I write almost daily in my journal about what I am grateful for, but I also like to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday by sending my gratitude out into the universe. I’ve listed just a few of the things that I am grateful for below. Please add your own list to mine; I will read them from top to bottom every single day this week. (So if yours is the first comment, I’ll read it 7 times.)
The big things that I am grateful for:
I am alive. I have a home. I am safe. I have food. I have a loving husband and partner. I have a wonderful network of friends and family. I live in a beautiful part of the world. I have three dogs, two cats and a flock of sheep who bring me joy and happiness every day. I am relatively healthy for just turning 70, in spite of the fact that my face is drooping off of my skull like the ears of a sleeping donkey.
The little things that I am grateful for (never to be discounted):
My husband’s eyebrows. Too cool.
Maggie’s ears.
Color. I really, really love color, of which the book Joyful reminded me. Thanks to that, I bought this throw rug for the new mudroom. Makes me smile every time I see it.
Willie’s happy face.
Sheep with blue butts. Blue butts mean that they have been bred. Four down, (Lady Baa Baa is hidden), one to go? Or did ewe lamb Beyonce, second butt from the left, get bred on day one and just not get marked well?
Tootsie’s ears when she is running.
Last but not least, you, dear reader. What a special village this is. I am so grateful for it. Please add your own list–especially of the “little things,” because, as we all know, they add up to being very big indeed. Even listing just one thing has an impact. I look forward to reading your comments, and smiling, every morning for the next week.
MEANWHILE, back on the farm: Maggie was in her first sheepdog trial since being injured and was at her best. I was thrilled with her. It was a small trial on a course that she knows well, but still, she made one tiny mistake (left rather than right) and otherwise was paw perfect. Before she was injured we’d been working on her whistled “adverbs” (“Go counterclockwise but not all the way around to their heads, just slide a few feet to your left then keep walking straight on.”), and she responded like a champ. And no sign of any leg stiffness or discomfort either. She got 49 out of the first 50 possible points, 23 out of 30 on her drive (my bad) and no pen points cuz we ran out of time because, uh, well, see below.
I, on the other hand, made two mistakes. One small (this time I gave her the wrong cue, eeps, but easy to fix), the other large. (I messed up the last leg of the drive, timed out at the pen because of it). Would someone please let me know when one stops making stupid mistakes while competing in trials?
And Willie? Oh, my Willie boy. Twelve and a half years old, and he worked in the pens pushing a mob of sheep into chutes. No finesse needed here, just a gutsy dog willing to get between sheep and a fence and force them forward. The day before Willie was confronted by our new ram lamb, and I swear he chest bumped him. Boy do I wish I had a photo of that. What a dog.
Sorry, no photos from the trial. Here’s a picture of Maggie working sheep, taken by my friend Rob a few years ago. Still one of my favorites.
Whatever is happening in your life, I hope that it includes some moments of joy and sweetness. Happy Thanks Giving.
Kristin Lucey says
Love this post. Thank you Dr. McConnell! Certainly I am thankful for you…
Also thankful for:
*the trees in our yard (birches, maples) whose leaves are changing and dropping and spreading much needed color in our smokey, dry yard (I live in the Bay Area)
*all the puppies and adult dogs that I’m so lucky to come in contact with during the training classes at the shelter where I volunteer
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Nannette Morgan says
I’m thankful for my family, friends and my two Siberian family members! I’m especially grateful that my now 12 y.o. girl Cricket Marie is still with me. I almost lost her last Christmas due to complications after swallowing part of a wiffle ball. I guess I’m grateful as well to the Specialty Hospital that got her through it and still monitors her. Happy Thanksgiving to you and all the readers!
Heidrun says
I am grateful for a lot of things you already listed. It’s so easy to forget how lucky we are to have a home, food, peace and other beings to love (people and non-human-beings alike) and be loved by.
My personal thanksgiving goes to my beloved man for ever being so patient, understanding and thoughtful with all the “dog-things” going on in our life. He wasn’t a dog-person before we met – but now he surely is. And of his own free will 😉
And special thanks to all my dogs, the ones I had to let go and the ones that live with us now. Every single one of you taught me important things and skills about dogs which are usful to me every single day.
And I am also really grateful for your blog, Trisha: your thoughts and knowledge are always inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and your love for dogs with the world, with us.
