A Special Wish for 2025

by Casey Hampf
By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice Chair
Today, after feeding my 8 year-old, sweet Gracie and going for a short walk, I reminded her that 2024 has nearly come to an end. She looked up at me, tilted her head to the right, perked up her Boxador ears, and I know she was thinking, “You are not about to begin making resolutions for 2025 are you?”
“I told you last year that I am quite happy to: play more and stress less, take naps each afternoon, go for walks to enjoy nature, smile often, love unconditionally, and live life to the fullest, cherishing each and every moment. It works for me. I am healthy and happy which seems to make you healthy and happy, too.”
How could I disagree with Gracie’s wisdom? However, I was able to convince her to look at the resolutions of a few dogs, cats, and humans. These are some of our favorites.
From dogs:
Do not bark every time the doorbell rings, including when it rings on TV. Mom says she hears the doorbell and does not need me to chime in.
Chew only my toys, not mom and dad’s socks and shoes which I like because they smell good.
Stop digging in the yard, although I see mom doing so to put plants in the ground.
Do not drink from the toilet bowl, although it looks like a big dog dish to me.
Do not try to snuggle with the cat.
From cats:
Scratch my cat tree and scratch posts, not the furniture, although I do not quite understand the difference.
Do not leap from the dining room table to the top of the china cabinet, although springing from the floor to the top of my cat tree is acceptable.
Do not snuggle in the basket of clean towels, although the dirty clothes bin is ok.
Snuggle with my humans often, and be sure to purr.
Try to tolerate the dog’s snuggles.
From humans:
Spend more time with my furry friends. Play with them, pet them, snuggle with them.
Volunteer at our local animal shelter and take advantage of the many ways to support them and the animals they care for.
With this resolution, both Gracie and I paused in our fun, to make a wish instead of a resolution, “that all dogs and cats at shelters everywhere get adopted into loving homes, brightening lives of many families and making space in the shelter to take in more animals who need compassionate care.”
This is our wish in particular for the Ark-Valley Humane Society. Because of the loving care and compassion Gracie received from staff, volunteers and an amazing foster, Sally, she learned to trust humans again, became adoptable and now fills my heart with joy and love everyday.
That AVHS continues to thrive and grow thanks to the amazing staff, volunteers, fosters and supportive community is our wish for 2025. Happy New Year.
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