Nov. 16: I am grateful that I have learned to practice gratitude in the small, little things every day. I work in a profession that has been plagued with an epidemic of suicides. The emotional blackmail, relatively low pay, high degree of patient death (think short life spans) and many other stresses wear on all who practice or work in veterinary medicine. Because I have learned to embrace the small pleasures, I am able to ride out the emotional storms.

Nov. 17: I am grateful for nature and the great outdoors. Today’s hunt may have resulted in two chases and then a solid kill of a mouse that was hastily gulped down. But we also saw a beautiful sky, quiet woods, downy woodpeckers, mobbing crows, seven Coppers hawks, several sharp shins, a couple of mature red tails. Falconry rocks.

Nov. 18: I am grateful for coffee. This Monday morning after a very long shift at the ER and getting up very early for an outing on Sunday morning, I am grateful for the caffeine. I love the warmth, the aroma, the feeling of it warming all the way down. I like how it can be shared with friends or savored alone. Coffee is one of the few things that I splurge on. Not the stuff of Styrofoam cups or with indulgent stuff added, but light roasted and flavored beans, brewed for a clean, guilt-free pleasure.

Nov. 19: I am grateful to learn advanced techniques to help dogs with severe mouth infections. Recently, Rusty brought his Willow in for cleaning. When we got radiographs of her mouth, it was obvious that she had a fractured jaw. When he got to the specialist, the specialist said it was present or caused by the last cleaning at his prior vet. I am happy to learn, but I am also happy when specialists are available and used.

Nov. 20: I am grateful for the sunrise. Dawn brings a new day. Today’s dawn has me up early to watch a hunting hawk take down a squirrel. I am grateful for coffee again as dawn comes too early and parts of my early morning work before hunting are not fun.

Nov. 21: I am grateful for days that are busy and the thinking that I have to do is all about cases. Chemotherapy schedules and progression may require concentration, but it is heartwarming to see Rusty and Max doing well.

Nov. 22: I am grateful for doctors that will change schedules with me when I need to be dropping my child off at school.

Nov. 23: I am grateful for a sheet of call back results. I often think of my patients as I drift off to sleep. Wondering, worrying that everyone is okay. The call back sheet has answers that I can check before I head home. “Doing good.” “Doing okay.” “She’s back to herself.” “Doing great. Rash almost gone.” These are notes that mean I will sleep better. And if there is a problem, I will be notified so we can help.

Nov. 24: I am writing early, because I am already knowing that I am grateful for a morning to sleep in. After a leisurely morning, a young man that I helped will be helping me with some outdoor chores. He is younger and more able to rake leaves off the roof. Who knows we might even get up some lights for the holidays.

Nov. 25: I am grateful to be spending time with another red-tailed hawk. Jim seems that he is quite jealous, but Gypsy is coming straight to the glove every time. Gypsy’s dad may be on vacation, but Gypsy and I are having fun also.

From 7 years ago, I borrowed this one:

Nov. 26: I am grateful that I have the skills and knowledge to save lives. It may not be human lives on a daily basis, but they are family members none the less. Of course, I don’t do it alone and I cannot save them all, but I do help.

Nov. 27: I am grateful for a young adult child that cares about us enough to come home. We had a good chat and drive home. I am also grateful that she was willing to drive for half of the very long trip home. She has grown up a lot since we dropped her off in August. Still I am grateful that I got her a ride to go back to Wooster.

Nov. 28: Today, Thanksgiving, I am grateful to have a great staff and the opportunity to sleep in. My staff realizes that animals always need to be cared for and split up the holidays without complaint. Today my senior employee was in super early to get kennels done before the human festivities. I will still head in to take care of a special animal and check on medical patients, but in between texts and Taz, I have still slept in. Okay, not so much sleeping in with Taz at home. Thanks guys!

Nov. 29: I am grateful for my Coast Guard friends. My ops boss from the Durable saw my name and photo and reached out. We chatted about shipmates and life. We will keep more in touch now.

Nov. 30: I am grateful for a month of reminders to be grateful for the little, daily things in life. The little things grow into the bigger thing called life.

MJ Wixsom, DVM MS is a best-selling Amazon author who practices at Guardian Animal Medical Center in Flatwoods, Ky. GuardianAnimal.com 606-928-6566