Happy New Year!!

Joan Morris writes a column in the San Jose Mercury called Animal Life.  I enjoy reading it each week and I have learned a lot from the answers she gives the folks who write to her.

Today, she published her new years resolutions and they really struck a chord with me.  I may just have to copy her and make them my resolutions as well.  Definitely more fun than resolutions to lose weight! Here they are:

- I resolve to think more about how my actions affects wildlife.
- I resolve to help shelter pets find loving homes.
- I resolve to spread the word that all living things have value and should be respected.
- I resolve to never miss an opportunity to watch wildlife at work and play
- I resolve to keep learning from pets and animals, and humans too.

And on a humorous note - who says old dogs can't learn new tricks?  I had a pleasant surprise this week involving my dad.  He is rather old school and doesn't believe that animals think, let alone have the ability to communicate with people.  It used to be a bit of a challenge for me since I believe so strongly that two way communication with animals is quite possible.  Over time, I accepted that it was OK if he didn't believe in what I did and stopped letting it bother me.  :-)

So, the other day, my dad had plans that were going to keep him away from the house all day and he was worried about "the boys" being alone for over twelve hours.  He asked me if I could come over midday to get them out for some exercise and I said I would.

Much to my surprise, I got an email back from him saying, "I told the boys that you were coming over to see them and they got very excited." Did my dad really tell them?  And when they acted excited, did he realize they actually DID understand him?  I smiled to myself when I thought about the fact that maybe my dad was adjusting his beliefs a bit.

Happy New Year!  I hope 2013 is a blessed year for all of you.  May it be a year filled with peace, joy, love and laughter!

Gratitude

Along the lines of the principle that what you focus on expands, it is said that the more you focus on what you are grateful for, the more reasons you'll have to be grateful.  So, as the holiday season approaches, I thought I'd share a few things that I have gratitude for:

- For the dentist who understands that animals are capable of far more than most people give them credit for, and allows his dog to assist his young patients.  amazingdentist/dog

- For the wonderful friends I have, that make sure I see links like the one above.

- For the fact that my Christmas tree finally stopped falling over  :-)

- For the people who have noticed I had my blinker on and actually let me move into their lane.

- For the homemade toffee that was lovingly made by the sister of one of my best friends, even if it means exercise is going to have to be moved up to the top of my to-do list.  :-)

- For my friendship with Chelsea, which appears to have given me the added benefit of having the rest of the squirrel population stay out of my flower pots this fall.  I don't know what she said to them, but they all seem to be "respecting" my daffodil bulbs this year.

- For the fact that Barry Manilow is still performing, so that my family could go see him and feel close to my mom for the night, as he sang the songs that were a soundtrack to our childhood.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season.  My wish for all of you is that you are surrounded by those you love and that you are given many opportunities to feel grateful.

Happy Holidays!!!