By Stacie Greene, Supply Chain Specialist at PetSafe
Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday of the entire year. Most people would choose Christmas or maybe Halloween, but I love Thanksgiving. I love that no presents are necessary, but you get together with people you love to share a wonderful meal. I even love that it takes many hours and sometimes days to prepare all of the wonderful food that is consumed in 15 minutes or less. Thanksgiving is truly a wonderfully unique American holiday and, through the years, I have established many traditions of my own.
For years, my best friend Tyler and I would get up for breakfast and coffee in plenty of time to watch the national dog show that comes on after the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. I would tell him every year that he was a shoe-in to take the grand prize! I know that might sound silly, but it was so much fun for us. After all, he was ALWAYS “Best in Show” in my life. After the dog show, we would get dressed and head to my parents’ house for a traditional Thanksgiving feast. Tyler always got turkey, thanks to his grandpa sneaking him hunks of it under the table. Those years with Tyler gave me some of my happiest Thanksgiving memories.
Last year, after a wonderful 16 years, I lost Tyler. His loss led to the worst Thanksgiving I can remember. Nothing felt right. The food was good and the dog show was fine, but I really just didn’t care about any of it. I went through the motions and that was pretty much it. I had a huge hole in my heart, and no one with whom I could share my favorite traditions. Even though I had people around and managed to keep myself pretty busy, this was the first Thanksgiving I ever felt alone.
No matter if you are single or married, if you have dog by your side you are never alone. This year I am thankful for several things, but more than anything I am thankful for Cooper, my Lhasas Apso puppy. I am also very thankful for my friend, Jim Tedford, who helped bring Cooper into my life. Cooper has not only filled the huge hole in my heart, but he has enriched my life in ways I had not imagined. He makes me laugh uncontrollably.
When we run around and play in the yard, I feel like a 10-year-old kid again. And, I don’t care that my neighbors think I am crazy! I will get to share all of my favorite traditions – and make a few new ones – with Cooper this year. Just a few short days before Thanksgiving, my best friend and the thing I am MOST thankful for in all the world will turn 1-year-old. Incorporating Cooper’s birthday festivities into my favorite holiday will call for a week-long celebration.
I am also so thankful I get to bring him to work every day. He loves coming and seems to bring a smile to everyone’s face. He is one of the most polite puppies that I have ever had the privilege of knowing.
I loved Tyler more than anything, and I know he loved me unconditionally. But, when it came to strangers he had a strict “hands to yourself” policy. Cooper is very different. He loves everyone he meets and everyone he meets seems to love him too.
When someone in the office is having an off day, they stop by to get what we call a “Cooper fix.” I am very proud of him for being so loving. So, this year for Thanksgiving I am most thankful for Cooper. He has brought more joy to my life than I ever thought was possible.
If you have the time and want a loyal friend who will never share your secrets, make you laugh, and always be there for you, I suggest that you adopt a furry best friend. You won’t just be thankful in November, but you will give thanks year-round!
ABOUT STACIE Stacie Greene is a Supply Chain Specialist for PetSafe, head quartered in Knoxville, TN. She works to manage part of a global supply chain to deliver the best possible products for our customers. She has a BS in Operations Management, and 14 years experience in procurement, supply chain management and strategic sourcing. Her Lhasa apso, Cooper, logs the same hours at the office as Stacie. She volunteers with the Most Pet Friendly Community initiative that has a mission of making Knoxville, Tennessee the most pet friendly community in America.
