From Sylvester: “It was when I was most lost that I found hope and happiness. Sometimes those darkest times bring us to the greatest places. I am cherished and loved and told each day how important I am. What an amazing thing to be grateful for. My heart is filled with joy every time I am told that I am special.I know I help people get through tough times when they are doubting themselves. I take my role very seriously. But I also like to play and create laughter. It is actually much more fun to be a light of hope in someone’s day. I love doing that. Yes, that is what I’m most grateful for – the chance I have to make someone else feel special.”
Below is a video of Sylvester with Dawn reading his message:
From Felix: “Every hour of every day you have a choice to be happy or miserable. I know this because I have made both choices at one time or another. Like when it is pouring rain and miserable outside, and I don’t want to get wet, but I want to go eat some grass, I remind myself how it feels on sunny days. I have a choice to be miserable about the rain, or to know that the rain will end at some point, and once again I can go stand in the sun. These are decisions that seem small but in reality they are quite large and can affect everyone around you. My friend Leo doesn’t like it when I’m miserable. And if I get in a slump, he is there to remind me to think of better things. Leo and I have seen a lot of hard times together. And now our days are filled with so much love and care and happiness. It’s not to say that there won’t be rainy days. But l am always grateful for the sun. And I am forever grateful for my animal and human companions. They always bring the sun out even on a rainy day.”
From Tommy: “I feel like I haven’t seen all that much of life quite yet. I’m a young kid who had a big responsibility to help my brother Timmy. Timmy was born different than me. A lot of the time, he makes no sense. He does strange things. I don’t really understand him. But I was needed to help him and I did the best I could. I’m a little at odds right now. I just lost my new goat friend Princess after she got really sick. Everyone tried to help her. She was very grateful for everything. I learned a lot from her. She helped me to understand that it was ok to just be who I am. And it is also ok for Timmy to be like he is. She used to say to me, ‘See, we’re not as different as it seems. We are all goats just trying to live our best goat lives.’ Princess was very smart like that. I miss her. I may not really be able to help Timmy. But he is my brother and a fellow goat. And I understand things a lot better now. I am grateful for Princess’ wisdom.”
From Mia: “I am grateful for being loved. It feels very good to know I am home and never have to worry about being abandoned again. I have left those days behind me. I walk freely now into seeing beauty all around me. I love the colors of the trees. I love a blue sky. I cherish standing outside in the sun. But I also like the comfort of my stall. I love having my other horse friends in the barn. We are a family. We all share a gratitude for being together. Each of us is different and we respect each other’s differences. That is what makes it all so good. I’ve learned a lot from listening to the donkeys and ducks and chickens. And of course our own very wise goose too! There is so much around us to inspire our hearts. We simply need to share with one another to appreciate each being with gratitude. I will never lose sight of that again.”
From Eloise: “There was a time in my life where I was discarded and forgotten about. It left me feeling very hopeless. But I have a whole new life now. I had 6 babies just after I arrived here on this farm. It meant a lot to me to see and understand that they did not have to endure the life that I did. They have never known a day of hardship or hopelessness. Now, truth is, that if you asked them that however they would think that when their dinner is a little late that they are suffering a hardship. But I know better. One should never lose sight of the things that bring you hope and comfort. These can be little things. A favorite food. Looking at a flower. Laying in the mud on a hot summer day. We all have a life filled with opportunities to be grateful. I’m sure taking note of all of mine.”
From Piper: “I love to answer this question every year. I so look forward to this! You see, people are always astonished when they meet me. I was born without eyes and have never once seen the world the way most of you do. Yet, my world is not dark at all. I am able to sense so many things. I just see them in a way that is unique to me. But I can explore the world in all its wonder and feel that I have everything I possibly could need. I am grateful to feel the sun. I love to hear the rain on summer nights. Nothing is impossible for me to do. I climb to the highest tops of cat trees and run around the room at great speed. I catch toys. I chase balls. Nothing ever stops me from being me. Sometimes those of you with your eyesight seem to fail to see the most important things in your life. I, on the other hand, get to just be one with it all. I am the luckiest cat alive.”
From Mary Beth: “Every second of every day is a moment to be grateful. There is not one breath that I have taken that I have regretted. People tend to feel sorry for me and I really don’t like that. This is me! I am very alive and very happy. And you know what I love best? I love sharing moments with humans. I love when people drop their perception of me and just start petting me and listen to me breathe along with them. They forget that I am not “normal” and get to know who I really am. I love that! I will cherish this life every step of the way. I can never get enough of it. My journey to get here was a long one but it was worth making the trip to come here to this farm. I have found more joy in this lifetime so far than I could imagine. I am blessed. I am grateful. And I am proud to be me.”
From Buster: “I have so much in my life to be grateful for. I have experienced some rough things from people in my past. In fact, I lost my eye because of that and have a lot of problems with my back and legs too. But, I tell you that not so that you will pity me. No, not at all. Because what happened next in my life was amazing. I was healed by the love of someone who just would not give up on me. She stuck with me through all the most difficult parts of my life. She saved me. It was sad when she had to go away and I couldn’t go with her. But, she made sure that I was safe and sent me here. It was a good choice. I try to send her love and messages for her to know that I am doing well and I am happy. I will always be grateful to her. Our hearts will always be connected. I am at peace within myself. I do not hold grudges or hate people as a result of what one person did in the past. I wish humans could learn to forgive and move on as well. I meet so many humans who hang on to anger and hurt until it is now hurting themselves. I am grateful for every single day.”