Barbara says
I’m very thankful that our 10 year old galga Rica is still with us! exactly one year ago she was diagnosed with mast cell tumors. She’s had 3 operations in the last 12 months and there will be another one just before Christmas. But so far she ist doing great and now that the weather is cool again (after a very long and hot summer here in Germany) she is lively, enjoys running and sometimes looks like a young dog again.
Lindsay Pevny says
Everything about this post is adorable. I enjoyed it so much! Gratitude is everything… anytime I feel down or frustrated, I try to remember why I’m lucky. I hope Beyonce has twins!!
Lainy Young says
I’m thankful for family and friends, near and far, my dogs, of course. Sadie Jayne who really only likes, trusts, two other people in the world but tugs at my heart everytime she looks at me.❤️ And McGee, my Border mix. When I see him working with people especially kids, it’s hard not to tear up.
My health and nature, from the change of seasons to watching Sadie ‘discover’ a tennis ball buried in the snow.
And dog people, true dog people, who raise and train and rescue. May I always have the pleasure of knowing them.
Chris Wells says
I am thankful for retirement! I was never really sure it would get here. But I love it! Every single day of it! I am so grateful for my home, with so many people who have lost theirs. I am thankful for my family and my 2 dogs, a Golden and a half lab/half dachshund that is getting ready to turn 16. It has been a tough year for her, but you know how determined and gutsy a dachshund is!
I am grateful for my little piece of the world and I try to be a good stewart.
I am grateful for your path in life and for your books which a dear friend turned me on to many years ago!! Thanks, Patricia for what you do and share.
LisaW says
I am glad I have learned to ask for help. Help with yard work, help with chores my husband used to do with ease before he got sick, help with negotiating processes at work. Recognizing I don’t need to (and can’t) do it all myself is hard and necessary. Asking for help with Olive or Phoebe is easy — the skills of others are trained in ways mine aren’t. But for tasks that we could have handled ourselves a few years ago, that’s much harder. There is grace in both asking, and if we are lucky, receiving.
I am very thankful for this virtual village of dogs and the people who love them. You all have helped us in ways too numerous to count.
I am also thankful that Phoebe will be 13 the day after Thanksgiving. She who came out of thin air once her prison-of-a-crate door was opened, has no hips, has warts in weird places, and never met a human she didn’t love to lick, has lived longer and better than we ever thought possible.
Peace and Thanks to All.
Jacquelyn Kobierecki says
Simply, thank you.
Jill says
Love your rug and am also thankful for having read Joyful thanks to you.
Ralph A Matacchieri says
I am thankful for my 3 daughters and my 3 grandchildren (one each), my 3 fur babies, my neighbors who are helping me get through my ankle replacement and the Putnam Humane Society for bot killing all my other charges.
Cydney Levanetz says
I’m grateful for this weekly blog, it gives me joy in the middle of my hectic week.
I’m grateful for the sun on cold days.
I’m grateful for the rare hug from my teenager, it gives me hope we will come out of the teenage years intact.
I’m grateful for full moon lit nights.
I’m grateful when my car starts in the morning.
I’m grateful when my husband plans dinner on my long Fridays, even if it’s just pizza at the Costco counter.
I’m grateful for the ability to run, it reminds me I’m not that old, yet.
MaryAnn Foley says
I’m SO thankful for loving and knowledgeable people who shepherd me through challenges and crises with my Dogs, helping me to understand them and what they need from me, thus helping me to be a better “Steward” of G-d’s amazing creation. And you, dear Patricia McConnell, are very close to the top of my support team.
Catherine M Noftz says
I am thankful that I live part of my dream life every day. As a kid in Michigan my dream was to have a lot of dogs and live way out in the country. My home for 30 years has been Vermont. We are pretty much at the Canadian border. And I have 9 dogs. Two of them belong to senior folks who can’t handle daily care. The owners take their dogs as they are able. I am thankful that I can help keep dog and owner together for longer. Thankful that my motley crew…..Leo down to Havanese is easy going and (mostly) follow the rules. Really thankful for a loving husband who tolerates all this. And 2 incredible sons, always there when a sitter for dog and woodstove is needed.
