All of this talk of pet turkeys, makes me also think more about our pet rooster, Sir Stinkey. He was brought to the hospital to be euthanized for aggression. I of course didn’t want to do that, so he lived for a time in the hospital. He was always a challenge to handle, because the only person he really liked was my daughter, but they had a very close, special bond. She could pick him up and carry him around. He sat on her lap in the car and shared sandwiches together. She brought him on live television, and to downtown Evergreen to the local coffee shops. As long as he was with her, he was happy and relaxed.

The thing about that rooster was the profound effect he would have on other people. Now I have had many animals over the years, from reptiles to rats and almost everything in between, but nothing would so obviously, deeply, consistently affect people like seeing my daughter walk around carrying this rooster. It was quite remarkable. It would so often make a light bulb go off in people’s heads. A light bulb that helped people make the connection that this rooster could actually be a friend, a pet, and not just an object, or food. It is hard for me to explain, and also hard for me to even understand why. I didn’t love having an aggressive rooster in my house. But I did love the way he changed people’s perspectives on chickens, everywhere he went. I was surprised and amazed to see the impact he had on people’s lives.

Which is why when he passed away, I wanted to get another one. Not because I loved having him so much (although my daughter did and she still cries over him), but I loved the light that I would see go on, in so many people’s eyes, when they would marvel at the fact a rooster could sit in a teenage girl's lap and share her sandwich. Since then we have gone to the shelter and looked at roosters. But we ended up coming home with a little quail bird instead. And she is a story for another time. I am grateful for Sir Stinky, my peachy quail, my daughters bond with birds, that I got to appreciate the profound impact an animal can have on people, and that I can spend the day with my girls.

Well it’s the weekend after a holiday, and time to get our heads back in the game after focusing on family and gratitude, and now time to make the final push for gifts and plans for Christmas. I sure hope you will plan to come to our Pet Pictures with Santa event! At the hospital, we are going to hae the CSU Sci on the Fly van with all kinds of cool STEM and VR exhibits and interactive activities for kids, for FREE! Along with gift bags, hot cocoa, it sure will be a fun time for sure. And we are doing it early this year, to make sure you have your photos in time for your holiday card. The sign up is here https://www.resqranch.org/pet-pics-with-santa-signup

Yes you do have to copy and paste this into a new browser, but it will be worth it to make sure you get a spot.

And for us as a non-profit this is also the time when we get matching gifts, so if you plan on giving this holiday season to an animal non-profit, won’t you please consider donating to us through our link here https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/Resqranch

​The holidays are a time when many of us can start to get a little depressed for an entire myriad of reasons. So this morning, start the day by taking a deep breath, and just holding it for a moment and remind yourself you are strong, you are capable, and you are worthy just as you are. Treat yourself with compassion, and be proud of who you are becoming. You are enough, just as you are. And today is a whole new day, to take even the smallest steps, to get just a little better, in every way. Whether that means doing three good, deep squats and some side bends, or if that means sitting quietly for a moment and reflecting on your life and what you wish for, or both of those and doing something kind for someone else without expecting anything in return, all of these small acts will pay off and protect you from falling into any kind of holiday despair. And of course, animals, hug your animals and be grateful you have them in your life. And if there is anything I can do for you, to make that journey with animals easier for you, please just ask, I am here for you, you Animal Loving Angel. Have the best Saturday ever!

​Check out my YouTube channel for a daily "Good Morning!" from the rescues and lots of free tips and training resources. https://www.youtube.com/@the1drq