Thanksgiving: A Time to be Grateful for our Dogs

Happy Thanksgiving! ‘Tis The Season to be Grateful

Every year at this time I seem to write about how thankful I am for dogs. Well, this year isn’t going to be any different. ☺

I am incredibly grateful for my personal dogs. They’ve been my companions through thick and thin. They’ve been there to make me laugh and stayed close if I needed some comfort. I rest easier knowing they’re in the house with me and they make great couch companions on our cold winter evenings here in Iowa.

They help me maintain daily routines; including spending some time outside each day. And that is a good thing, as my mom always says, β€œthe fresh air never hurt anyone.” ☺

My dogs and many others I have met through the years have brought much joy and I am very grateful for that.

But I think the thing I appreciate the most, is how a love for dogs has built so many fabulous friendships. If it were not for the career path I landed in, I would not have met so many wonderful people over all these years. The good fortune to travel and get to know people from all parts of the globe has all been due to this shared passion about our canine companions. I’m very fortunate to count other dog lovers among some of my closest friends.

As I celebrate the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, I’m counting my blessings, both canine and human. Cheers to you all!

A Thanksgiving Gift from That’s My Dog!

I want to hear what it is about your dogs that you are grateful for. Please shareΒ your comments below and I will be providing one lucky dog owner withΒ a $25 certificate to our That’s My Dog! store.

Winner will be announced at noon (CST) on Black Friday (11/27).

23 thoughts on “Thanksgiving: A Time to be Grateful for our Dogs

  1. I am thankful for my dog Gunner. He makes me smile every day and gives me purpose to stay active, get outside and take him on adventures. He helps me connect with other people in a positive way. Small things in an ordinary day, but gigantic things during extraordinary grief. In 2014, my 19 year old niece was killed by a drunk driver and then my Dad passed away in 2015. On days when it seemed easier to shut the world out, Gunner reminded me to get out in the world. His energy fueled my energy. He has brightened my life in so many ways and I am forever grateful to share a piece of life’s journey with him.

    1. Thank you for sharing Kelly. What a lovely reminder of how much dogs enrich our lives and keep us going.
      Happy Thanksgiving to you.

  2. I am thankful for my two companions Riley and Zeke! All four of the children are out of the house now and on with their lives. I don’t have that alone feeling because every day these two dogs follow me, play with me, miss me when I’m gone, and love me unconditionally. We have a lot of nice conversations too! :). I can’t imagine my life without them. Have to go now…time for our walk!

    1. Thanks Cathy, I have an empty nest too. Great to have the four-footed kids around to keep me busy!

  3. I am thankful every day for my Corgi, Stella. She lights up every single minute of my life with her quirky, sassy ways. She’s my heart dog. She’s ready to help me feed the horses and cats every morning and always ready to have snuggle time when the stressors of the day have taken their toll. She does everything with excitement and it reminds me to do the same in everything I do.

    Happy Thanksgiving to everyone at TMD!

    1. Thanks Lynnea, ya gotta love a dog with sass!! πŸ™‚

  4. I am thankful for my dog, McGwinn, because he has helped me keep active in retirement and maintain a daily routine to get out and walk. He isn’t a big snuggler, but man can he catch a Frisbee or a squeaky ball! He’s just naturally athletic. I’m thankful that he has come into my life during a period where I have the time and energy to keep up with him. And because he was adopted right at adolescence, I’m thankful he led me to the fabulous trainers at That’s My Dog. Without them, I am not sure we would have been able to keep McGwinn. Through dog classes and outings, I’ve made new friends and found a passion for advocating for making our city more pet friendly. Thank you, McGwinn!

    1. aw, Thanks Lisa. It has been a pleasure to work with you and McGwinn too!

  5. I’m thankful for my dogs, past and present, for teaching me the important things in life…..love, acceptance, perseverance, and progress. I’m thankful for my Keegan for teaching me to slow it down…and to lay a foundation in everything I do πŸ˜‰ ????

    1. They are masters of perseverance. Definitely a trait they can teach us. Thanks Melanie!

  6. Moose: my best friend and worst nightmare, all within the same hour. He keeps me on my toes and keeps my heart whole. I am so thankful he has been a part of my life 3 years. Most importantly, though, I am so grateful that Moose has taught me the importance of good snuggle time.
    And I can’t forget about Hank! He’s my farming partner, road trip buddy, and my big loveable fluff ball. He brings me so much happiness every time I’m with him.

    We all have so much to be thankful this year, but Moose the turkey and Hank my sweet potato make the top of my list!

    1. haha, cute! Thanks for sharing Nicole.

  7. I am so thankful for the unconditional love and companionship my dogs give. i am so thankful they give me that nudge I need to get out and get moving. I’ve explored new adventures and have enjoyed nature so much more with them by my side.. Thankful for TMD teaching me to teaching Bella obedience and tricks because we’ve had so much fun along the way!!! My dogs make me smile make me laugh and enjoy my time with them.

    1. Thanks Sandy, It has been wonderful to work with you and your dogs over the years. Thankful for the relationship we’ve built. πŸ™‚

  8. We are so grateful for the team at That’s My Dog who taught us the skills to raise a kind, fun, obedient, and loving dog! She truly is a member of our family and we are so grateful that out Golden Retriever, Piper, is always invited to join us at holiday gatherings, thanks to her wonderful manners.

    Piper is grateful for That’s My Dog, too! Without the things she learned from her Learn and Play, Polishing Classes, and On The Go events, she wouldn’t get to do all of the fun things she loves, like off leash walks on Bergfeld Path! She is also grateful for the kind staff at TMD who treat her like their own when she is in for boarding, and for all of her doggie friends she has met at daycare!

    Oh, and Piper is also grateful that there will be leftover turkey for her on Thanksgiving. πŸ™‚

    1. Turkey!! Yes, that is something to be thankful for. (and I’m grateful for the pie too) πŸ˜‰
      Have a good Thanksgiving, it’s been wonderful to work with your family and Piper. Thanks Jessica!

  9. I am thankful for all the amazing dogs that have allowed me to be a part of their lives. They have always been there for me, through both the good and the bad. They remind me daily to be grateful for the little things. Watching two dogs argue over who get a piece of horse poop really makes you appreciate everything you have in life :).

    1. Thanks Shelia. “arguing over horse poop”…That is an image. πŸ™‚

  10. I am truly thankful for my little Shorkie- Cooper. He is a great companion and is always thrilled when I come home from work. When I lost my Yorkie 2 years ago, I knew I needed another dog in my life ASAP. I will be the first to admit; ever since I found out that I wasn’t able to have children my dogs have been a savior to me. Cooper is the light of my life and since I have been training at TMD, I have found how much fun and excitement that we can have together. I am really surprised how fast he will learn a task or a trick.

    1. Thanks for sharing Karen. Happy Thanksgiving to you.

  11. The blog and comments are all beautiful to read. I, too, have met many amazing people and built life long friendships through my dogs. With each dog, I learn more about myself. After having two dogs that did not work out for me, I am so blessed and grateful to have Rex in my life. He makes me smile everyday no matter how difficult it may seem. My exercise has increased as he is very active and loves long walks, and hikes. We’ve traveled many places together while learning along the way. So thankful for our experiences and growth. What a pleasure it is to have visited TMD numerous times and to work with Robin and staff. Feeling grateful for all at TMD!

    1. Grateful to have worked with you and Rex too! Thanks for sharing Trish. Happy Thanksgiving.

  12. Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts about your dogs. Appreciate it! We did a random draw for the gift certificate and the name we pulled out of the dog dish was Jessica Kennedy. Congrats Jessica!

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