I hope you’re lucky enough to have a beloved pet or two to spend the day with because I don’t know what else we’re going to do without the usual family traditions. The weather looks iffy at best.

There are no parades to watch although Macy’s is going to do some type of virtual television show. You can watch the dastardly Cowboys playing that Washington Football Team that can’t even decide on a good name yet. Too bad there’s not a way for them both to lose; our Eagles need all the help they can get this year! I’m sure there’s some Netflix or Prime series you could binge on, but no matter what it is you’re watching, it’s better with a warm, fuzzy friend curled up on the sofa with you.

Speaking of the holidays, we have some pets here in the shelter that have been waiting for a long time to find a home and I can’t stand the thought of them not being adopted within the next few weeks. We also have some that haven’t been here for a long period of time, but they are of advanced age and will most probably be passed over again and again because they are not puppies or kittens.

Since March when COVID hit, adoptions have been hot and heavy, yet some of our animals continue to left behind. I can tell you from many years of experience that one of the hardest things I do all year is walk through the kennels and cat rooms on Christmas Eve and see all the animals that will spend the holidays and beyond, homeless, sad and alone.

You could spend part of the Thanksgiving weekend checking out the available pets on our website, that would give you something entertaining to do and maybe motivate you to bring one of them home before Christmas! While you’re checking them out, take a closer look at Blancho, Satine, Storm, Lady Madonna, Eleanor and Eve. They are all a little older and although they may not be shiny and new, they still have a lot of life to live and love to give.Thanksgiving morning will be special for the shelter animals as a number of our dedicated volunteers come in and serve them all a home cooked meal for breakfast. Staff and volunteers bring crockpots and roasting pans of chicken, sweet potatoes, green beans and other treats to celebrate the holiday. I hope your own animals are also able to enjoy a little extra treat; just make sure it’s nothing that will upset their bellies.

From those of us here at the shelter, we wish you and your four-leggers a safe, and although somewhat unusual, Happy Thanksgiving.

Shelter needs: Soft dog treats and bully sticks, Purina Kitten Chow, real cheese slices (not imitation), hot dogs, isopropyl alcohol, tissues, liquid hand soap, and gift cards for grocery and pet supply outlets

To submit an adoption form for one of the Pets of the Week or another animal at the shelter, visit https://ybu.af3.myftpupload.com