2020: What are your pets most grateful for this year?

Cheek to cheek.

Pretty sure many of our pets are stoked to have us at their disposal 24/7 right now (which has us worrying about separation anxiety when we finally get out of the house again), but there’s plenty of other treats, toys, and naps to be thankful for in the life of any pet. So, I asked some friends -- if your pet could talk, what would they say they're most grateful for in 2020? Here’s what they had to meow. Or bark. Or… slither.

“I’m most grateful that my mom is home alllll the time. If she even walks toward the door I run to block her so she can stay home and pet me. And if she does leave when she comes back I meet her at the door to remind her why she shouldn’t leave again. I also like to sit next to her while she works and sometimes I run across the keyboard just so whoever she is talking to knows I’m there. It’s fun.” - Neville (tabby cat)

“I’m most grateful for all the cozy sleeping places in my apartment and that no one cares when I scream because I love to scream all the time. I’m also grateful for the new treats my mom found that are like cat soups. They’re my favorite thing ever and if I want one I scream until I get it.” - Amelie (dilute calico cat)

“I’m grateful that those nice kissy people have been home so much this year! I like snoozing and overhearing them tell each other to look over at me at how my paws are crossed or when my face is smushed from sleeping. I love that Mom always looks so happy to see me in the morning even after a rough night and that she puts great beans and pumpkin in my food so I don’t scoot my boot. Dad is so handsome and I love that he lets me lick his salty forehead. I’m grateful that I can make them happy even when they’re sad or bored.” -CJ (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel)

“Most grateful for my humans to invest in a behavioral trainer to better understand my past trauma. If we can better understand my triggers, than we will have a much calmer 2021” - Dashiell Hammett (Yorkie)

“2020 was my last year before finally shuffling off this mortal coil to the magic that dogs know in the afterlife. I loved my quiet mornings in my sunny spot by the door, my brand new Dogloo, and all that bacon. My people knew it was coming to an end, and as such I had zero restrictions on leftovers, which was pretty sweet. I had unlimited blankets and head scritches. I loved when they would light the fire pit and watch movies outside with me. And I found my calling as a YouTube dog. I lost my bay but still did a full yard patrol every night and kept everyone safe and snug and I still guard over them if they need it. Being a dog was a damn good way to spend fifteen years - 10:10 recommend. To all the dogs: don't waste a minute - buy the tickets - dig the hole- eat the unattended pizza - it goes fast ❤️” - Skillet (Blue Tick Coonhound; RIP 2020)

"Grateful?! Ha! Umm... lemme think.... oh, I know, not a goddamned thing! I bet you thought I was going to say that fancy new litter box, ha! I curse the day she-who-must-not-be-named brought that poop stealer home! I spend hours making it and then find the perfect spot to place it and that thing just eats it! It's horrifying! You wanna see grateful?!? Wait around til feeding time, I may seem just a tiny bit satisfied then, but I mean, just having an actual "feeding time" is so incredibly unfortunate and degrading, that I'll probably still be quite salty. I would be grateful to wake up in a higher caste of catdom, i can tell you that! come back when that happens! I have spoken." Yawn/licklick/snore - Monkey (tabby cat)

“I'm most grateful that my humans started staying home... My mom human sits next to my tank M-F and talks to me and l watch her work. I'm grateful they bought me a mansion I went from a 40 gallon tank to a 4x2x2, wider, higher and longer... I'm grateful for my superworms, and my salads of squash and collared greens and Escarole, red peppers, etc... I'm grateful I get to do a snuggly nap with the snorer, but at least I get to nap with him in the chair and I'm grateful they spoil me rotten, with a hammock to sleep on at night and teach other humans, I may not be as soft and snuggly as a dog, but, I crave attention like a dog and I can be snuggly and cuddly, even though I'm scaly…” - Koko (Bearded Dragon)

“I'm grateful my mom made sure I was ok when I got a UTI this summer even though it meant I had to go to the vet multiple times. But now I get wet food twice a day. And mom loves getting up at the crack of dawn to feed me!” -Linus Baragiola (black domestic kitty-cat)

“I'm grateful for lap time, blanket time, crunchers, tuna flavored Temptations, and the fact I can get a belly rub or a jaw scratching just by walking up to his chair. I do miss the squirrels and blue jays in Colorado...maybe the next move will be some place with squirrels and blue jays.” - Migs (Snowshoe Siamese)

“I am so grateful my mom stopped traveling for work and never leaves the house now. I no longer have to worry about her when she is gone and now i always rest peacefully knowing where she is 100% of the time” - Adrian the Dog

"I regret nothing." —Penny (tuxedo kitty cat)

“We are grateful for 6 months of helping mom work at home and take care of the house 24/7. We feel our barking during Zoom calls and endless demands for attention were appreciated by both mom and her work. We loved being able to convince mom to walk us 20 times a day even if we didn’t really need to go and comforting her when she was at her wits end. We especially loved when she shared her lunch with us. Then that bitch went back to the office and left us here. So actually, screw 2020.” - Toto, Daisy, and Laika, probably. (Toto and Daisy are both Cairn Terrier mixes. Laika is a Pit Bull-Border Collie mix. They are an odd bunch haha.)

