Pets Are People Too

While reading through all the annual letters we receive from long-time friends around the country and around the world, we were struck by how many include mention of pets as if they are truly members of the family.

Our love and sympathy goes out to Tom and Shelly in Carlsbad, Calif., who lost their beloved lab Pancho to cancer this past summer at the age of 12 1/2. They are blessed to still have their 4-year-old lab Annie, but she really misses Pancho so it sounds like she may be getting a new canine companion soon.

Just last month Norm and Bunny also said goodbye to Fweedie, their faithful feline companion of more than 17 years. Their Midgie is now an only cat, and she seems to be enjoying the extra attention as she also adjusts to life in the new condo in Sun Prairie, Wis.

We lost our little buddy Maynard the cat this year too, so we know exactly how they feel. But we also know that we all share a special kind of love that only pet owners will ever experience, and many wonderful memories of our four-legged friends.

To all of our favorite people and their pets, we wish a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year!