GRATITUDE

GRATEFUL FOR DOGS

In recent years, many folks have found that giving thanks can be a remedy for the blues. A gratitude practice may calm the heart and mind, helping to shift our perspective from life’s tribulations to all the other things we’re thankful to have in our lives. Which, if you’re reading this, almost certainly includes dogs.

As dog lovers, we get to bask in the unfettered affections of our canine friends, melting away stress as we bury our hands in their soft coats or stare into their trusting eyes. And what power the canine has: their souls distilled into the essence of goodness, their tails wagging in appreciation. For these and so many more reasons, we’re grateful for dogs.

As we tumble toward a new year full of unknowns, our annual Gratitude issue is a reminder to take a page from our pups. This month’s features include A World of Thanks: Service Dogs and the Gift of Independence from NICST; Thank You, Dogs: A Canine Researcher’s Grateful Look Back by Dr. Ian Dunbar of Dunbar Academy; Attachment, Gratitude, and the Dogs Who Keep Me Grounded by Oakland Dog Trainer Sara Scott; and Grateful for Goldens: The Right Dogs at the Right Times by Dan Perdios of Rescued by Goldens. 

And don’t forget to tuck into our Thanksgiving banquet of regular columns: Shelter Zone with Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter, Ask Dr. Dog with Dr. Ken Gorczyca, The Monthly Woof with Trish King, Commission Tails with Chairperson Michael Angelo Torres, and Good Dog! with training guru Ren Volpe of Go Dog Pro. As always, you’ll find Nose for News dishing up the juiciest dog headlines, while Mr. Smarty Pants and Red and Howling bring the bite-size sweets. 

Finally, this month kicks off Bay Woof’s annual winter fundraiser. If you’ve been enjoying BW in your inbox over the years, we hope you’ll consider supporting our efforts with a paid monthly subscription. Maybe a gift subscription in any amount that works for you would make a good thank you present to those on your own gratitude list? Food for thought, anyway.

In these challenging times, may we all keep finding gratitude in our hearts for everyday wonders, whether they’re as small as a Chihuahua or as big as a St. Bernard. 

Here at Bay Woof, we’re grateful for you and your dogs!

M Rocket
Publisher