We can hardly contain ourselves in the office when an amazing animal story comes to our attention. 2012 was full of stories that not only made us smile, laugh, and sometimes tear up a little, but that clearly touched you strongly enough for you to pause and click that little ‘like’ button on our Facebook page.

See what made you and your fellow Facebookers express yourselves with our 12 most-liked animal stories below.

TODAY

12. Obie the obese dog works toward weight loss   
With 12,403 likes on our Facebook page, Obie's struggle with losing weight captured the hearts of TODAY viewers. He weighed twice the average for a dachshund at 77 pounds. We've been keeping up with Obie's struggle, which included a custody battle in October, and wish the best for this overweight pooch!

Nathan Edwards / Newspix via Rex USA

11. Dolphin and seal are underwater BFFs
When we see two different animal species become unlikely best buds, we just can't resist sharing their story with you! Jet the dolphin and Miri the seal have been inseparable since they were only two months old. While their friendship may be unlikely, especially since in the wild they would be competing for fish, it was not surprising that this post received 13,130 likes on our Facebook page.

Rob Leeson / Newspix via Rex USA

10. Cuddle buddies! Orphaned kangaroo and wombat become best friends 
Another unlikely animal friendship that captured our hearts and yours in 2012 was that of Anzac, an orphaned 5-month-old kangaroo, and Peggy, an orphaned 5-month-old baby wombat. These two both lost their mothers but ended up forming a bond with each other. 14,445 people liked this story on our Facebook page.

Caters News Agency

9. Meet Emma, the tiny donkey with a pink prosthetic leg
It's clear this inspiring recovery story was irresistible, getting 14,734 likes on our Facebook page. This miniature donkey foal was born with a deformed leg and was finally able to walk after a custom-fit pink prosthetic was made just for her. I dare you to look at the above photo and not smile! 

TODAY

8. Girl's best friend is a dog who carries her oxygen
This touching story illustrates how much a dog really can be a kid's best friend. Suffering from a rare lung disease, 3-year-old Alida is able to live more of a normal life thanks to her service dog Mr. Gibbs. Her amazing story garnered 15,264 likes on our Facebook page.

Adam Hunger / Reuters

7. Rush is on to rescue animals stranded in Sandy's wake
Everyone pulled together to help people and animals alike in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. This touching story of rescue workers helping animals stranded by Sandy, with resources on how you can help, received 16,580 likes on Facebook.

Courtesy Larassa Kabel

6. The 2012 White House holiday card stars Bo!
Who can resist the adorable first dog? This beautiful wintry image of Bo earned 18,322 likes on Facebook.

Marisa Papile Urbano/Facebook

5. Facebook campaign gets kids 100,000 'Likes,' 1 cat
Our story about two adorable kids adopting a shelter cat thanks to their social media-savvy mom and more than 100,000 Facebook users received 21,061 likes on our Facebook page. From the happy looks on their faces in the photo above, we can only image what they looked like when they reached their goal!

Casey Gutteridge / SWNS.com

4. 8 photos of a puppy and kitten who think they're sisters
There really isn't anything more we can say about this cute story that got 23,981 likes on our Facebook page other than: Awww!

Marina Cano / Solent News via Rex USA

3. A mother's determination: Elephant rescues baby trapped in mud
No matter what the species, this story showed that a mom will do anything for her child. On our Facebook page this heartwarming story received 29,556 likes.

TODAY

2. Two-faced kitty is drawing double takes across Web
Don't worry, Photoshop had nothing to do with this cat's striking features! Venus, a cat with two different color eyes and fur that is divided right down the middle between black and ginger, became a viral sensation on Reddit, Facebook and in a YouTube video with more than 600,000 views. This story received 38,773 likes on our Facebook page.

Hannah Stonehouse Hudson/Stoneho

1. In loving arms: Man floats his sick dog to sleep, becomes Internet sensation
How can I put into words how this story of unconditional love touched us all? For 19 years John Unger's loyal companion was his dog Schoep and when he learned his dog had severe arthritis and might have had to be put down he was devastated — and also determined to help alleviate his friend's pain. He brought Schoep to a lake, where he hoped his dog could feel weightless and relaxed.

A photo of his caring act was uploaded on Facebook and soon went viral. The story received 51,909 likes on our Facebook page, and the reaction was felt by Unger himself. Strangers began reaching out to help and when we last caught up with Unger the resulting treatments had helped Schoep immensely.

