Happy Thanksgiving, friends! As we gather around the table next week to count our blessings, we often look down at the furry faces waiting patiently (or not-so-patiently!) for a dropped crumb and wonder: Do our pets feel thankful?
A Pet Sitter’s Take on Animal Gratitude
Here at Animal Admiration Pet Care, we spend our days caring for your companions, and if you ask any member of our team, the answer is a resounding YES! While they might not be able to articulate “thank you” using human words, pets absolutely have ways of showing appreciation and deep contentment for the love and care we give them. It’s the silent, joyful language of animal admiration! (See what I did there?)
Do Our Pets Feel Thankful?
Gratitude in humans is often linked to complex emotions, but in pets, it manifests as attachment, relief, and pure, unadulterated happiness. When you provide safety, routine, food, and affection, you become the most important creature in your pets’ world. They show their thanks through actions rooted in trust and comfort.
As professional pet sitters, we get a front-row seat to these moments of gratitude every single day. Here are a few ways we know your pets are truly thankful for you:
1. The Lean-In
The “lean” is the ultimate sign of reliance and trust. When your dog presses their entire body weight against your legs, or when your cat insists on sitting right on your chest, it’s not just a physical act. They are signaling: “I feel safe, I love you, and I completely trust you to support me.” It’s an acknowledgment that you are in their inner circle.
2. The Slow Blink
The slow blink is the cat’s version of a kiss! If you are making eye contact with a kitty and they slowly close and open their eyes, they are feeling completely calm and secure in your presence. They’re effectively saying, “I like you, and I feel safe enough with you to be vulnerable.”
3. The Happy Dance (aka The Zoomies)
When a dog suddenly bursts into a frenzied run after a bath, a fresh walk, or when you come home after a long day, it’s an explosion of pure joy and relief. It’s an expression of “Thank goodness you’re here!”, “Thank goodness I’m clean and comfortable!”, or “Thank goodness that bath is over!” These happy outbursts are their way of celebrating the good things you provide.
4. The Gift of the Toy
Does your dog bring you their absolute favorite, slobbery toy? They aren’t just looking for a game (though that’s usually part of it!). In their social structure, presenting something valuable is a sign of respect and affection. They’re sharing their treasure with you.
Gratitude is Universal
Ultimately, the answer to the question “Do Our Pets Feel Thankful?” is yes, they most certainly do!
The best indicator of a pet’s gratitude is the way they greet you, the way they settle down beside you, and the peaceful ease with which they live in your home. They are grateful for their full belly, their warm bed, and the security you offer, and they show it with their whole hearts. And, if your pet had a troubling or difficult life before he or she found their way to you, their gratitude is even greater because they know the alternative to life with you!
A Thank You from Our Hearts at Animal Admiration Pet Care
This Thanksgiving, we want to pause and extend our deepest gratitude to you, our incredible clients and supporters. Thank you for entrusting the Animal Admiration Pet Care team with your most precious family members. We don’t take the responsibility of caring for your grateful, loving pets lightly.
From our home to yours, we wish you a safe, joyful, and gratitude-filled holiday!
The Best In-Home Pet Care in Katy, Fulshear, Cypress & West Houston
Animal Admiration Pet Care offers customizable dog walking, dog sitting, cat sitting, home, plant, and chicken care in Katy, Fulshear, Richmond, Energy Corridor, Memorial, West Houston, and Cypress. We care for all pet species, breeds, and ages, to ensure pets in Katy and neighboring communities receive the best care.
To join the Animal Admiration family, please contact us at info@animaladmiration.com or (281) 391-1015 to learn about our in-home pet care services. Existing clients, schedule your pet care visits here.
If you are outside our above-listed areas, please visit Pet Sitters International or the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters to find a professional pet care provider near you.
Brooke Rozell began her professional pet sitting career in 2003. In 2011, she established Animal Admiration to bring trusted, professional pet care to the Katy, Cypress, Fulshear, and West Houston areas while elevating the pet sitting industry as a whole. Brooke is an active member of Pet Sitters International, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, the Texas Pet Sitters Association, and the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce. Learn more about Brooke.
