From Molly: “Don’t be fooled by the fact I no longer have eyes. Do not for a second think I live in darkness. My life is full of light. In fact, I see more than when I had my eyesight. Before I had sight. But now I have vision. I feel more deeply. I smell things more clearly. And I can sense a heavy heart a mile away. If you come stand with me filled with pity, you will not find me to be too forthcoming to share with you. But if you come to me with curiosity of who I am, I will share with you all you want to know. Because I may not have eyes, but I can see you for who you are. Can you?”
From Romeo: “Being a rabbit is in itself enough to be grateful for. To be able to smell things so exquisitely and to have a body that can leap for joy at the smell of a good carrot is simply amazing. To have ears that can hear the tiniest of movements around me and the ability to run fast if I have to brings me great comfort. Being handsome of course also has its benefits. I am grateful for the opportunity life has given me to live my life to the fullest as a rabbit. Life is good. Life is precious.”
From Libby: “This may sound funny coming from a donkey but I am grateful for quiet times. People sometimes move too fast. They are always in a hurry. Even when they come up to feed us in the morning, they are focused on what they have to do next and not what they are doing now. Everyone runs from here to there. Or zooms around in motorized things. I appreciate when someone comes to see me who doesn’t mind just standing still without any idea of what we will do. Let’s just be in the moment. That would be something wouldn’t it? Yep, I’m grateful for the silent shared moments. And I’m always open for more.”
From Misty Mew: “One of my favorite things to do is to get to know people. I like to try to help people understand that they are important. Some people don’t even recognize that I am here. And then there are others who have become my friends. I don’t think humans are very trusting. There was a time that I didn’t trust too well either. Not everyone was kind to me. But then I ended up here where I find kindness every day. I am grateful to know that trust and friendship exist and that I can be the friend that somebody needs. It is a really great feeling. I am grateful to people who like to stop and share with me.”
From Charlie: “I have so many things that I love and am grateful for. Sometimes my life is limited when I cannot go out and eat all the grass that I smell and see outside my paddock. I have problems with my feet that get very painful if I eat grass. While that is frustrating at times, I still am grateful to go outside in the sun and fresh air. I love smelling the air. The wind will tell you about things to come if you listen. I love the smell after it rains and everything is nourished by the water. And I love the sound of my human friends coming to feed us. I can always tell when they are about to walk in and I love to celebrate their arrival. There is so much in a day that seems little but is actually huge at providing joy. I hope you are grateful for the little things in your day as well.”
From Eloise: “As a pig, I am lucky to have the life that I do, and I am acutely aware of that fact. I am grateful for the freedom to be me. I am grateful for the opportunity to live out my life the way I am wanting to. I am grateful to lie in the mud and feel the warm sun on my back. I am grateful for all the food that is brought to me every day. I am grateful for people who love me for being me and who take the time to get to know me. I am also grateful to have been able to have my children here and know they are safe. But most importantly, I am grateful to be loved.”
From Mabel: “Seriously, when you get to be my age, you are just grateful for every breath you take. But aside from that, I think it’s funny that you ask us this question every year. What it indicates to me is that humans forget to take stock of what they are grateful for in their lives. And that explains a lot to me. So many humans come to visit here with so much heaviness in their hearts. Their minds are dulled. Their hearts are aching. They carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. Donkeys are used to carrying heavy loads all the time. But nothing compares to the load of stress that you humans put on yourselves. So…. I suggest you start where I did when you asked me this question. If you are not sure of what you have to be grateful for in your life, then be grateful for each and every breath you take. Because I am grateful that you are breathing!”
From Sylvester: “Life is just amazing! All of it! I’ve seen a lot of things. I’ve been lost. I’ve been found. I’ve been sick. I’ve been healthy. I’ve been stupid. I’ve been smart. And…. I also know that I’ve been lucky. When I was most down and out, someone brought me here to safety. And what I never saw coming was how much I would fall in love with my new world. I am the happiest ever in my life. I never would have dreamed this could happen. My favorite thing in the world to do is just to hang out and be loved. And I get a lot of that around here! Never give up hope. Never. I am grateful for love. And I will never let go of that.”
From Lucy Goose: “I am grateful for being old. If you think that sounds strange, then I’d like to tell you that the alternative to that is pretty grim. I’ve learned a lot in my life. I’ve done a lot of things. And I’d like to think I’m a lot wiser than the little cute gosling that hatched over two decades ago. The world looks sweeter to me. I appreciate things more deeply. And I am grateful for it all. I watch these younger beings around me that think they know a lot. But they have forgotten that learning never stops. And if it does, you are not going to be in such a brilliant place. But this old goose isn’t fooled by youthful exuberance. I once was over confident too. I once thought I was owed a lot. But the truth is that this old goose understands that you are only self-made. And if you don’t pay attention to learning and bettering yourself, there isn’t anyone else who can do it for you. I am a grateful goose.”
