As for breaking the rules, I believe that if you are making a career of professional photography the main rule is to create photographs that your clients will buy. Maybe you select your clients based on your style, maybe they select you based on their tastes. If you match yourself up with enough willing clients and generate enough sales to have a successful business then what does breaking the rules really mean?

My critique is that I would like these better if they were pictures of cats

I would be interested in the technicals for the 3rd image of the second set (ball in mouth). I really like the perspective.