First off: cool that you want share your knowledge on pets with the world and putting all this energy into it.
I second the note on image backgrounds. A nice gradient or small diagonal stripe would be a lot easier on the eye.
Layout wise I'd suggest using a (Wordpress) template or some other type of light CMS with templates.
This is another good site with free templates.
mike02: funny animal. The Turtle. Simplicity two-point-oh!
I suggest using another font for the body text. I don't like this one.
Maybe you could try making a header (with Photoshop or the like) with some animal stock photos and over that the title of your site, so that you do have graphics and they are of animals but they're not in the background
Another thing, for me to continue to visit a site, I want new stuff, so maybe put the new articles on the front page. Then you can write a welcome message on an 'About' page.
'Links' (
LINKS PAGE) is empty.
Good luck!