Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

The boys are certainly thankful for their blue elephant pillow because it has room for three.

Mau is thankful for his housemates aka his pillows.

But most of all, we’re thankful for each other.

Gratitude

This morning Charlie surprised us by waking us up at 5AM with his thunderous purring and persistently–but adorably–being enthusiastically lovey. Later when we got up, he was still affectionate and giving slow blinks to everyone. I’m happy to see him becoming more relaxed. Garrus, as usual, was eager to give tail hugs and receive pets. When Boudicca came over, I picked her up and held her against my chest; she rewarded me by going limp and purring contentedly. What a great way to start the day!

This Thanksgiving holiday I will visit my family, and among those are two dogs, Chiquita, a well-behaved and delightfully fluffy Kooikerhondje, and Chiya, a sassy Tibetan Spaniel. I’ll get my dog fix! I expect I will snuggle the pups whenever I can.

As everyone turns their thoughts to what they are thankful for this holiday season, I thought it would be appropriate to talk about being thankful for pets. My cats enrich my life in so many ways such that I felt inspired to write about it! Here is a collection of reasons to be thankful for your pets:

1. Unconditional love. Enough said.
2. Hugs and snuggles. Awesome time all around. Pets also make great nap buddies.
3. Constant companionship. It’s hard to feel lonely when share a home with a pet. When I’m just doing everyday tasks, I usually have one cat following me around the house attempting to “help” or at least be near me. Boudicca, for example, is my designated office supurrviser.
4. Fun. Pets take playtime and finding happiness in the little things very seriously. These are healthy attitudes for humans too.
5. Comfort. Pets brighten your day in ways big and small. Whether you come home from a stressful day at work, have gone on vacation for weeks, or are just feeling sick, pets offer unconditional love. It’s hard not to smile when your dog greets you at the door with a blur of a wagging tail. My cats greet me with squeaks, trills, and question mark tails. When I have a migraine, Boudicca feels that it is her duty to apply purr therapy until I feel better.
6. Laughter. Seriously. My cats make me laugh all the time from sheer adorability and scampery antics.
7. Never a dull moment. A pet in your life may very well keep things busy and interesting with their shenanigans! Humans and their pets constantly learn from one another.
8. Health. Having a pet lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, reduces the risk of heart disease, and makes you move more, especially if you have dogs. I certainly benefit from regular purr therapy.
9. Purpose. Having a pet gives you a sense of purpose and someone to care for. While having a pet is lots of work and a big responsibility no one should take lightly, pets do reward us tenfold for caring for them. Everyone wins!