Deeply thankful

Please forgive me for posting so late this week! With Thanksgiving and family stuff and being utterly swamped at work this is the first deep breath I've taken in days, so please accept my humble offering of sweet animal-related content to make up for it.

This year, among so many other things, I am thankful for my psycho, adorable, affectionate, murder-beast of a best friend (even though she covers every single article of clothing I own in ridiculously long orange fur). I get that I'm rapidly becoming a crazy cat lady, but I'm owning it. Living alone is literally the best thing in my life right now and it just wouldn't be quite as wonderful without my cat, Eevee.

In honor of all our furry (or not-so-furry) constant companions - a letter detailing the complex ways in which we love them and the richness of life as a pet owner.

If you don't currently have a beloved animal in your life, consider adopting from your local shelter! There are so many creatures in need of loving homes. If you can't own a pet due to your schedule or your lease or allergies or any of other the other many (totally valid and responsible) reasons for not taking care of an animal at home, but still want to help, please look for opportunities to volunteer with animals in your area. I can't explain how much more fulfilled my life feels volunteering with the cats and dogs at the shelter, and every little bit counts. Adopt, don't shop!

(Bonus link for cat-lovers :D )

I am also thankful for every single one of you who reads this. Your feedback and support mean the world to me and I can't imagine this endeavor would ever have been so fulfilling without each and every one of you. I had no idea where this experiment would lead, but I'm so thankful to have found an outlet for my creativity that I can share with all of you: my friends, my family, and even those of you I've never met. With all of your support and encouragement I know I can make it through the end of the year still giving it my all, so thank you!