Giving Thanks For Our Pets

Thanksgiving is upon us once again – time for family, food, football, and the day set aside to give thanks for our blessings.  Although life happens and often interferes with our feelings of gratitude, it's important that we focus on all things good and, of course, what our pets add to our lives is all good.  During this season of giving thanks, let us all remember to be especially thankful for our pets and show them the kind of love and appreciation they show us every day.  Here are just a few reasons why we should be thankful for our pets:

LOVE.  If there's one thing we know for sure about our pets, it's that they love us unconditionally and that love comes back to us tenfold.  Almost all pets show happiness when we arrive home.  A dog's most enthusiastic tail-wagging, face-licking moment of the day is when we walk through the front door – even if we've just gone to the mailbox and back.  A cat's enthusiasm may be more subtle, but even the fact that he or she is in the same room with us for a change really says a lot.

COMPANIONSHIP.  Our pets keep us company and that company helps us to feel less lonely and isolated, especially for those of us who live alone.  Coming home to a pet gives us something to look forward to at the end of a long grueling day.

PHYSICAL CONTACT.  When a purring cat sits cuddled in our lap or a puppy is licking our face, all is right with the world.  Studies have shown that cuddling and stroking our pets is good for us; it makes us calmer and can even lower our heart rate and blood pressure.

SOMEONE TO TALK TO.  Talking things out relieves a lot of internal pressure.  Having someone to talk to can really make a difference.  It makes us feel less lonely.  Talk about anything – our pets will listen. Even better, they won't disagree, interrupt or tell anyone our secrets.

MOTIVATION TO EXERCISE.  Most pets need exercise every day.  Whether it's walking the dog or playing with the cat, we'll be getting some exercise too.  Physical exercise helps us to deal with stress and also gives us the opportunity to get outside and breathe a little fresh air.

SECURITY.  Some pets promote a feeling of safety.  A dog might bark when he hears or smells something out of the ordinary and a cat may wake us if there is smoke in the house.  Sometimes just having a pet nearby is enough to make us feel less anxious and more secure.

As we gather together to give thanks for our blessings this holiday season, lets not forget our pets; those faithful companions that fill our hearts and lives with so much joy and love!

 

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your beloved furry friends!

 

And as always, happy tails to you until we meet again!  (?)
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Paws To Praise Pet Pal

Happy November!  OMG, can you believe Halloween is over and stores are already gearing up for "Black Friday"?  Well, before all the holiday craziness really gets going, let's take a moment to show our sincere appreciation to some incredibly selfless people and their commitment to the innocent and helpless animals in our communities.   

 

Local animal rescue groups and shelters like Pet Pal Animal Shelter are a saving grace for hundreds of homeless animals as well as a resource for information and care.  So what better time to think about the PAWSitive  impact of these animal shelters on the community than during National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, November 1st through 7th.  Since 1996, the first full week of November has been deemed National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week.  Launched by the Humane Society of the United States, this campaign was designed to acknowledge and promote the invaluable role shelters and other animal welfare organizations play in their communities.  In addition to the community role, this campaign is also meant to help increase public awareness of important animal welfare issues and shelter services.

 
Bringing together hopeful critters and loving homes is one of the things that shelters and rescues do best, but it’s certainly not the only thing.  From taking in unwanted animals and giving them food, water and shelter to rescuing injured or abused animals to helping reunite lost pets with their families, animal shelters spend 365 days a year saving animals.  For one week out of that year, community members, animal lovers and grateful pet parents come together to celebrate these organizations.  National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week is the perfect time to recognize shelters like Pet Pal and show our appreciation by getting involved.  Volunteering a few hours a week working at the shelter or helping out at events, becoming a foster for those animals needing a little extra TLC in a quiet home setting, purchasing a few items from the shelter's "wish list" on your next shopping trip, or just spreading the word about  Pet Pal Animal Shelter to anyone and everyone you meet are all excellent ways to show you care and become a part of this PAWesome family!  For more information on how you can show your appreciation this week and throughout the year, visit petpalanimalshelter.com or stop by in person and say hello to the cuddly kitties and playful pups while you're there. 

 
Since the animals in shelters can't speak for themselves, I wanted to give a voice to all of the dogs, cats, and other critters to express their true gratitude to the hard-working, dedicated staff and volunteers who care for them every single day.  I think this poem pretty much says it all! 

 

Once I was a lonely dog, Just looking for a home.
I had no place to go, No one to call my own.
I wandered up and down the streets, in rain in heat and snow.
Ate whatever I could find, I was always on the go.
My skin would itch, my feet were sore, My body ached with pain.
And no one stopped to give a pat, Or to gently say my name.
I never saw a loving glance, I was always on the run.
For people thought that hurting me was really lots of fun.
And then one day I heard a voice, So gentle, kind and sweet,
And arms so soft reached down to me, And took me off my feet.
"No one again will hurt you", Was whispered in my ear."
"You'll have a home to call your own, where you will know no fear.
You'll be dry, you'll be warm, you'll have enough to eat.
And rest assured that when you sleep, your dreams will all be sweet."
I was afraid, I must admit, I've lived so long in fear.
I can't remember when I let A human come so near.
As she tended to my wounds, And bathed and brushed my fur
She told me about the rescue group, And what it meant to her.
She said, "We are a circle, A line that never ends.
and in the center there is you, protected by new friends.
All around you are the ones who check the pounds,
and those who share their homes after you've been found.
And all the other folks are searching near and far.
to find the perfect home for you, where you can be a star."
She said, "There is a family that's waiting patiently,
and pretty soon we'll find them, just you wait and see.
And then they'll join our circle, they'll help to make it grow,
so there'll be room for more like you, who have no place to go."
I waited very patiently, The days they came and went.
Today's the day, I thought, my family will be sent.
Then just when I began to think it wasn't meant to be,
there were people standing there, just gazing down at me.
I knew them in a heartbeat, I could tell they felt it too.
They said, "We've been waiting for a special dog like you."
Now every night I say a prayer to all the gods that be.
"Thank you for the life I live and all you've given me.
But most of all, protect the animals in the pounds and on the streets.
And send a rescue person to lift them off their feet."

 

Thank you Pet Pal Animal Shelter for all the furry lives you've saved and for all those you will save in the future!

 

Happy tails to you until we meet again!!!