| The holidays are a wonderful time of year, | | | | enjoy them? You -- or the |
| full of excitement , expectation, and | | | | "holiday-challenged" people in your life-- |
| celebration.But for many it's also a | | | | could fill up a basket (or two, or three!) |
| difficult time. This is especially true for | | | | with healthy pet treats, amusing toys, or |
| anyone not blessed with a close, supportive | | | | comfy blankets. You might want to check first |
| family, or those physically separated from | | | | to see if the shelter in your area allows |
| loved ones.Consider, among these unlucky | | | | this, or if they have a need for particular |
| souls, the four legged ones who have to spend | | | | items.If cat or dog gift baskets aren't an |
| their holidays--all of their days, in | | | | option, offer to take a canine resident for a |
| fact--at the local ASPCA or animal shelter. | | | | walk. I recently learned about a retired |
| These poor creatures have little to look | | | | couple who does this on a regular basis. They |
| forward to besides hoping that some nice | | | | spend their entire day at the local shelter, |
| family will adopt them some day.Pets need new | | | | making sure that every single dog has been |
| games, new toys, new smells and experiences, | | | | walked. The couple does this twice a week, |
| and above all, exercise to be happy. Dogs and | | | | all year round. The dogs love it, and it's |
| cats in shelters can get depressed, lose | | | | wonderful exercise for all concerned.I know |
| their appetites, and become more susceptible | | | | what you're thinking. But you don't have to |
| to illness.I was pondering this recently, | | | | do anything as time-consuming as all that. |
| when a light bulb turned on in my head | | | | Just show up once or twice. A walk and some |
| (figuratively, not literally). "Why not get | | | | fresh air is a great way to alleviate |
| all these lonely and stressed-out souls | | | | holiday stress and you're sure to catch some |
| together?", I thought.Now, I'm not implying | | | | of the light-hearted spirit that radiates |
| that everyone who's feeling a little | | | | from a happy dog. Tell a friend about it. |
| despondent or stressed during the holidays | | | | Maybe they'll give it a try. Some might be |
| should run out and adopt a pet. Bringing home | | | | inspired enough to become "hometown heros", |
| a new dog or cat is a serious commitment and | | | | like the couple mentioned above.You might |
| should be done for the right reasons, and | | | | know an older retiree who considers dog |
| with plenty of forethought. But there are | | | | ownership too much of a burden, but wouldn't |
| other ways to bring the gift of good cheer.A | | | | mind taking a dog for a walk. If it's a |
| lifting of the spirits is not only a | | | | friend or family member who walks but no |
| rewarding gift to give, but is good medicine | | | | longer drives, perhaps you could volunteer |
| for animals and people alike. A happier | | | | to drop them off and pick them up.Giving |
| animal is a healthier animal, and probably a | | | | freely of ourselves is one of best gifts we |
| more adoptable one. And a happier human is | | | | can give. But if all of this seems too time |
| not only healthier, but more apt to enjoy the | | | | consuming, then a small financial donation |
| season of giving.What could be more uplifting | | | | would still go a long way. Lots of shelters |
| for both dog and human than bringing some | | | | have fund raisers this time of year, and odds |
| inexpensive "kitty or doggie gift baskets" to | | | | are you won't have to look far to find one. |
| a local shelter, and watching the residents | | | | In the end, caring is what really matters. |