To Be Thankful for trees and dogs

Yesterday I was happy because I have not yet seen any discarded Christmas trees by the side of the road. I don't know if more people have artificial trees, or they put their live trees up later, but it seems as if people are enjoying their Christmas trees longer. I find it so depressing, when Christmas is over, to see dead Christmas trees at the ends of driveways, in parking lots and at the side of the road -- reminding us more than we feel it already that Christmas is over. It's even worse when that happens late on Christmas day or even on the 26th or 27th of December. I guess I need for my holiday to last a little longer (at least through Epiphany, please!). So I am thankful for Christmas trees, still inside homes.

Yesterday I was also happy because we caught a dog! I am thankful to everyone who was driving, who avoided hitting a runaway cocker spaniel as she crossed and re-crossed a busy road. I am especially thankful to the couple in a minivan (with Sam the German shepherd dog) who stopped to help, and the nice man in a white commercial van who finally helped us corral the dog at a golf course. We are dog-sitting for a friend who is away for the holidays, and this cocker is a formerly abused, now rescued dog, and is afraid of everyone. We also knew she didn't know her way around the area, so we were doubly worried. I am thankful to all who drove carefully and were patient with our road antics, those who reported her appearances and reappearances to the police, and especially those who stopped and actually helped end the chase! So I am thankful for the ebullience of dogs who love to run and for the people who are willing to be involved when it is time for them to stop running! Phew! Now my big moral decision is what (if anything!) to tell the dog's owner upon returning from a vacation away.

Things are stressful at home, but we manage one crisis at a time. Prayers for peace and harmony are appreciated.