Gratitude

 As the holiday season wraps up and we are greeted with the quiet promise of a whole new year, I find myself thinking about gratitude. Holidays are meant to be full of joy but for many they can also remind us of the absence of a loved one. When you sit down to the table where one place setting is noticeably vacant, it is hard to feel merry and fun. For some the vacant seat is a parent, spouse or child. For other’s it is a beloved pet who brought them joy and love.
As I thought on these matters I was struck by the love that animals bring us, in its many forms. My young cat shortened my life expectancy by a few minutes when she tried to pounce on me through the shower curtain this morning. She fell in a tumbled mess at my feet under the full spray of the shower and then extended all of her claws and scrabbled back out again. When I got out and cuddled her up in my towel she gave my hand an affectionate swipe with her rough tongue and rewarded me with an enthusiastic purr. My older cat is less catastrophic in his efforts of engagement with me, but there can be little doubt how he feels when he settles behind my knees on the sofa next to the fire. My blind dog may run into trees sometimes during our walks, but she runs straight as an arrow to the door when I get home at night to greet me.
These are little events, forgotten in a day’s time. But aren’t they all little gifts of love and worth celebrating? My beautiful little friends lift me up with their love.
I will endeavor to be worthy of them. This is also our motto at Copper Hill and may we foster and support all the love that they give so unselfishly. It is certainly a thing to be grateful for.  All our best wishes for the New Year.
Please call Copper Hill Animal Clinic at 661-296-8848 to schedule an appointment.