It’s hard to believe that another Thanksgiving holiday has arrived. As you get older, time really does fly. Wait a minute, I suddenly sound like my parents! I hate to admit it, but they were right. We spend the entire year working and rushing around trying to keep up with life.

For me, Thanksgiving marks the official sprint to the year’s finish line. I’m always trying to get all the tasks done that I put off. However, I try to make Thanksgiving Day a time to rest and relax with my immediate family — my wife, Kim; our two dogs; and the array of other critters in and around the house. This is the one day I like to be lazy and lounge around in my sweats all day. This works extremely well for my pups as well.

This year I intend to sleep in a little, if my toy Schnauzer, Dusty, will allow it. She’s my 7:30 a.m. wake up call, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. I plan to stay up late the night before catching up on some movies. Since Dusty will be up with me, I hope she will allow a little extra sleep time on Thanksgiving. If this master plan doesn’t work, I’ll get up as usual, take care of the pups and the other animals, and turn on the television to watch some of the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade. I really don’t sit down to watch much of the parade. Instead, I usually listen to it while I prepare everything for our big meal. It will be nice this year, since it is just the four of us. It’ll also be nice to have my furry supervisors in the kitchen to monitor my every move and to clean up whatever may accidentally make its way to the floor.

This is the first year that my Schnauzer boy, Kramer, has been with us since we adopted him in June. He’s always great in the kitchen and is fascinated by all the sounds I make chopping vegetables, prepping the meat and whipping the mashed potatoes. I like to go all out even though it’s just the four of us.

Last Thanksgiving, Dusty was only five months old and she loved the large crowd of family members who had gathered at our house for the week. However, since she was so small, we had to relegate her to the main family room so she wouldn’t get stepped on. This year, she will have free reign of the house and will love all the activity. I know she will be front and center when the turkey is ready. Of course, she will only receive a very small amount since we don’t want to overdo it. She will also love to partake in a few of the uncooked baby carrots, so at least she won’t have any problem keeping healthy.

As for Kramer, he could care less about most of the veggies. He just wants the meat! However, with his ultra-sensitive stomach, he will likely only receive an even smaller sampling of turkey.

What my pups will enjoy most of all is the dedicated time we will have together. We plan to make a long weekend of it. Being able to go for a few extra visits to the park, a few more rides in the car, and many more naps will make the pups the happiest of all.

Though Dusty will miss socializing with a large crowd, Kramer will not. He likes it when it is just us, playing in the park and backyard, and then relaxing for the remainder of the day.

I really enjoy Thanksgiving Day and all the festivities that go along with it. Eating way too much food, taking long naps, looking at all the sales ads in the newspaper and watching, or napping, while the football games are on makes for a pretty great day. But, spending dedicated time with my wife and pups makes it the best day of all. Who could want more? Now, pass the pumpkin pie!

Does your dog like the Thanksgiving hoilday? How do you celebrate with your dog? Share your stories and pictures on Dogster.

About Tim Link: All-American guy who loves to rock out to Queen while consuming pizza and Pinot Noir and prefers to associate with open-minded people who love all critters. Considers himself to be the literal voice for all animals. Author, writer, radio host, Reiki Master, Animal Communicator and consultant at Wagging Tales.

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