"Holy shit I cannot believe you can take me running EVERY SINGLE DAY now at lunch!” - Artemis (Rottweiler)

“My Gramma is the bestest. I am glad she lets me sleep on the couch; takes Rocko to the vet, gets mad at Marshall (he can’t even hear her, or me.....but I still bark in case he can), gives us peanut butter when Rocko has to take his medicine. She finally lets us sleep around the baby. She is too good to us. And we all got new blankets.” - Koda, Rocko, and Marshall (Rocko 105 lbs Pittie/Bulldog Koda 65 lbs Pittie/Lab Marshall 45lb total mutt)

“I am grateful for all the snacks, supper, scratches, pinchies and being covered up while sleeping. I'm not so grateful for all the baths and teeth brushing.” - Blue (french bulldog)

“Spending more time with my parents, running on the mountain, and lots of shared meat with dad!” - Remy (Australian shepherd and blue heeler mix)

"We're grateful that our mom cooks special things for our breakfast and dinner every day since she's home all the time. We also get Instapot smush bones and middle of the day walks now!" - Chloe and Molly (full names are Claude Peppers and Mollusk; Pug and Rottweiler)

Taylor: tennis balls, sticks, food, beds to nap in, playing bitey face with Stella.
Stella: lots of time with mom and Ben, bossing around Taylor, off leash walks in the woods.

(Both girls are beautiful & funny Airedales)

“I’m grateful you had a groomer shave my whole body and put me in this GD sweater!!!! Not!!!!!” -Sophie Loren (Persian kitty)

"Play with me! Pet me! Love me! Snuggle me!" - Winston (Cavalier King Charles)

“I think we both know that Lincoln has surpassed me in gaining your favor. No doubt, my peeing outside the litter box has solidified the fact in your mind. (nonetheless, thank you for supplying the puppy pads) Still, as an elderly cat, I am thankful that you give me the entire can of wet food, while tossing the empty can to Lincoln for him to lick the juices. Between you and me, he’s dumb enough to think you’re splitting it equally; and that, my friend, is why I don’t claw your ass to death in your sleep.” - Dexter (kitty cat)

“Drake! Timera! Why aren’t you at work? Eh, who cares—You can pet me too, when I’m done with Tim and Charlene.” -- Gromit (Labrador/Bernese Mountain Dog mix)

“Timera! Drake! You aren’t at work! Did I do something wrong? Am I in trouble? I’ll be over here cowering in the corner until you come and pet me and tell what a good girl I am.” - Pepper (poufy raven-colored mix dog)

“Well, if you’re not at work, you need to be giving me your undivided attention. Hey! I’m over here! PAY ATTENTION TO ME! (See attached video)” - Hero (Catahoula/Shepherd mix)

“It is day 826 of my punishment. The humans continue to feed me subpar wet food. It’s such a drivel that I’ve begun a hunger strike. The infernal dogs bark for no reason and startle me out of my afternoon naps all day long. Even in the mornings. There are no small animals to hunt—this is the barren season. It rains constantly, and I am unable to keep my silky strands from clumping together. So I keep myself occupied during these short winter days by perching in the doorway to the dogs’ owners’ bedroom or I take a position in the exact center of the owners’ bed. Either one keeps the dogs at bay and ensures they remain terrified of me. Such is the life of a Kat.” - Kat (obviously a cat)

“What a great year. I finally calmed my anxiety down so I don’t have to eat those nasty pills. I STOPPED PEEING ON MYSELF!!!” - Daisy

“Daddy knows I'm old, and have trouble sleeping. I CAN SLEEP ON THE BED NOW!! He always makes sure there is room.” - Duke

“I didn't get to drive, but I really did get a lot more time with mom and Adam, and they give me food and many kisses. There were so many hours that mom cuddled me, and I made her feel better when she was sad....so it worked out alright.” - Toonces (the driving cat, the cat who could drive a car)

"I'm grateful that my momma is home forever to snuggle, if only I can move her work computer away" - Nala (black lab/aussie mix)

“We love having mom home so she can give us snacks. Wait did someone say snacks! Wheek! Wheek! Wheek! Where are those snacks food lady!!!!!” - Little Guinea Pigs (pet parent Alex)

My two girls:

"I'm most grateful for the love and snuggles my humans give me every single day. I also am grateful for the endless treats, including but not limited to cheese, bully sticks, rawhides, no hides, duck bites, chicken jerky, yummy sticks, chicken thighs, salmon chews, chew chews, and nom noms." - Little Coconut (miniature schnauzer)

"I'm most grateful for my beautiful pantaloons and my beautiful face. I also am grateful for Mud Bay, long pees on the beach, and making my humans go for eight walks a day." - Kitty (flouf corgi/golden mix)

Happy New Year, all! Comment below what your pet is most grateful for!