Giving Thanks With Our Furry Friends
November 26, 2009
(ZT Pet News Photo by Haley Finnegan.)
Although, many countries world wide celebrate after a fruitful harvest season, in America, Thanksgiving is more than a feast. It is being in the company of loved ones (friends, family, and our pets!) and continuing traditions that were passed on before our country even had a name. It is the oldest American holiday, dating back to 1621, when the pilgrims feasted with native tribe, the Wampanoags, at Plymouth Colony in present day Massachusetts.
A little over 200 years later, President Lincoln (who had a dog named Fido) declared it a national day of thanksgiving in his "Proclamation of Thanksgiving" after being urged by Sarah Josepha Hale (who wrote "Mary Had A Little Lamb") to have a set day each year for all of the states to give thanks. And since then, it has become a holiday full of cherished tradition.
Americans, young and old, spend the weeks before the holiday in preparation. School teachers teach their students to trace their hands on colored paper to make turkey decorations (many Americans can trace back grades K-5 by the size of their turkey hands!), families bake assortments of pies, and kids plan out ways to sneak their vegetables to the dog under the table.
But when it comes down to it, the size of the feast or the commonality of the tradition is not what is most important... It's taking the time to reflect on the year in passing and giving thanks for what we have (whether it be tangible or intangible).
K9 in the City asks California and their precious pups what they are thankful for in this video. Check it out and enjoy the holiday! (And remember, if you are going to sneak food to your pet who is anxiously waiting under your Thanksgiving table, be sure to check for bones and not to give them too much!)
Tell us what you think about “Giving Thanks With Our Furry Friends” below or submit story ideas for K9 in the City by e-mailing Haley Finnegan at: hfinnegan@zootoo.com.
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by di (booboopugs)
2 months ago - Flag this
0 users voted. Good Point
Having just sending a jack russell home after fostering him for three months, I often placed myself in his owner and his predicument, homeless and jobless. I myself have a high education and lost a great job due to state cutbacks, and felt that I wanted nothing but to answer the call of a person and his beloved companion in need. My son got the call that a past friend was contiplating if not started to commit suicide because of the situation of living in frigid weather with just having someone steal his clothes and loss of a job. We interviened with a response of non selfishness and opened what we had to him, and after a few days of assistance, comfort, and knowing his beloved dog would be cared for, gave him inspiration that life was worth living, however rough it is. Finding a job at subway and one of the local minister taking him in, we placed him on his feet. You could tell on his visits how much each loved each other, and when time came to part it was like a parent and child. I often placed myself in his shoes and thought about my loved furry friends and what could happen. How many families have had to part from their furry friends and how much they mean in my life. Both dog and owner were reunited leaving oklahoma to be with a parent that offered a job in the southeast. count your blessings people, we really no matter how bad it is always can find love in our hearts, the least given is sometimes the most received. remember, my dad always said it begins with a smile, peace and joy for the new year, i worry about how next month rent will be paid, and keep reminding god, i am here to serve, just find me a career that will make a better tommorrow.