What TODAY animal story of 2012 did you like most? Tell us which one of the stories above you liked most or if you enjoyed a different one more in the comments below!

TODAY.com producer Lisa Granshaw just can't get enough of these inspiring, adorable animal stories. She is excited to see what antimal stories 2013 will hold!

More:

• Dog lost in the snow for two weeks is found after search goes viral
• Owner of viral sensation IKEA monkey wants him back
• Video: Boy, beaver wave to each other at zoo
• Your 11 top animal stories of 2011

Kayleigh O'Connor

"The Shining" nail art

For British nail artist Kayleigh O'Connor, dressing up your hands isn't something to do just for Halloween, it's an everyday hobby. The 25-year-old from Birmingham, England got her start as a teenager 9 years ago when she started using simple, plain colors to cover up her badly-bitten nails.

Kayleigh O'Connor

"Hocus Pocus"

Now her intricate pop culture and 3D designs are receiving international attention since she began posting photos of them on Facebook and deviantArt.

Kayleigh O'Connor

"Harry Potter" sorting hat design

"I was just happy to have a hobby that I enjoy so I have been amazed at all the positive feedback I've been getting online through it, I'm really amazed!" O'Connor, who recently got a university degree in media and communications, told TODAY.com in an email.  

Kayleigh O'Connor

"Doctor Who" Eleventh Doctor

As complicated as her designs appear they don't take her long to create at all. When O'Connor gets an idea she jumps right in, taking about 10 minutes to plan the design and 1 to 2 hours to complete a set.

"My favorite thing about starting a new set is working out what to put on each nail (and seeing it all come together in the end). And wearing them, of course!" said O'Connor, who is setting up a small video production company with friends.

Kayleigh O'Connor

"Batman"

While replicating her intricate designs may seem daunting to a nail art newbie, O'Connor shared with us some simple steps you can take to give your nails a Halloween theme this year with one of her "The Shining" designs.

Kayleigh O'Connor

Give yourself "The Shining" Grady twins and carpet nails.

Tutorial for "The Shining" Grady twins and carpet pattern nails:

Materials

• Seven different shades of nail polish (light blue, cream, white, pink, orange, brown and red)
• A thin paintbrush or toothpick

Kayleigh's tutorial

1. I decided to paint the Grady twins’ dresses on my ring and middle fingers but you can choose any two of your nails which you think will be best. The first step is to paint both nails light blue and then wait for these to dry.
2. From now on you must use a thin paintbrush or a toothpick to create the look for the rest of the outfits. Once the blue has dried, use a cream colored varnish to paint thin triangles on both sides of these nails. These act as the twins’ arms and create the dress shapes.
3. Use a white varnish to paint two small, joined semi-circles at the tips of the nails to create a collar. Then, add dots to the ‘sleeves’ of the dresses to create a frilly look.
4. Now use a pink varnish to paint a thin line across the middle of the dresses, where you imagine the waist would fall.
5. Little flicks with the pink varnish (falling downwards from the center of the line) create ribbons, completing the dresses.
6. Moving on to the rest of the design, begin by painting your other nails orange and wait for these to dry.
7. Paint a brown line upwards from your cuticle, stopping around two thirds of the way up your nails. Use your paintbrush or toothpick for this and for the next steps if you find this easier.
8. Create a 'V’ shape on top of this line, connecting it with the top corners of your nails.
9. Leaving a gap for the orange to show through, use the 'Y' shape you’ve now created as a guide to complete the other brown sections of the carpet pattern.
10. Fill in the top and side areas with red varnish as shown and the design is finished! After everything dries, use a clear top coat to give the nails an extra sleek finish and to prevent the design from chipping.

Now that you know how to create this design you will be able to feature the Grady girls on your nails “for ever, and ever, and ever…”  Happy Halloween!

TODAY.com writer Lisa Granshaw just had to talk to O'Connor after seeing her "Harry Potter" sorting hat nails. If she had an ounce of artistic talent, she would definitely try to replicate that design for Halloween!

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• Bobbie's buzz: DIY costume ideas
• Hottest nail polish colors for fall
• Video: Most popular adult Halloween costumes
• Get creative with your nails: 7 awesome nail art ideas