Peggy Grow says
I am deeply grateful that I had the opportunity to personally meet you, Patricia, at the UPenn conference in April. I love reading your blog and your books. Additionally, all of us are enriched by the love and companionship we receive from our animals. What a true blessing.
Helena James says
I am grateful for the people in my life, for the places in my life, and for dogs and horses. I am also grateful for facebook and the internet, which have connected me to like-minded and different-minded people all over the country and broadened my horizons. And for my life-long love of books, dogs and horses (oh, did I already mention them?) and the natural world. For health and a happy marriage to a good man. For adult children and grandchildren. For retirement. When I start listing them, there are so many things to be grateful for.
Thank you for your books and blog, Trisha.
Adrienne K says
It is so beautiful to read all the things written here. I can add a list a mile long. I am grateful that I recognize all my blessings and never take them for granted. I thoroughly appreciate all the good and beautiful things in my life but I am also grateful for those things that were difficult and taught me lessons that eventually brought me to finding serenity in my life. I am grateful for the life my incredible husband I made for and with each other and for the people who helped us get where we are when things were difficult . And finally but not lastly I am grateful for all the fur babies in our life who brought us joy and love and lastly tears when we had to let them go. Now we have the icing on the cake. We have our sweet Zasu a moyen black poodle who is every wonderful thing anyone could ask for in a fur baby.
Monika & Sam says
Very best wishes for a wonderfully blessed Thanksgiving and ‘howlidya’ season in general.
Stella says
I am thankful for all the wonderful trainers, like you, who are so willing to share your knowledge and experience so that we can have that great relationship with our furry friends. Of course, I am also thankful for so many of the things you mentioned plus all the wonderful people who do rescue and save those poor souls needing a second chance at a forever home. Both of my boys are rescues as have been my rainbow bridge kids and my future kids will be.
Trisha says
And thank you for naming your dog Zasu, a word so fun to say that I am going to say it all day long. I love the sounds of words… I am “spatchcocking” a turkey tomorrow in part because I want to be able to say that word over and over again. It makes me laugh every time I say it. (A friend asked last night if spatchcocking was actually legal. How lucky I am that such foolishness brings me so much happiness.)
Trisha says
Catherine, you saint you. What a wonderful thing to do for your senior neighbors. My heart just got a little bigger thinking about what you do for them.
Trisha says
Ditto re the sun, the car and the husband “doing” dinner. Our version is also pizza. I order it on the phone, he drives to go get it. That’s on the menu tonight, so I can focus on getting lots of the courses for the dinner tomorrow done ahead of time. (Already made the cranberry sauce, corn bread for the stuffing, sauteed the apples, onions and celery for the stuffing. Tonight, after Pilattes and a hair cut, I’ll make the mashed potatoes and spatchcock the turkey. (There, I got to say it again.) (And another aside: In fairness to my husband, I should mention he makes the best scrambled eggs ever and is the primary chef when fish is on the menu.)
Jeanne Ballinger says
Your post reminds us all to never take our lives for granted. Sadly, many cannot be thankful their basic needs are being met; shelter, food, good health, and the love of family and friends. I live in beautiful East Tennessee and promised myself when I moved here from the midwest that I would never take these breathtaking mountains for granted. I must agree with Chris Wells that I too am thankful for retirement. As a former teacher for 32 years, I am so thankful for all the children I’ve met through the years, many of who taught me more than I could ever teach them. I’m especially thankful to live with my daughter so that I spend every day with my beautiful and challenging 2 year old granddaughter, the joy of my life. I’m thankful for my fur baby, a red German Shepherd mix, whose ears match your Maggie’s ears, and who taught me about unconditional love. I’m thankful for all the dogs I have had the pleasure of working with and training at a local shelter. And finally, I am most thankful for my son and daughter, for all their love and support. Thank you for sharing your life with us!
Linda Anderson says
I am grateful for daily walks with my rescue dog, Chance, who was very fearful and is growing into a gentleman for all occasions! For my 4 cats, one of whom likes to meditate every morning with me, offering her purring as a melodic background to my silence. For the priest who has turned a life of despair into hope, and encouraged a spiritual journey of joy. For friends, family and for chickens!
