This year has flown by, hasn’t it? We’re already planning Thanksgiving gatherings and getting apple cider and pumpkin pie cravings.

This is also the time of year when we reflect on what we are grateful for. Often our relationships are what reveal what’s rare and precious in life.

As we count our blessings this season, let’s also count the ways our pets add meaning to the experience of gratitude.

Appreciation for the Simple Things

Pets aren’t materialistic and image-conscious like humans can be. They don’t need expensive mattresses or a new fall wardrobe. They get excited at mealtimes for food that isn’t appetizing to us.

Pets are happy with the simple things. Like children, they will play with random things around the house rather than that new toy you bought from the pet store.

They teach us that it’s the little things that can be the big things. They set an example for being content with what you have which is what gratitude is all about.

Big holiday plans? We’re your Columbus area dog walkers and in home pet care service. Book now before we’re booked up. Call or text us at: (614) 439-1621.

The Gift of Unconditional Love

While relationships between humans can be very complicated, the relationship between a person and pet is fairly simple.

While people in the home may be holding grudges or irritated at each other’s bad habits, an animal isn’t going to get into a row with you. They have no interest in holding onto the past nor in judging their humans.

They accept you as you are.

While humans tend to withhold love and trust in their relationships, animals are a shining example of loyalty.

Unconditional love between humans isn’t common, but with pets it certainly is! They inspire gratitude by meeting us with an unwavering love every day.

True Companionship

Have you asked your dog if she’s free tonight for an after-dinner walk? Have you asked your cat if he’s available for a fireside cuddle?

Pets don’t keep calendars, have schedule conflicts, nor will they flake on you last minute. They are the ones who are there for us when we need touch and presence. They aren’t too busy for you.

Pets show us what a faithful companion truly is. They show gratitude by showing up for us daily.

The Gift of Healing

Sometimes grief we bear just can’t be put into words. When we turn to others for help, the words of humans can make us feel even more alienated and misunderstood. Other times we just don’t want to feel that we are burdening others with the tough times we go through.

Animals are there for us as healers.

They won’t ask you questions you’d rather not answer.

You can talk to them without fear of saying the wrong thing.

They won’t think you’re being weird for hugging too long.

They don’t need to end the visit or phone call and go back to their lives. You are their life.

They teach us gratitude through healing in giving freely of togetherness.

 

Amanda Sommers of Houston, TX shares the story of Ted, a rescue cat

A Homeless Cat Learns to Trust: “The beginning was rocky. This kitty only wanted to hide upstairs under the spare bed we had. We had to move all his stuff up there because he refused to come down. After about a month, he began to venture downstairs. It wasn’t long after that that our new kitty, whom we renamed Ted, was this very affectionate loving big furball that always wanted his belly rubbed.”

Amanda Saves Ted: “The firemen had to pull me out of the smoke filled house because I tried to crawl in after them. I could hear them crying for me and I couldn’t do anything. Luckily they were okay and I was able to retrieve them all. After that Ted couldn’t stand to have me out of his sight.”

Ted Saves Amanda: “I was back home with my Ted. He was pouty at first because I had left him but I know he could tell I missed him. After that, we only grew closer. He was my little rock through the divorce, through my depression when it got bad again”

Read More: Grateful for Our Local Pet Rescue Organizations

Daily Purpose & Routine

Sometimes it’s so hard to get the day started, especially if you have nothing planned for the day.

Some days you may wish someone would take the dog out to potty or serve breakfast to the cat, but having that push to get the day going can be beneficial for you.

Having a sense of purpose and routine is a way to stave off boredom and blues. Having pet counting on you to care for them can keep you going when you occasionally feel like giving up.

Through this experience of having creatures to care for every day, we gain fulfillment through responsibility. We can be grateful for the way they keep us going.

Every day is rewarding when your life’s purpose is caring for animals. Fur Star Pet Care is here to lend a hand from needing a Columbus area dog walker or in home pet care. Call or text us: (614) 439-1621.

The Receiving is in the Giving

When love and care are mutual, it is a rich experience. We care for animals and they care for us.

Sometimes the act of caretaking is how we experience the essence of love and the warmth of feeling needed. Gratitude is experienced in needing them just as much as they need us.

“I realized how her neediness had changed my heart. I realized that her neediness was no different than my own, and that, by making sure her unique daily needs were being met, my needs were being met as well. Just as she needed constant reassurance that she was loved unconditionally, she, in her overwhelmingly quirky ways, was assuring me of that same unconditional love…. So, what has Dora taught me about gratitude? She’s taught me that, even though it’s easy to be grateful for the shiny, beautiful things we’ve been freely given, it’s equally rewarding to find blessings in the strangest, quirkiest, most unexpected places.”

The Virtue of Patience

Generally speaking, pets are so patient. They trust you will eventually fill the food bowl, the water dish, and take the daily walk.

They also require so much patience. They may potty where they aren’t supposed to, run off to make us chase after them, bark too much, or meow too early in the morning.

We can be grateful for the patience they grace us with as well as the opportunity to practice more patience with them.

At Fur Star Pet Care we are grateful for our loyal clients and every precious moment spent with these cherished pets.

Every day is like a holiday for a Columbus area dog walker. When we’re not loving every minute of in home pet care, we’re enjoying the variety of taking care of reptiles, rodents, pigs, ferrets, hedgehogs, and even horses! Lucky us. Call or text us: (614) 439-1621.

Read More: Fur Star Pet Care Serves a Variety of Pets