For Pet's Sake Column

This column is dedicated to the memory of Ms. Tica, the “beautimous” canine companion of Caron Miller and Doug Beard of Santa Barbara , who passed away on the evening of November 16^th. Ms. Tica, may your journey be filled with peaceful Buddha gardens, never-ending mountain and beach walks and, of course, oodles of red roses.

Author and scholar, William Arthur Ward once said, “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I would like to honor Ward’s words of wisdom by sharing my list of all the animals for whom I am grateful.

I am grateful for my work, for it is through writing, teaching, and speaking about animals that I have the privilege of sharing my belief that these kindred spirits bring immense blessings to our everyday lives.

I am grateful for the many foster kittens who have allowed me to be their ephemeral “mom.” With your impossibly tiny whiskers and claws and oh-so-soft fur, you have wrapped yourselves around my heart and brought me endless joy and amusement.

I am grateful for the dogs with smiling faces and gently wagging tails who catch my eye as you pass by in the next car and instantly transform my ordinary day into an extraordinary day. You are gentle reminders that life is meant to be lived in the precious present moment.

I am grateful for the blue jays, the sparrows, and the crows whose presence never ceases to add a touch of grace to my garden. You add color, entertainment, and a symphony of sweet sounds to my day.

I am grateful for all the many furred and feathered creatures who serve as animal ambassadors at my Compassion for Critters classes so that children might learn more about you – for it is the compassionate children of today who will grow up to be the kindhearted adults of tomorrow.

I am grateful for the many animals with whom I have shared my life. I am grateful for your unbridled joy every time I walked into a room – whether I had been gone for five minutes or fives hours. I am grateful for the late-night “therapy sessions” where I confided my innermost thoughts and concerns to you without feeling judged. Even though your physical bodies no longer exist, you will always be with me in spirit.

I am grateful for the animal rescuers whose never-ending work to save abandoned and abused animals often goes unnoticed and unappreciated. You take the animals’ broken bodies and shattered spirits and make them whole again. You give them a chance to become someone’s treasured companion – a chance to live wonderful lives. I am in awe of you.

I am grateful for all the animals with whom we share our planet. Thank you for your willingness to be here to teach us, to guide us, to inspire us to be better people. I am grateful that you have allowed us to open our hearts and souls to you, for it is through your unwavering love and loyalty that we understand the connection between us is stronger and deeper than we ever imagined.

I am grateful for ALL of you.

What are you grateful for this Thanksgiving? Let Karen know by emailing her at karenleestevens@cox.net.