From Ginny: “I greatly appreciate the different seasons. Winter can sometimes get boring when we have to stay in the barn for long periods of time. But I know that our humans are looking out for us when they leave us in. It can get very icy here. But winter offers a different kind of quiet that doesn’t come in any of the other seasons. I love the quiet when you can hear the snowflakes hitting the ground. I love the crisp air and the pure white of the land all around us. I also love spring and the smells of new grass and buds and flowers. And the return of the birds. I love that too. And summer has all the grass we can eat. I love standing in a summer rain. I love standing outside under the stars. I deliberately do not have a favorite season so that I can enjoy each one for the specialness each offers. Seasons remind us that all things change and that change doesn’t have to be bad.”
From Buster: “I am grateful for my friends. I’m honestly grateful for lots of things. But to know and feel love is a true blessing. My life did not start out like that. I faced a lot of darkness and hard times. Sometimes I didn’t think I’d even survive. But I did. I am proof that love can heal a lot of things. If you are in a place of hopelessness, please know that it can totally change and life can become beautiful for you. I know this for sure. And I am grateful for it all.”
From Mary: “Oh my goodness, in some ways this is a silly question I think. It is a good question for sure. But it is silly that you have to be reminded to be grateful. Being a sheep can be challenging. The world is not made for sheep. You all move to fast and recklessly. We sheep prefer to take it easy and be orderly. We know how to be a community. We understand that when one is strong, all is strong. So we help raise each other up to be strong. It doesn’t mean we all like each other. We don’t. We have squabbles too. But we don’t spend our lives tearing each other down. We try to boost each other up. If we don’t, then we stand to all lose to a predator. I watch humans all the time. I confess that I don’t always understand your ways. You think that you have no natural predators. Yet you continue to prey upon each other. No sheep would ever betray the trust of the flock. It is most unkind and unfortunate that you humans do not stand united and look out for one another. In watching you, I am even more grateful to be a sheep and to learn and know how to stand strong together. That is what I am grateful for – the strength and love of community.”
From Woodward: “If you’ve ever known pain and hardship then you understand how hard that can be. I am grateful for healing. It was a long road. I was very injured and almost lost a leg. But I healed thanks to the help of several humans. I was afraid of humans my whole life. Didn’t want anything to do with them. They were just too scary. But then when I was otherwise going to die on the side of a road, humans stepped in to save me. I am eternally grateful to all of them. But I am also grateful for the patience of the humans here in my home who didn’t pressure me to be who they wanted me to be. They let me find my way. And I did. I love my human friends. I now know the kindness of a good back scratch. I know how fun it is to share a purr. And while I still have lots to learn, I am grateful for the chance to learn all I can. Love is a wonderful thing. Thank you.”
From Marty: “Don’t think because I live in a cage that I am trapped. You see, my physical mobility may be limited by the restraints of a cage, but I have allowed the world to come to me. I am grateful for the gift of my song that I love to share with those around me. Singing brings great joy and peace to others. And it also brings great purpose to me. I have a life with purpose. Don’t let your ideas confine you to what you think life is like for me. I see many humans who live in cages and don’t even realize how much they have locked themselves in and miss the beauty around them. Sing your song that you came here to sing! And remember me, Marty, who shared with you that piece of wisdom.”
From Ollie: “I appreciate others who do not have agendas. I admit, I sometimes carry a bit of a grudge for things that happened in the past. No one will believe this but I was bullied a lot. I lost my home because a human entered our lives that didn’t understand me at all. Next thing you know I was out on the street. Then I got picked on by other cats. No one seemed to accept me. I was down and out and I didn’t like that at all. But then I was brought here. I’ve not always been an easy cat. I am learning about being grateful actually. But I think I have a ways to go on that. Maybe I need to soften a bit more as well. Ok, I’ve got some work to do. But I am grateful to not feel pushed to change. I am grateful for all the kindness shown to me even when I sometimes have not been as kind as I should have been. I strive to do better.”
From Leo: “I never tire of the beauty in the world. The sky can sure be beautiful as the sun sets. I love watching those colors as they change each night. I love the colors of flowers. I love to watch butterflies float across the pasture. I love watching the leaves turn colors in the fall. And I even like the sun glistening off the pure white snow in winter. I think there is much to be grateful for in every single moment. Even during sad times, if we could remember to stop and be grateful for one simple thing … a kind touch, a soothing voice, a hug. It helps us to remember that all sadness shifts into something else just as the snow melts into spring flowers. Just as the sky morphs into colors at sunrise and sunset. Just as the butterfly flies when it never could imagine that it would. All these things I am grateful for.
