What do our pets teach us about gratitude ?
A lot!
“Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind” ~Lionel Hampton
Many a time, I feel the 90’s Bryan Adam’s song ,was written for our pets. Remember those lines…
“Look into my eyes
You will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart
Search your soul
And when you find me there
You’ll search no more
Don’t tell me it’s not worth tryin’ for
You can’t tell me it’s not worth dyin’ for
You know it’s true
Everything I do
I do it for you…..”

So, what DO our pets teach us about gratitude?
Our pets teach us, that….
- Each morning is a start of new beautiful day. How do I know that? If you have ever been woken up with puppy kisses, elaborate licks, paws on your chest and a very wet nose, you already know what I am talking about.You know your day is going to be good from that point forward.
- It is important to let people know you are grateful for them. Be it just a few minutes walk to my mailbox or coming back home after a long day at work, I am greeted with a wave of gratitude. Our pet’s tail & body moves in a wave of delight. She goes around me in circles communicating that she is so happy to see me.No one is more delighted than her, that I am home.Her gratitude fills me up to the brim each day .
- Food is to be celebrated. They never make a face even when they are served the same kibble day in & day out.Their joy is contagious. Our’s commences in a little dance around us & her bowl each time.
- Touch is an important part of a relationship. They snuggle closer to us wherever we are.Our’s at home, loves to be hugged, belly rubbed & kissed as many times in the day as possible.
- Finding friends & making new ones builds character & community.Be it chasing a squirrel on our walks or meeting other wagging tails in the dog park, she completely unleashes her joy ( at times, literally so!) More play translates to more happy, which means a good night’s sleep .Look how it all adds up?
So if you want to know all about gratitude, just look into your pet’s eyes.Research says that, that staring into your dog’s eyes can raise levels of the love hormone, oxytocin, in both the owner and pet. So go on, lock your eyes, will ya?
Now tell me, WHO rescued whom?
Links to my other posts on gratitude
- The attitude of gratitude
- What are you grateful for this month?
- What do our pets teach us about gratitude?
- Choose to be grateful
- Give thanks!
- How to be thankful, when life hurts?
- A Thanksgiving meal with an Indian inspired menu
- Turkey cupcakes for Thanksgiving
- How to make Pumpkin rolls/Buns?
- Be Thankful for the strength
- How to show gratitude
- Happy Thanksgiving!