Is it just me, or are Americans growing more pet crazy than ever? Stories abound on how while we may be cutting back on gifts for the help, we're spending more and more on our pets. The Today Show frequently airs Pets and Animals segments, featuring stories on everything from how to get your pet into showbiz to the world's tallest dog.

So as is a mainstay among journalists of every shape and creed, here's my Top Starpet stories for 2009:

Bo Obama, courtesy of the White House

Dogs, dogs and more dogs....

BO: When then candidate Obama promised to get a dog for his girls after the election, I doubt he was aware of the debate that would rage until Bo finally showed up. Mutt or pedigree? Shelter or breeder? Pet-friendly blogs debated the merits and then word of a Portuguese Water Dog from Senator Ted kennedy was announced. Where was the promised rescue, humane societies asked? Complaints mounted, until a happy puppy named Bo charmed the world along with the First Family. Bo now clearly steals every interview he appears in, and is even referred to as the President's only 'son.'

SNOOPY:  In celebration of its 125th anniversary, the American Kennel Club joined forces with PawNation.com to ask the public’s help in ranking its nominations for the top 125 dogs in pop culture. Number One: Charlie Brown's four-legged buddy, Snoopy. You can download the entire list by clicking here.

STUMP: It a cold day in February when an 10-year old dog named Stump showed the world that yes, old dogs can learn new tricks when the Sussex spaniel who returned from a retirement to participate in one last canine competition unexpectedly won the Westminster Dog Show, the eldest dog ever to do so.

In addition, this year more and more celebrity dogs made headlines: who could forget Mickey Rourke thanking his caboodle of canines during his  Golden Globes acceptance speech. "I'd like to thank all my dogs. The ones that are here, the ones that aren't here anymore. Because sometimes when a man's alone, that's all you got is your dog. And they've meant the world to me," he said. And then there was the sad story of Oprah's puppy,  a blonde cocker spaniel puppy named Ivan, who died of parvovirus. And of course, who could forget Jessica Simpson and one thieving coyote?

Susan Boyle & her calico, Pebbles

Feline Frenzies:

For the feline-lovers out there, Cats also made headlines this year.

PEBBLES: Yes, Susan Boyle dumbfounded callous judges and audiences alike when she opened her mouth to sing, but it was when she cried out for her beloved calico, Pebbles that pet-lovers everywhere understood. Since her appearance on Oprah, Pebbles has her own Twitter-cast and a song -- recorded in her honor by the Corrigan Brothers. What's next -- hmmmm, maybe her own reality show?

NORA: Across the pond, another cat was not accompanying singers on TV, she was accompanying singers on the piano! The fabulously talented Nora appeared on TV tinkling the ivories to her very own compositions, and inspiring the likes of Billy Joel and others.

Planet of the Chimps:

Then there were the more exotic pets:

TRAVIS the Chimp: In February 2009, Travis, a petstar in his adolescence who appeared in television commercials for Coca-Cola and Old Navy as well as in a television pilot that featured Sheryl Crow and Michael Moore, viscously attacked his owner's friend, Charla Nash. Police called into investigate shot the chimp several times before he bled to death. Shortly thereafter, several laws were introduced at both the federal and state levels that ban the private possession of nonhuman primates as pets.

BUBBLES: Another Chimp ended up in the spotlight upon the death of pop star, Michael Jackson. Bubbles lived with the pop star and was his constant companion for many years until he grew older and his behavior became erratic. He was then moved to a primate sanctuary in Florida -- a setting more suitable, one would imagine, than a private mansion.
 

Pets bring us so much joy and comfort: here's to all the four-legged companions that made us smile, laugh and just be better humans in 2009!