Our pets are important family members that hold a special place in our hearts. Their unconditional support is incomparable and unique. Their personalities keep us entertained. Their needs keep us on our toes. Their warmth and loyalty is comforting. They make us laugh throughout the day and cheer us up when we’re sad. They imprint their love and devotion on our souls forever, and we never feel alone when they are close by. 

No matter how much I praise our furry family members, I feel like I shortchange them. Thanking these glorious creatures seems so hopelessly inadequate compared to what they give us in return. But it’s a start. On this Thanksgiving Day I’m thankful for many things, but most of all I’m thankful for our pets.

We lost our precious little Jasmine three years ago, and our precious little Rosie four months ago. Words can not express how much we love and miss them. They enriched our lives, and they were an integral part of YLF.

Our little blog star Jasmine loved taking part in photo shoots. In the photo below she spontaneously jumped onto the chair behind me and posed perfectly for the camera. I didn’t even know she was there until Greg showed me the photo. Our little soldier Rosie kept us company whenever we worked in our home office. In this photo she jumped on my lap when the Seattle Times came to interview us at home. Rosie is looking at YLF on Greg’s monitor. I’m not sure what she’s thinking, but as always she was thoroughly engaged in the activity. We did not call our girls the CEOs of YLF for nothing. 

We wish you a happy and peaceful Thanksgiving Weekend filled with much love and adoration for your pets. Hold them a little closer, and thank them for being the incredible creatures that they are.