Mary Beth Stevens says
First of all, thank you for this post, as I have loved thinking about my list of gratitudes! Top of the list – a husband and partner who is my biggest fan. I wouldn’t be who I am today without him, and I LIKE who I am today! (Something else to be grateful for❤️). Grateful that almost exactly 4 years ago today we added a dog to our life, and then last year, another one. Grateful that they are SO different in personality and character! Grateful for the jillion times a day one of us says, “oh, look at her/him NOW!”. Grateful for people of wisdom and experience who have helped in all of my current endeavors – that’s where YOU come in, Patricia McConnell.😊 Grateful for surprises in life, grateful for new activities and friends that come along hand-in-hand with those new activities. Whew! REALLY grateful that I could go on, and on, and on with this list. I’ll be thinking about this all day😘
Julie Dorsey-Oskerka says
I am thankful for the kind and loving people who rescue and seek humane methods for behavioral problems. And I am thankful for all YOU have taught us and continue to teach us – your writing is beautiful and sharing your words and compassion is my blessing.
Shasta & Spencer's mom says
So, so many things to be thankful for! For each day that I am able to rise, put one foot in front of the other & go to work. That I have job(s) & am able to do them. For my dear, sweet, amazing pups Shasta (12.5 yr golden) & Spencer (11 yr golden rescue), who are the best part of me and also the best part of every day. For my parents, both in their 80’s & dad fighting through chemo- growing old is not for sissies is my mum’s phrase – for dear friends who help me get through whatever I need help getting through. This lovely circle of pet lovers who understand the need for animals in our lives, because of & perhaps despite whatever challenges having animals bring us – most especially the despair of not being able to take away their pain & the immense sorrow of losing them however that happens. The belief that things WILL get better for us.
Karen says
I’m forever grateful for my salvation and for my relationship with my precious LORD! Amen!
lak says
I am grateful for my life! I am grateful I can still wake up and be excited when I see fresh snow in the morning. I am grateful for all the opportunities life has afforded me, even those I was reluctant to try. I am grateful for my pittie rescue Noel, my “bestie”, who shows me how to get and stay excited, even over a walk at 10 degrees faraheit! I am grateful for your blog and insight, I have learned so much reading here and also your books. Thank you from a novice dog owner! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours and all the readers here!
Rhonda Metzler says
I am so thankful for all the wonderful information and experience you’ve shared over the years with all of us! I am also thankful for the healing that dogs bring in to my life. I’m thankful for my son who has shown such compassion the past two weeks for my shortcomings and I’m thankful to the Universe for providing everything I could possibly need!
Quichehound says
1. Grateful for my best dog, Quiche. We make each other laugh every day. She is wise and confident and a smashing companion for adventures great and small.
2. Grateful for the young up-and-comer puppy, and especially grateful that one day, teething will end.
3. Grateful for some guy I married, who is always the kindest and smartest person in the room, and whose sense of humor and perspective keep me happy and grounded.
4. Wine.
5. This community and the delightful, scientifically sound, and compassionate writing of one McConnell. Thank you for helping shape my dogs into sweet and socially savvy lil things!
Betsy Lane says
I’m thankful for the strong network of doctors, nurses, family, friends, and animals who are supporting my husband (and me) through a very sudden, very scary cancer diagnosis he received last week. There is always something to be grateful for—ALWAYS.
Quichehound says
OH BOY, I am also EXTREMELY GRATEFUL for good winter boots and AWD. The dogs are also grateful although they probably don’t entirely understand how those things enrich their days!
emje mccarty says
surviving & healing
Alice R. says
I’m thankful for a family I love, that loves me back. That does, of course include Arlo, my pup. I’m grateful for the friends I have that watched out for me this year when I lost my two best friends in one year – and I am, oh so thankful, for the opportunity to love and be loved by them. Enough food, and good enough health. The small things that are never really small: my husband’s grin, and a dog that still thinks he fits in my lap.
Kathy Rost says
I am thankful that my husband has been able to capture the 5 squirrels who were in our walls. And I am thankful for my dog Kate who stood watch for 4 days while we were dealing with this.
Jann Becker says
I’m thankful for being allowed to get my two cents in even though I’m not a dog pro; thankful that 9-year-old Kira is still relatively healthy (except those darn hips;) and little Dooley’s still a charmer (who now knows I’m not trying to drown him in the shower.)
