Give Thanks One Pooch at a Time

From The PetGuy archive

Originally published in LEO on November 24, 1999 • Updated with modern guidance in 2026

Originally published as part of Jeff Seidenfaden's weekly Like Cats and Dogs newspaper column in LEO, this Thanksgiving message is less about pet care techniques and more about gratitude.

While many of these archived columns focus on solving behavior problems or improving pet health, this one serves as a reminder of the incredible bond between people and animals—and recognizes the shelters, volunteers, veterinarians, media partners, and pet lovers whose compassion makes a difference every day.

Original Article

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year, as you sit down to a wonderful Thanksgiving meal, take a minute to give thanks to some of those who often go unthanked. Your pets, for instance. Pets play a very important part in many people's lives.

Whether they help reduce stress, serve as constant companions, or work as guide dogs, they truly become members of the family. So this holiday season, let's give thanks.

Thanks, too, for the wonderful animal agencies we have in the Louisville and Jefferson County area. From our animal control department to the many shelters and volunteer organizations, we are fortunate to have so much assistance available for the animals in our community. We could always use more, of course, but we're lucky to have what we do.

Thanks also to our local media. Never before had animal welfare enjoyed as much visibility as it did at the time this column was written. LEO, Insight Communications, all four local television network affiliates, and many local radio stations generously donated time and space to raise awareness about the needs of animals throughout our community. Turn on almost any local television station, and sooner or later you'll find pets looking for loving homes.

Special thanks go to Insight Communications and the television program Pet Central. More than 400 homeless pets found permanent homes after being featured on the show during the previous year—a truly remarkable accomplishment. And thanks to LEO for providing a weekly outlet to share information, education, and practical advice on topics that matter to pet owners.

Finally, thank you—the readers.

Thank you for taking the time to read this column, watch our television programs, donate to local animal organizations, report animal abuse, rescue homeless animals, foster pets, and support the countless efforts that improve the lives of animals throughout our community.

Through your generosity, hundreds of thousands of dollars are raised each year to care for homeless pets, thousands of animals find loving families, and life continues to get a little better for our four-legged friends.

Of course, no Like Cats and Dogs column would be complete without a few seasonal reminders.

Thanksgiving Do's and Don'ts

Do remember your pets during the holidays.

As we finish Thanksgiving leftovers and head out for days of holiday shopping, don't forget that your pets are still at home. Animals sense changes in the household. They notice our routines, our stress levels, and even our excitement. Spend a few extra moments with them and remind them they're still an important part of the family.

Don't leave Thanksgiving table scraps where curious pets can reach them.

A turkey carcass may smell irresistible to a dog, but cooked bones can create serious digestive problems. Dispose of food scraps immediately in an outdoor garbage container if possible.

Also remember that rich holiday foods are very different from your pet's normal diet. Too much gravy, butter, seasoning, or fatty meat can easily upset their stomach. If you'd like to include your dog in the celebration, consider adding a small amount of turkey-flavored dog food instead.

Do keep holiday decorations safely out of reach.

Many Thanksgiving decorations include dried fruits, vegetables, gourds, or natural materials that may still carry scents attractive to curious pets. Keeping decorations out of reach helps prevent accidental chewing or ingestion.

As I mention in almost every column, common sense remains your greatest tool as a pet owner.

Spend time with those you love—both two-legged and four-legged. Enjoy your Thanksgiving meal, cherish your family, and have a wonderful holiday.

The PetGuy Perspective Today

Reading this article today brings back an important reminder: while veterinary medicine and pet nutrition have continued to evolve, gratitude never goes out of style.

I'm especially proud of the recognition given here to Louisville's animal shelters, volunteers, rescue organizations, veterinarians, media partners, and the viewers and readers who made programs like Pet Central possible. Together, we helped thousands of homeless pets find loving homes, and that remains one of the accomplishments I'm most proud of.

The holiday safety advice also continues to hold true. Every Thanksgiving, veterinarians still treat pets who become sick after eating fatty foods, cooked bones, onions, grapes, raisins, chocolate, or other holiday treats. A little planning—and a little restraint when those pleading eyes look up from under the table—can help ensure everyone enjoys a safe and memorable holiday.

Continue Reading in The Pet Guy Archives

• Winterizing Your Pets

• A Pet May Not Be the Perfect Gift

• Don't Let Your Fido Freeze

• House Training Made Easy

About The Pet Guy Archives

The Pet Guy Archives preserve Jeff Seidenfaden's original newspaper columns, television features, and educational articles spanning more than three decades. Each article has been carefully republished to preserve its historical authenticity while making it accessible to today's pet owners.

About Jeff Seidenfaden

Jeff Seidenfaden, known to many as The PetGuy, has spent more than three decades helping families better understand and care for their pets through newspaper columns, television appearances, public speaking, and educational outreach. The PetGuy Archive preserves these original articles while adding modern context for today's pet owners.