A Fresh Year, Seen Through Faithful Eyes

There’s something freeing in that way of living. Pets remind us that a new year doesn’t require us to reinvent ourselves or set elaborate, hard-to-achieve goals. Sometimes the most meaningful resolutions are the simplest ones. Get up and go outside more. Take a few extra walks. Pause long enough to notice the sunshine or the quiet. Give love freely, without expectation. Celebrate the small wins, even if it’s just a brand-new stuffed animal proudly paraded through the house.

They also remind us that fulfillment isn’t always found in doing more or acquiring more, but in being more present. I know my dogs are happiest not when I’m busy accomplishing something, but when I stop, sit down, and give them my undivided attention, even if only for a few minutes.

As the days turn into weeks and the weeks into months, our pets serve as a comforting anchor in our all-too-busy lives. They teach consistency by example. They wake up at the same time each morning. They love us the same way every day, no matter what the day before held. They nudge us out of bed at night and promptly commandeer the best spot on the couch before we have a chance to sit down. And, of course, they make a beeline for the treat cabinet after every single trip outside, just in case.

Perhaps most importantly, pets awaken in us a deep sense of appreciation and gratitude. If I had a dollar for every time the phrase “we don’t deserve dogs” crossed my mind, I would be a very rich woman. Whether I’ve been gone for an hour or an entire day, my welcome home is always the same, joyful, enthusiastic, and unconditional. To them, we are the center of their world.

It makes you wonder what this world might look like if we made others feel that way, too. If we showed up with the same loyalty, patience, and affection. If we appreciated companionship instead of taking it for granted and offered love without keeping score. Our pets ask for so little yet give us so very much in return.

So, as we step into a new year filled with unknowns, let’s hold on a little tighter to our best friends, the ones who will be exactly where they’ve always been. Waiting by the window. Curled up at the foot of the bed. Ready to remind us that love, loyalty, and joy don’t require platitudes or resolutions. They simply require us to show up. “Our pets may leave paw prints on the floor, but they leave imprints on our hearts.” Unknown

Rhonda S. Kelley, Executive Director

Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce