[Letter from the Editor] Pets are Back!

Before I began printing The Breeze, the former publisher, Jim McCoy, made it a point to mentor me. Every week, for at least an hour, he would sit me down to share his methods and prepare me for what was ahead. Mary Jo McCoy would jokingly apologize in advance for the sheer amount of slobber and dog hair I’d encounter as I stepped into their home to meet the famous Beau—who, to this day, writes his own column in The Breeze.

It was the perfect introduction to Beau, Jim, and Mary Jo. We’d sit on the deck overlooking the lake, sipping tea, and talk about columns, writers, and creative ideas. Those conversations not only prepared me for publishing but left a lasting impression. One piece of advice Jim shared, which he repeated at least twice for emphasis, was this: “The Pet Issue is our best-selling issue every year.”Jim

’s renowned Pet Issue was traditionally published every October, featuring highlights like the Woofie Awards—honoring businesses that welcomed our furry friends—and heartwarming stories about pets and animals around Lake Anna. One memorable story was about the famous Anna Quakers, a one-legged duck who underwent two surgeries and now lives with Larry Merritt and his family.

As part of our renewed vision for The Breeze, we decided to take a different approach. Instead of running the traditional Pet Issue in October, we wanted to celebrate our beloved animal companions in a fresh way: a pet photo contest!

As you know, submissions were gathered in January, and voting is now open through February 15th. Once the winner is announced, they’ll be featured in The Breeze and receive a special pet photo shoot courtesy of Lake Anna Photography.

We all have a special place in our hearts for our animal friends, and this issue is our way of recognizing the meaningful impact they have on our lives.

Jen Bailey

Hi! I’m Jennifer Bailey and I partner with entrepreneurs who have massive ideas that could change the world. Most marketing is meaningless. Filled with empty promises, its only job is to bring in new traffic, new leads, and new customers. But I’ve drawn a line in the sand, and I’ve learned that marketing can do so much more than reach business goals and build profit. My methods give businesses the fire and soul they need to reach the right people, set the groundwork for sustainable relationships, and offer true value to the people on both the giving and receiving ends of marketing.