee, a New York shelter, for adorable totes ($10) and umbrellas ($15) -- proceeds also support animal adoption.

Photo Credit: Laura Blair, Pixie Project

You’ve been itching to dress your pet in stylish doggie duds that will have all her neighborhood friends howling the moment you hit the streets. And with winter’s impending chill, you have good reason to have fun outfitting her with a little flair. Check out this adorable winter wear and nab just the right fashion statement for your furbaby.

She runs, she drools…she scores! Your sporty dog will blend right in with your Super Bowl festivities in this Oscar Newman knit sweater, featuring a hand-cut, faux leather football applique and stripes up the sleeves. $35

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