My husband’s finding interest that will carry him into eventual retirement, and he’s found a buyer for his medical practice who’s a very good doctor and good person.
Grateful that my son’s got 3 1/2 years of sobriety and is showing signs of growing up at 25, and grateful to have found interesting “dog people” including you, Trisha.
widogmom says
Thank you for your wonderful blog! I am thankful for my family (DH and the dogs, Abby and Teder), thankful that I knew Mi Chico de Sol, Pablo, who left us last December, and thankful for all the dogs I’ve ever owned, especially the difficult ones, like Pablo’s successor, Teder (it means “gentle” in Dutch…wishful thinking!) who are the best teachers. Speaking of teachers, I’m thankful to have a terrific obedience instructor who is helping me make Teder travel-safe for our upcoming trip to Yuma (for which I am VERY thankful!) and helping us build a positive relationship (he’s a man’s dog, who we rescued at age 6 last April). As far as little things, I’m thankful for chickadees and nuthatches who moon my security cameras, for friends who make me laugh, and for peppermint oil, which has kept MOST of the mice out of our basement this fall…so far! Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!
CJ in Canada says
I’m thankful for this blog – I’ve learned so much in the past 10 years, and get to indulge my (unused) zoology degree.
I’m thankful that I got to tell my new BC puppy’s vet about how awesome the info is that you share!
I’m very very thankful that reading this blog helped me adopt me new wee BC puppy (wee being the operative word these days, lol) and help him get along with my still-spunky 9 yr old Aussie girl. And to the vet tech who sent him my way!
I’m thankful that it’s not hard to find good people – from fellow readers to strangers who hold doors open for each other.
lin says
Thankful for rain and CLEAN air after two weeks of Bay Area smoke and air quality that made me think of Los Angeles in the smoggy 70s. Thankful for a house when so many have lost theirs.
Thankful for the recent news that my employer is picking up the increase in our health care premiums after not doing so for 10 years. Yeah for our unions and a little more in our pockets.
May everyone have a glorious weekend, and those celebrating Thanksgiving have lots of good eats!
Nancy says
I am thankful for many things that have already been listed! And I am deeply thankful for the opportunities I have everyday to love and help children who are struggling. And I’m thankful for everything I have learned from you about behavior. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Judy in Hannacroix says
Among the many everyday constants of my laughter- and hug-inducing English Cockers and all-American cats and the outdoor sights and sounds of my rural neighborhood, I want to add three to the riches you have already noted.
Thanks to my neighbors without whom my life here would be an isolated mess.
Thanks for the chances retirement gives me to know family and friends better.
Thanks to my wonderful veterinarians who have supported my crew through many, many eventful years.
Helen says
Grateful for simply being alive; for all the creature comforts I enjoy; for finding love again (need to appreciate him more often); for connecting with this lovely blog and recognising that for all the bad news in the world there are many like-minded folks with gentle hearts out there. And, of course, grateful for my latest crew of three, my staffy x rescue girl (at least 12 years old) my mini poodle maniac, and my little bichpoo and what they have taught me about training. Thank you, Patricia for the opportunity to connect with you and all the other fur-covered souls out there.
Ashley Jeanne says
I am grateful for the simple, humble life I’ve cultivated. I am grateful for meaningful, honest, and inspiring friendships. I am grateful for the marriage I have and the lessons motherhood has given me. I am grateful for the challenges and triumphs that being outnumbered by so many dogs under one roof brings. I am grateful for the doors that have been unlocked within my soul through my work with rehabilitating dogs. Oh, and I’m grateful for tea and blueberry buckle!
Marilyn Allen says
I’m thankful for the the opportunity to be a part of Susquehanna Service Dogs, a program of Keystone Human Services, and for the dedicated staff and volunteers who give so freely of their time and energy to breed, raise and train such valuable, life-changing service animals.
Jenny Haskins says
We’ve been having a bad few weeks 🙁 So :
I am grateful we haven’t had cyclones, heavy hail storms or fires.
I am grateful to my husband for his patience and support.
I am grateful to my friends for their kindness.
I am grateful for canned soups — and to my dentist, even though restoring the missing tooth seems to be a long term business 🙁
Not particularly grateful to the vet who gave me no joy re Ironbark’s sudden collapse (a fall we think, on our kitchen tiles 🙁 which damaged his back 🙁
Vicky Schettl says
I am thankful for my 18.5yr feline who seeks me out for lap sitting and nightly sleeping. I am thankful for my redbone coonhound who keeps me on my toes and moving. I am thankful for having met you, Doc, at the Oshkosh writers conference in May. Wish I had came up to you sooner, so I had more time to “pick your brain”, but it was an honor non the less. I am thankful for the folks in my life who stay. I am thankful for the small things. I am thankful…
Louise Wholey says
I am thankful to still be kicking at 77 years old. I just finished cutting firewood from the national forest near my mountain home with my chainsaw and signed up for a Scuba diving trip to the Galapagos. Life is good – still busy. I am grateful for my husband for 44 wonderful years, my daughter for getting me into diving and caving again, and my amazing shepherd mix dog for 6 fun and entertaining years. I am grateful for friends and neighbors, and grateful to have a home, clothes, nourishing food, toys (actually gear to do a lot of gear-intensive sports or activities), cars, airplane, investments and money in the bank. Life is good. Thanks for the reminder to think about it!
Diane Mattson says
Hello from BC Canada.
I am thankful for my family and glad we are all living in same town now.
Thankful for our new house, which felt like home the first time we stepped inside.
Thankful for our sweet puggle, Bridget and glad she is still very healthy and frisky.
I am thankful for all those who care for their fellow creatures and help make their lives better. A special salute to parents of a former student, who adopted a blind, epileptic toy poodle pup. They knew she’d have a short lifespan but gave her a loving home. She only lived four years but they were good years, and she lives on in their hearts.
I enjoy this site. Thanks, Trish, and thanks to everyone here.
Ellen Smits says
I am thankful for the internet so I can enjoy your posts whenever I want.
I am thankful for meeting awesome people and doglovers.
I am thankful for my beautiful brown/white coloured Stabyhoun puppy.
I am thankful for all the people over here because reading all those positive posts make me feel happy and even more thankful.
Debby Gray says
I am thankful for far flung family that make Thanksgiving trips so much fun.
I’m grateful for the 12.5 years I had with my dog MeMe.
And I’m grateful to the couple who rescued my new dog Monty when he craweled up on their porch, skin and bones from the vet’s estimate of 2 months’ wandering in rural Kentucky.
And of course so thankful that Monty has come to live with me bundle of joy, energy and anxiety that he is.
Terry Baer-Brooks says
I very recently and unexpectedly lost the light of my life, my 12 1/2 year old golden, Jackson. As lost and devastated as I feel, I am so incredibly grateful to have shared in his life, to have had his love and to have learned from his joyous approach to every single day. On the last day of his life, Jackson did what he loved best-swam in a lake and rolled on the grass with his feet kicking the air with joyous abandon. He opened the door of my heart, and made me happy every single day. This gift is first and foremost in my mind and heart right now, but I also have so much else to be grateful for. My wife of 22 years, our JRT Russel, our 2 cats, our health and the love of friends who understand the importance of our fur-kids in our lives. Thank you to all who try to make the world a kinder place to live, especially for all of our four footed friends who don’t have a voice.
Shana says
I would have to say that in these times of divisiveness and negativity there has been an absolutely huge outpouring of volunteers, love, prayers, donations, support and empathy for all of the victims of the fires just 2 hours north of me here in California. I am so grateful to see that beautiful side of humanity again and it is a great reminder of what humans are capable of- I’m so thankful for that. I am so grateful that at 50, I can be so excited about transitioning into a new career as a dog-trainer (people-trainer 🙂 that I can barely sleep! And needless to say, like so many of your readers, Patricia I am grateful for YOU; For your kindness, your sensitivity and all that I am learning from you through your engaging, humorous, exciting and tangible lessons. (I’m a little too excited to go through all your books though, I need to calm down). Lastly, where did you get that photo at the top of this page?? That may well be the prettiest nature photo I’ve ever seen!! Happy Thanksgiving all!
Barb Stanek says
So much to be thankful for. Three thoughts come to mind on top of my list.
On November 20, my dog Sawyer pointed out that there was a cougar outside the 8′ fence around our back yard! The cougar stayed only for about 30 seconds, long enough for me to see it and be thrilled. Never thought I’d see one in Town of Omro, Wisconsin.
