Reasons to be thankful for your pet(s)

I remember as a child, one of my family's Thanksgiving traditions while we where sitting around the dinner table was for each of us in turn to list a few things that we where thankful for. As pet parents, I think there are a lot of things about our pets that we should be thankful for, even if some of them we usually take for granted.

For many pet owners, it's hard to picture our lives without our furry (or scaly, bald, feathered, etc) friends. They become such an important and integral part of our daily lives that sometimes it can be easy for us to overlook all the things they do to better our lives.

What are some of the things you love about your pet? What about them are you thankful for?

Some of the things you're thankful for might be more common. Things like the unconditional love you receive from your pet, their companionship, or their ability to make you laugh. Some things might not be so common place. Pets make amazing exercise partners, mood enhancers, and friends. Some pets work as therapy animals, whether officially or unofficially, as service animals, or in other ways that are helpful to us. Some of them even save lives. From our backyards to war zones, animals give us countless reasons why we should feel thankful for them.

The online pet community Beast Boards (link above) is currently hosting a "what I'm thankful for" pet photo contest. It's a great way to show off, with pictures, some of the things your pet(s) do that make you thankful to have them in your life. The winner of the contest and their winning photo will be featured on the Beast Boards website as Member of the Month for the month of December.

This holiday season, while you're thinking about all the things you have to be thankful for, don't forget to include your pet! Maybe even show them your appreciation in a special way, whether it be a special treat or new toy or just some extra attention. During the holiday season and all year long, remember never to take your pet for granted.