We had about fourteen friends over for Thanksgiving dinner last night. We demolished a 14 pound turkey, one cheesecake, three pies and more bottles of wine than I can mention. Add in the dressing, taters, green chile corn casserole and spinach and you can imagine no one went hungry.
Darcie did an admirable job of keeping the floor clean. She didn't get into the cheesecake this year but she made out like a bandit with all the spills that happened in the kitchen.
True to form, we had at least one incident that I warned against on my Wednesday post.
We had a 19 month old youngster named Max come over for a visit with his parents Makeala and Drew. As predicted, he made a bee line for the sleeping 18 year old Darcie. The result was predictable too. A growl and a snap, a worried mother and a somewhat embarrassed host. No damage done, but if I'd followed my own advice I would have taken the parents aside and given them a warning.
We were thankful for many things at our house last night. We all have our health, jobs or the potential for jobs, friendship, nice homes to live in and a wonderful little mountain town to call home. We are also mindful that not everyone in America is in such a fortunate situation.
Unfortunately, the financial crisis is affecting pet owners, veterinarians and animal shelters around the country. A practice management consultant I know told me that his veterinary clients around the country are encountering lots of pet owners who just can't afford to pay for veterinary care.
An
article sent to me by another friend details an alarming increase in dogs and cats being taken to animal shelters because their owners have been forced out of their homes due to mortgage foreclosures. Police are even reporting that they are finding abandoned animals left in back yards or locked inside abandoned homes.
For us at S&S ,and our readers, that is almost an unthinkable thought. We would find some way to accommodate our pets if the worst happened. I'm pretty sure I could find a place for Darcie among my friends or family if I was forced out of my home into a place that did not allow pets.
There are opportunities for owners that are financially strapped. Many of the larger shelters in most
metro areas offer low cost vaccinations, exams, spays and neuters and even routine veterinary care to those with limited incomes.
We should all plan for the worst and hope for the best. What would we do if we lost our jobs or even our homes. Do we have enough money set aside for hard times? Do we have a high deductible health insurance
policy for our pets that could be a big help in a crisis?
Most of us won't have to worry about these problems but I feel real concern for those that do. Let's hope that next year will be the year we turn the corner on this mess and get our country back on the right track. I'm hopeful we can get a lot done in the next year.
Right now I guess I'll go downtown and do a little Christmas shopping. I'll do my best to spend a little of my cash to help turn things around. Darcie can sure use a new leash.
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