There is a group that does NACSW scent work in Green Bay. I feel so lucky to have found it and to be included in the classes and sniff-n-goes and trials and everything. Truly experiences I treasure and am grateful for.
And of course, my boy Sawyer. Without this dog, none of the above would have happened. Yet, here he is. Asking very little of me. Leaping to join me in any activity and with a second’s notice. Sharing my life. What a gift.
Nic1 says
I’m grateful for Netflix producing a beautiful and compassionate documentary series about our relationships with dogs.
It’s called ‘Dogs’ and it’s a stunning and extremely moving example of humanity at its best (although a bit disappointing to see metal choke collars on service dogs at 4 Paws for Ability.)😩
http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/amp25226613/dogs-netflix-review/
LisaW says
Nic1, thank you for the review. I had seen that listed on Netflix and needed a nudge. I just watched two of the stories as my relaxing four-days-off winds down. You are right, it is very well done and so moving. Zeus is a one-in-a-million dog! Thanks! (And I agree re: choke collars, it’s a common sight on many service dogs. Not sure why and especially with a head harness, too.)
Chris from Boise says
SO many things to be thankful for. Trisha – you listed all my big ones. Well, another big one: Hot water – every time I turn on the shower I know what a luxury it is, and how I appreciate it!
Small ones: backrubs. Clickers. Baby greens in the cold frame. Chickens talking among themselves. Obi racing with new trail buddies. Hiking!
I’m thankful most every moment of every day – it’s a side benefit of aging and facing mortality, and a wonderful way to live (took me a lot of years to learn it!).
Nic1 says
LisaW so glad you enjoyed it so far. Bravo Zeus, bravo….And Rory – what an absolute star. It was filmed like he was a superstar waiting to make his entrance. The anticipation and hope from the family and the resolution – just beautiful.
Wait for Ice! 😍
Finally figuring out that on my death bed I will say ‘why didn’t I spend more of my time with dogs’
🙂🐶
Trisha says
Oh yes, hot water! I’m afraid I’m guilty of using a lot of it. I’m happy to do all kinds of things to conserve energy, but a cold or quick shower isn’t one of them!
Trisha says
Thanks for this Nic1! Our Netflix isn’t working at the moment (grrrr), but I can’t wait to watch this show too.
Trisha says
Cougar! Cool! As a farmer with sheep and baby lambs in spring, I should have been dismayed to learn that a neighbor’s trail cam recorded a cougar between Blue Mounds and Black Earth. But I was actually thrilled. We truly need to find ways to co-exist with large, wild animals, and I love that you were happy to see one too!
Trisha says
Shana: Thank you so much for the shout out to all the people who have given so much for the victims of the fires. I join with you in your gratitude, and have so much sympathy for the victims. And thank you too for the comment about the photograph. I took it a few years ago at the Japanese Gardens in Portland, OR. I’ve always loved it, but bringing it out for this post and your comment motivated me to get it enlarged. I’m going to put it in our newly remodeled bathroom. Oh boy.
Trisha says
I just want to add that I have loved reading your comments, and felt fed and nurtured by them every morning. I’m going to read through the all one last time this week. Thank you so much for taking the time to write.
HFR says
I love the Netflix doc “Dogs” too. What is so impressive about it is that it is about the people as much as it is about dogs. It’s not the usual aren’t-dogs-amazing tripe that you see in so many dog docs. It shows how dogs are a part of life and the role they play in so many worlds. I was particularly impressed with Ice in Italy. He doesn’t sniff out cancer or drugs, herd sheep or find missing people. He’s just a good ol’ companion and comfort-giver. I think he wins for the greatest ever dog life. And what a wonderful snapshot into the life of a fisherman and the dwindling resources of Lake Como. Just beautiful. I haven’t watched them all because I’m “saving” them. I know I will be sad when I’m done.
Nic1 says
Agree HFR. I like this review but it does have some spoilers if you decide to read it.
‘As bad as the world may seem to have gotten, dogs never seem to lose faith in humanity, and judging by the two-legged subjects seen in “Dogs,” maybe people shouldn’t lose faith in humanity either.’
http://www.indiewire.com/2018/11/dogs-review-netflix-series-amy-berg-glen-zipper-1202021205/amp/
HFR says
That review says it all! Thanks.