Thanksgiving 2011: What Pet Are YOU Grateful for this Thanksgiving?

EVT asked our readers what pets they were grateful for this Thanksgiving, and why.

Not only photos but heartwarming reasons were sent to us from these readers. Start your Thanksgiving by celebrating what you're grateful for, and read these happy tails (we mean, tales!).

Friends Jessica Inskeep, Dr. Donna Cook, and Barbara Pinker shared their photos of their beloved furry family members, and why they were so grateful for these special companions.

Jessica's Zeb

Why Jessica's Grateful: 

"I am so thankful to have my puggle Zeb. My husband had given him to me as a present to keep me company while he is away.

He is in the military and was going away a lot and I was lonely. Now we are counting down the days together for my husband's safe return home to us.

He is currently deployed overseas and I couldn't have asked for a better friend to keep me company. Zeb has been a huge help and the best dog a girl could ask for!"

                  Dr. Donna Cook's Penny

Why Dr. Cook's Grateful:

"This is a picture of 'Penny' in her basket on the 4-wheeler.

She was abandoned at my clinic about 12 years ago during a difficult time in my life when my mother had suddenly passed away.

I have always felt like my mom sent her to me to help me through my grieving process. That's why I named her 'Penny'—she is my little 'Penny from Heaven.' She is a 'once in a lifetime' dog that is very gentle, kind, loving, obedient, and a loyal companion. I am thankful for her every day."

Barbara's Rosie

(below) Rosie recovers from back surgery performed by Dr. Ronald Scheuler in Westminster, Maryland.

Why Barbara's Grateful:

"Rosie is the light of our lives. She is recovering beautifully and will have her 8 week checkup tomorrow. We are so thankful for her recovery and for the skill of Dr. Scheuler."

A little more on Rosie:

"Rosie has had quite a remarkable life. We got Rosie when she was 8 weeks old and at 10 weeks, we move on to a 41 foot sailboat and began a wonderful adventure.

In three days she learned to use a box with puppy papers in it to do her business and when she was old enough she easily transferred to a mat on the aft end of the boat. She reluctantly learned to swim. We traveled up and down the Inter-coastal Waterway, did coastal sailing and traveled to the Bahamas. We took her everywhere with us. She learned to be very quiet in her crate when we went to the library or in restaurants. She took everything in stride, thunder storms, rough seas, heat and rain. She was a real trooper. She made friends everywhere we went and we often heard, 'I'm sorry, I don't remember your name but I remember Rosie!' when meeting acquaintances along the way.

We have owned 5 Dachshunds over the years but Rosie is so special. I guess because we were with her 24/7 for most of her life. She is the first one that ever had back trouble. She had her 8 week check up today and the doctor says she is doing fine."

EVT thanks the wonderful and amazing Zeb, Penny, and Rosie for agreeing to be featured in our special holiday column on what pets we're grateful for this Thanksgiving!

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Want to read further about more animals we're grateful for? Clinician's Brief offers September 11, 2011 stories of "4-Legged Heroes" (click here) and "Honoring Heroism with Wellness in 9/11 Search & Rescue Dogs" (please click here).