Tomorrow, we celebrate Thanksgiving 2025 so time again to count my furry blessings. The holiday changes each year, with new joys and challenges that somehow (mostly) sooths the pain of our sorrows. Thanksgiving, a time of reflection, helps reset lives that continue to change.

This year, my 98-year-old Dad will spend his second Thanksgiving at his new assisted living home. My younger brother and his wife (and two dogs) arrive to visit him today and spend tomorrow celebrating the hoiday. In late October, our whole family planned to visit him for his birthday–but I had to cancel at the last minute due to my husband’s unexpected health emergency (he’s fine now…and working on healing). My twin brother and his family will visit Dad over Christmas.

I wish we lived closer and could spend more time with him and both my brothers’ families. Once my husband’s doc appointments clear him and offer a path forward, we plan to visit Dad ASAP. Meanwhile, we have long phone conversations frequently, with lots of laughter and reminiscing. After all, I’m “me” because of my wonderful parents–Mom now gone for over four years–so we can’t really ever be totally apart. There’s that balance, I mentioned.

Counting Thanksgiving Blessings

Many of my blessings don’t change from year to year. I remain thankful to veterinarians who make life better for the pets we adore. I’m deeply sad to have lost our longtime veterinarian Dr. Clay Morris unexpectedly this past summer, and the closing of Brakebill Veterinary Hospital, but grateful to find another caring veterinary home with Texoma Veterinary Hospital.

I’m thankful for researchers who work to find diagnoses, treatments, and cures for our ailments, both for pets and for people. And I’m especially grateful to busy researchers who answer my out-of-the-blue emails with gracious answers to (probably) dumb questions so I can share with y’all. And I’m thankful for the animal welfare volunteers who do the work of the angels when others somehow let pets down.

I’m thankful that I have the best job in the world, sharing information about the cats and dogs that have become so important to our emotional and physical health. I’m thankful for publishers, editors, magazines, newspapers, TV and radio shows, websites, bloggers, and email lists that share these important resources to benefit cats and dogs and the people who love them. And I’m thankful to writing organizations, teachers, agents, and all those who promote the craft of good communication and help others pursue this rewarding work.

Counting Pet Blessings

I’m thankful that we found a dumped kitten over a decade ago, and brought him into our home. I’m thankful that Karma-Kat dodged coyotes, cars, and who-knows-what to find our patio. I’m thankful that Magical-Dawg heard his meow-SOS, and that the little, dumped kitten trusted me enough to come when I meowed back.

I’m grateful that nobody claimed Karma—although shame on whoever dumped him!—and that he and Magical-Dawg became best buddies. I’m thankful that Karma turned back the age-clock for both Magic and Seren-kitty in their last few years with us.

I’m thankful that we found Bravo-Dawg the Bullmastiff at just the right time. He helped Karma-Kat (and us) emerge from deep mourning after we lost Magic and Seren. I’m thankful Karma and Bravo became inseparable friends—even though their antics threaten the safety of our fine breakables—and even though Bravo’s cancer cut short their friendship.

I’m thankful for responsible breeders who ensure purebred dogs and pedigreed cats have a healthy paw-start in life. I’m thankful that we had Magical-dawg for eleven years, and Seren-Kitty for nearly 22 years.

I’m still missing them, and always will. But now can smile about the water-hose-tag, Bear-toys, Frisbee-tag, Seren pester-sessions and a Karma-Kat buddy that made their last years bliss.

I’m thankful that modern veterinary medicine helped diagnose and treat Bravo-Dawg’s osteosarcoma during the @#$%^!! pandemic. I’m grateful that a dumped puppy became Bravo’s Shadow, a beacon of hope and good cheer during an incredibly difficult time. And I’m grateful we had the gift of a joyous Bravo-Dawg, and I will treasure the memories we shared.

And I’m incredibly thankful that Shadow-Pup and Karma-Kat have become besties.

Trinity Has Landed…And Taken Over!

I’m also thankful for ANOTHER dumped kitten. Trinity arrived at less than 2 pounds, full of fleas–and ready to eat her way through house and home. Within days, she’d bullied Karma into falling in love with her, and charmed Shadow-Pup from the beginning. That rarely happens, and I know we are blessed–and so very grateful. I’m grateful that last week at her first annual checkup, the vet pronounced her happy, healthy, and delightful at 9.7 pounds of love. What a difference a year makes!

Trinity has turned back the clock on Karma’s creeping age. Karma lost several pounds and has regained his youthful c’attitude, with all the chasing and wrestling. Both cats have decided they like lap sitting, yay!

Counting Chosen Family Blessings

I’m thankful that although he never grew up with pets, my husband loves Karma, Shadow, and Trinity, and that he mourns our past pets. I’m even more thankful they adore him back (that could get awkward!).

I’m thankful that my husband’s severe sudden back pain has been diagnosed, and that we have caring doctors now on our team putting together a plan.

I’m thankful for my church family–pet lovers or not–who also support my furry notions. And I’m thankful for our new pastor Adam Stockton who has helped lead us through a traumatic transition when we lost Pastor Craig Sturm.

This year, I’ve had to scale back opportunities playing my cello, Melody, due to conflicts with my husband’s treatments. But I’m still grateful to get to play in uplifting ensembles with talented musicians who have over the years become dear friends. That includes my theater family–onstage, backstage, in the loft playing music or the costume shop creating fantasmagorical fun transformations. The artist community allows all to volunteer time and talent, welcoming folks from all backgrounds and experience levels, with open arms. We become a chosen family, celebrating each other’s successes and lifting each other up in challenging times.

I’m thankful for the gift of music and theatre I get to share with colleagues who have become wonderful friends. I’m thankful for the ability to stay connected via tools like Zoom, and share *virtual hugs* when we can’t meet in person. And I’m thankful for my partner-in-play-writing-crime and dear friend Frank who helped make our theatrical dreams come true.

Thankful for YOU!

Finally, I’m thankful to you—yes, those who read this blog, the Pets Peeves newsletter, the cat book lovers, and the dog book lovers, and folks who have “adopted” my thriller series. I’m thankful for my editor in Canada and my cover designer in England, my audiobook mastering-maven in Estonia, and for those who take a chance diving into my imaginary pets-never-die-and-good-always-wins fiction world. I think these days we all need a vacation from reality, what do you think? And those who offered awesome applause and support any of the other venues mentioned. You’ll see more about my latest thriller in other recent blog posts.

This Thanksgiving, give yourself some love and WAY TO GO! For many, it continues to be a challenging time. But we will get through this, and it helps me to count my blessings. You, dear readers, are one of my most cherished blessings.

I truly believe a happier world begins with healthy, joyful pets. God put me here for the pets and those who love them (especially the pet lovers who feel scared and uncertain what to do). So thank you for allowing me to live my dream. I hope my presence in this world makes a positive difference for you and your pets.

Without you, I would not have a career, and my life’s passion would remain unfulfilled. Without you, your pets wouldn’t have the wonderful love and care you provide. Without you, there wouldn’t be any reason for this heartfelt—THANK YOU.