After a few seemingly back to back dog sitting gigs, we’re finally back home and settling in a bit before our next adventure. Giving thanks, being appreciative, and having an attitude of gratitude is something which should be done every day, but we take one day out of the year to specifically celebrate that mindset.

In the spirit of gratefulness, there are many things I say thank you for every day and I just want to share some of them.

I am incredibly grateful for my family and dogs. It’s interesting to see how different people live and what different people like. While some have only a couple dogs, others have dogs in the double digits. Some peoples’ dogs are quiet except for those important and appropriate times to alert and make noise, and others bark and yap ceaselessly even through the night. Some people are alright with treating their home like a dog run and letting the dogs go the bathroom anywhere inside and use potty pads. Others would never dream of that and have an incredibly clean house. Some choose to live with reactive dogs or dogs that don’t get along and segregate and separate and live with gates, crates, and rotations. Others choose to only have dogs which get along with all the other current dogs and they all live out together all the time. I’m so thankful for my dogs-I’ve learned many of their idiosyncrasies and each dog is different. While I admire the people who have multiple dogs and give individual time, attention, training, exercise, and grooming to all ten or fifteen of them, I don’t think I’d personally have that many dogs. While Bella, Terra, and Kronos seem to enjoy time together, they revel in the individual times we spend one-on-one together.

I am appreciative for my health, for having a roof over my head, for having more than enough accessible food, for the many opportunities my dogs and I have had and will have, my friends and mentors, and so many other things. I’m grateful for where I am right now, but know there is much awesomeness and so much to come. This year was a quiet Thanksgiving, but it was a wonderful one.

Bella, Terra, and Kronos would say they are grateful for their health, staying in shape, our many walks and outdoor adventures, the multitude of treats, food, chews, toys, and for a warm place to sleep.

We hope you had a wonderful holiday with your loved ones and took the time to let them know how appreciated they are.

What are some things you’re thankful for?