I have so much to be thankful for. I have wonderful friends and family, good food on the table and a roof over my head. I'm thankful for kind strangers, good neighbors and the beauty of nature.

But most of all, I am thankful for dogs.
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Every Thanksgiving, my dog gazes longingly at the feast, hoping for a stray bit of food or a drop of gravy. Fortunately, she's trained not to beg or linger around the table, but I do catch her staring at us from the other room. It's kind of sad, but I have a strict policy against table scraps. After dinner, I'll give her a small bit of turkey (without the skin, of course). However, this year I thought I'd try to whip up something special for her and any other canine guests that might stop by this Thanksgiving. Read more...

I'll admit it - I have always kind of looped the Lhasa Apso in with "similar" breeds, like the Shih Tzu. Not that I did not think of it as a separate breed, I just did not a lot of difference. I stand corrected. The Lhasa is an original, developed by nature for life in the Himalayan mountains. The Shih-Tzu's ancestors may be related to Lhasas, but the Lhasas were first. I have not had the pleasure to know many Lhasas, but I admire their independence and whimsy. I also admire the owners who work so hard to train these headstrong little dogs. Lhasas arfe smart and they know it!

The Lhasa is not the right breed for everyone, particularly households with small children, as it seems like Lhasas prefer adults. However, I do believe that any dog can adapt to just about any situation with proper handling. If you don't mind grooming, and you want a relatively small dog with a dynamic personality and moderate activity level, the Lhasa may be the one. Before you choose,learn all about the Lhasa Apso, a unique and intriguing dog breed. Love Lhasas? Tell us about it and share your favorite photos.

Photo © D.C Atty on flickr

I am sure that I do not stand alone when I say that the holidays stress me out. The marketing, decorating and music all start the day after Halloween, and things in the world seem all fuzzy until some time in January. Somewhere amid all the chaos there is true meaning. Depending on your spiritual beliefs, this time of year means a number of things. For most of us, a large part of the season is supposed to be about peace, love and togetherness - not stress.

Your dog doesn't really know the holiday season from any other time of year, except by observing your actions and attitude. She will, however, pick up on your vibe. If you are on edge, it can affect your dog. As a dog lover, you must focus upon keeping your dog safe, healthy and happy. Then there are all the other little details. Check out this holiday survival guide to help you organize your holiday to-do list. Then, take a deep breath and relax. How do you survive the holidays?

Photo © Stella Panzarino