Our Pets And Thanksgiving.......

It's important we remember our pets, past and present, for what they bring to our lives. Many lists detail the benefits of pet ownership. Pets are used for protection, they provide physical and emotional assistance, they help teach responsibility to our children. The main reason people have a pet, surpassing the more functional benefits, tends to focus on the unconditional love that we receive from our furry companions.

Topping the lists of favorite parts of pet ownership include: wagging tails; puppy breath; purring cats; getting woken up by a cold nose saying it's time to go out; the way a dog will chase the same squirrel that he's chased for the last five years with the optimism that this will be the day he will catch him; watching your cat ignore the $150 cat condo you bought and play for hours in the box it came in; the compassion your dog shows as he listens attentively to how you had a bad day; the way your cat chases the dot from the laser pointer, even though he can't ever seem to pick it up; your retriever's willingness to bring back that ball or stick even though he knows you're just going to throw it away again; and don't forget those doggy kisses we love to get while conveniently forgetting that the dog considers the toilet his personal water bowl.

Pets bring us joy and we should thank them! Don't be tempted to share your turkey dinner, but instead use the day off to give your dog an extra long walk or give your cat a kitty massage and brushing. The best way to thank them is with the gift of our time.

                                                            Dr Roger Smith, DVM