From Marco: “Oh happy day! I love being asked questions! I am grateful for every morsel of food that nourishes all of us. There are so many great tastes and smells in the world. The bounty is something we should never take for granted. Life nourishes each one of us. And life is within everything we eat. If your food is not alive, then you will perish. Breathe in the fragrance of nice carrot greens or a banana and your senses will be filled with delight. And you will be nourished and enriched. Be grateful for each bite.”
From Bayberry: “I know that many people see me as a little on the nutty side. I know that because I’ve heard them say it. Funny when people say things in front of animals and they think that we don’t understand what they are saying. So you may think this sounds nutty but I feel that we can never be grateful enough for the sun. If you have ever lived in darkness you know what it feels like the first day you stand in the sun knowing you are safe. It is a moment I shall never forget. It feels like the warmth of the sun sinks down through every cell and cleanses out the negative, pain, and darkness. The sun is something I will never take for granted. I hope you don’t either.”
From Alice: “I’m grateful to be here. Sometimes the road to happiness seems to take difficult twists and turns. It is hard to trust things when you can’t see where you are going. It was like that for me. Just when I was convinced things were never going to be ok, I ended up exactly where I was supposed to be. I am grateful to be happy. I also love being warm and snuggly. It is the simple things in life that mean the most. Because when I didn’t have a warm, snuggly, and safe place to be, I never knew I could possibly end up having it all. But now I do. I hope you have things to believe in too.”
From Edgar: “Being a pig is very fun. My mom says that not all pigs can say that. But I know that I can. I live with my mom and my siblings. Now to be honest, that isn’t always fun. But most of the time it is great. A couple of my sisters are really pushy though. My brother and I try to stick together. But it’s not always easy. But that is ok. My mom says that life isn’t always easy. I suppose that is the truth because it would be very boring then wouldn’t it? Let’s see, what am I most grateful for? I’d have to say, food would win. But I also love mud and sun and grass. Oh, and belly rubs from my human friends. I also love hearing people giggle. It is such a funny sound. People who have never touched a pig before find it such a joy. And that makes me happy too. I hope you find time and reason to giggle. It is one of your most charming features!”
From Chico: “My friends and I have a great life here. While the humans have been preparing for winter life, we have been enjoying the warm days and warm nights of fall. The moon was very bright this week. While we looked around in the moonlight, we could see all sorts of nightlife around us. There were our deer friends walking about quietly around our pasture. We like them. They stop and tell us of things that they know. I stood under the stars and realized how big the sky is. It is a comfort to see the stars. It means that even on nights that are really dark, there will always be light to guide us. People probably don’t realize I care about those things. But that’s because people forget about the stars. You might want to look for them again. Stars tell us that we are never alone in the dark.”
From Ned: “This is my first year here and I’m not sure what to do with this. Don’t take me wrong, I have much to be grateful about in my life. I also have had a lot of change and change is very difficult for me. Maybe it is for you too? It’s just hard when everything is different and you don’t know what to expect. I tend to worry a lot about things. I’m finding out that maybe that is not a good thing. I know I get impatient with people and even other cats sometimes. But I’m still trying to figure all of this out. Are you finding life challenging too? Let’s all focus on the things that are certain. I know that I am in a safe place. And I have friends. And, actually, that is what I will focus on for now.”
From Luna: “I’ve done this message thing for many years now. I found out that you humans really do listen to my messages. A few years ago I said I was most grateful for peppermints. Whoa, you should have seen the avalanche of peppermints that came my way. Of course I shared. But I can’t eat peppermints anymore. I’m getting older now. Have some teeth issues. And have had a few health things too. But I’ll tell you what I’m most grateful for now in my age. I’m grateful for this farm. My home. The home for so many of us who were homeless. To be able to know the love of a home is what I am stupendously grateful for. Yes, even more than I used to be grateful for peppermints. Love is a wonderful thing. My heart has a home and my heart is full. So if you’ve helped by helping the farm for being here and continuing onward, then I am doubly grateful to you for that. That’s it from me, Luna, this year. Oh, and rest assured, I am still my sassy self. And I’m also grateful for that!”
From Mia: “Being a horse is not always easy but it is always an honor. I cherish living close to the earth and to feel all the things that I feel. Yes, I have known sadness. I’ve known fear. I’ve known loneliness. But I’ve also found immense connection. I know joy. I know love. I love kindness and I have learned to trust in that kindness. People see horses as being strong and athletic. But sometimes we cannot live up to your expectations. When we can’t be a super horse, we hope you will find our hearts and compassion to be enough. I have found that in my life. I no longer need to perform to be safe. I’m now allowed to simply be me. I am grateful for every second of that opportunity.”