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.
I am thankful for the wake-up call of a cold, wet nose
and for snuggling to keep warm on chilly nights.
I am blessed by the fur that is permanently embedded in everything I own
and the stray dog hairs that make their way into my lunch.
I am grateful for having a third of the bed to sleep on
and for getting to use half of the covers
for the tail that wags and the nose that sniffs
for the eyes that gaze longingly at my dinner plate
and for the jaws that destroy all squeakers, but never harm people.
I'm beholden to the "tic, tic, tic" sound of paws on the floor
reminding me that a nail trim is due
and the forgiveness after the dreaded task is done.
I appreciate the barking that tells me a stranger is at the door
and even the barking that warns of potential danger from squirrels and pedestrians.
For endless games of fetch, Frisbee and tug-o-war
for kibble-scented kisses and funky smelling feet
and for coming when called (usually)
for all this, I am glad.
For the excited greeting upon my return, even if I've only been gone for a minute
the sheer glee of puppies to the patience and wisdom of seniors
and the unconditional love and affection, especially on my darkest days
for making me feel as if I am the most special, I am thankful to my dog.
What are you thankful for?
The Magic of Dogs
- The Human-Canine Bond
- Dog Adoption Stories
- Cute Dog Photo Galleries
- Reader Stories: My Dog's Memorial Tribute
Photo © Stacy Andrew
Comments
I’m also thankful for dogs. We have 3 dogs and they give us so much entertainment and love. Two of us in our family have had some serious medical problems that can cause us to feel pretty blue at times, but our three “babies” keep us smiling and make us feel so loved that we can’t stay blue for long. Yes, I’m very thankful for dogs.
jenna, you brought tears in my eyes
what a beautiful text
i lost my beloved dog earlier this year, and my new senior pup had been abandonned just the very same week my bf left me. i think we were meant to be together. i have 2 cats as well, and even though i nver know what sort of mischief they’ve been up to again when i get back home, i love them very much.
I think it is more than mere coincidence that dog is God spelled backwards.
How beautiful. It almost brought tears to my eyes. We lost one of our beloved family when he got run over but we have added another new member since.
I think God as well for my furry friends who hang out with me and sit next to me on the couch while I read a book.
I am thankful for everything that surrounds me, meaning friends, family and especially my pup. Without each and everyone on of these, I will surely be lost!
Wow! I could have written this word-for-word!
Thank you, I have enjoyed the company of dogs all my life and am also most grateful for dogs!
That was a wonderful piece. I am thankful my little girl (73 pounds…her tail alone can knock out a glass sitting on a coffee table.) is here loving and protecting me while my husband is visiting his mom. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Have a wonderful and safe holiday.
i read jenna’s poem.i feel everything she says and specially these holidays. i must say thank GOD for my two havanese.my son gave me” lola”{white+gray},+a few months later we rescued “maddie”{black+white}.i love them more than anybody+my happiest moments are with them.sometimes they have enough of me because,as my son says, i kiss them too much.but,i also want to share a grief i am specially feeling this time of year:more than 30 years go my daughter +me had a magnificent male collie dog named “lolo”.i had to take him with me after my divorce+went into an enormous confusion+depression.i couldn’t take care of him anymore.he was 7,+ my gentle mother offered to send him to her house.itwas in another country. off he went+was taken care of.but nobody of my family was avilable there.so,even if it was a grand house he lingered there without us,his real family.he died thin+possibly sad two years later,at 9.i regret it everyday+don’have any excuse.non whatsoever.now that i have a new family life,again,and feel well, i have given+decided to give all my love to”lola”+”maddie” without boundaries+learn to live with my guilt.i have cried during this letter+my two girls heard me +decided to come +comfort me.i want to rescue two collies,male+female, give them all the love+responsability due,along with the girls. i hope i have not bothered u to much, but needed to confess to dog lovers like myself.i would appreciate very much if u could inform me to whom i have to address myself for this matter.i will be moving to my home in lima,peru in5 to 6 months+maybe i should take them from the usa. thank u in advance for any advice on this subject+HAPPY THANKSGIVING+HOLIDAYS.TRULY, JORGE LUIS,.,.,.
rick: you are right.i just commemted to jenna about what happened to me+understand that very meaning of GOD=DOG.HAPPY THANKSGIVING+HOLIDAYS, jorge luis,.,.,.
My eyes flow with tears of love as I read your blog about your dogs. My dogs are my children and they have literally saved my life. When suffering severe bi-polar episodes, if not for their needs, I would have stayed in bed and died. If only our Creator would have blessed them with more years on our earth, we would not have to give them up so soon and let them grow old with us.
But maybe that is why he created so many. There are furry angels waiting for our love, every single day. How thankful I am to share my life with these precious creaturs.
I am thankful that God got us through this past difficult year, and that he blessed me with my precious animals.
Please not only today but everyday say a prayer for the less fortunate animals and their owners.
I am thankful that my dog Lightning, a Dobie, is still living. He was diagnosed with congestive heart failure last October and he has been taking 6 different kinds of pills for a total of 24. He still runs around like a puppy and doesn’t realize that he is ill. I lost his brother in 2007 from the same condition. He lived about a year after his diagnosis but he was very ill most of the time.
Lightning is such a delight and we just live one day at a time and make the most of it.
The very same things Jenna. How beautiful and lovely you put it all. Our Jamie and Lucy keep us on our toes. A house is never a home without poochies. The all-important question is: why is there so much animal cruelty in our society/world? It shouldn’t be this way. They all have so much to teach us. HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE.
MARCEE
Interesting!