2008.11.30
Still counting blessings
Just because Thanksgiving is over doesn't mean we should stop counting our blessings. Here's a brief and incomplete list of people, places and things that the Roanoke Times pets blogger and columnist is grateful for, personally and professionally:
Gainful employment working with a staff of great people and a boss who is very supportive; Sarah Orrick and Star City Greyhound Adoptions; Hope, LaTonya, Carolyn and the other angels that help Saint Sarah rescue all those wonderful greyhounds; Kathy Perdue, Anne Marie Sweeney and the staff and volunteers at the Roanoke Valley SPCA; Molly Bell and all the good folks who devote endless volunteer hours to the League of Animal Protection; Lauren Ellerman, Amy Morgan, Christa Hall Stephens, Vickie McCormick and the rest of the Roanoke Dog Park supporters; NewVa Connects for trying to make a difference; the completely amazing Pooch Professor Katie Halsted and Six Wags Dog Park; Angels of Assisi for helping so many animals; Lindsey Nair for being supportive and inspirational with this blog and the print column; blog readers Kim, Deborah, Ed S., Michelle, Amy Hanek, Dana and all other daily visitors for faithfully reading here; blog commenters Clay and Erin for standing up to a bully on behalf of pit bulls; author Lorie Long; Bark magazine for making me smile every other month; Frosty Paws frozen dog treats for making my dogs smile once a week; Sands Woody at Trio Bar Bottle Bistro for hospitality for so many animal-related causes, Tidy Cat immediate odor control litter; Temptations cat treats; Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and the National Geographic channel show "Dogtown;" my wonderful neighbors Beth Hall, the Gray family and the Carter family; Matt the Scoop Group guy; the doctors and staff at Pet Health Clinic and all the amazing people at Virginia Tech veterinary medical school; St. Francis Service Dogs; Shanna Flowers and Heather Froeschl, two people who always make me smile at work; Science Diet Sensitive Stomach formula for making my dogs more pleasant to be around; a Dyson vacuum that makes my house more pleasant to be in; the FURminator that makes the Dyson's job a little easier; Weight Watchers for helping me find my balance this year; Starbucks coffee for helping me get out of bed; the beauty of the Roanoke Valley and of course, for my family: Phil, Laura, India, Thai, Dexter, Coral and little Stormy for the unlimited love and endless inspiration.
There is so much to be thankful for in our lives. I am thankful for your blog which I look forward to every day and thankful for my puppy Holly who actually isn't a puppy any longer...as of December 1, 2008 she will be two years old...unbelievable. I'm thankful for the updates on Stormy who gives you great stories to write...and I could go on and on!!! Thank you!
Comment by Deborah — November 30, 2008 @ 8:54 pm
Awww... so sweet, yet so wise. Gratitude is, after all, the secret to happiness. Way to hit the nail on the head Nona!
Comment by Amy Hanek — December 1, 2008 @ 11:24 am
Hey cool! I got a shout out! Thanks Nona, for all that you do.
Comment by heatherfroeschl — December 1, 2008 @ 12:27 pm
We bloggers should be giving thanks to you for the Happy Wag! I enjoy reading about other folks pets and like to proudly boast about my "kids" like everyone else!
I would also like to add to the list: scoopable cat litter, Gentle Leader dog leash, pop-up travel dog kennels, cat food that my cat isn't allergic to and lint rollers!!
Comment by Kim — December 1, 2008 @ 4:34 pm