Announcing a brand-new Award!

It's almost Thanksgiving. A time for gratitude, not just for the food in our bellies, the roofs over our heads and the pillows beneath them. But for sincerely thanking those individuals who have made our lives brighter, our hearts fuller and our burdens lighter.

So I've created this little award. While everyone who regularly reads this blog and leaves a comment is certainly deserving, I'd like to bestow this Award upon five individuals with the hopes that they will cut and paste the badge above for their blogs, then honor five more and so on and so on...

My first blessing has to go to Max Dog, who so generously shares his beautiful country and his Mom's even more lovely words with us.

My second blessing goes to Mango, the Relentlessly Huge, for the enormous amount of work he puts into our blog world, to keep us involved and amused with events as far-ranging as Mangominster and our trip to Africa. Through Mango, I've met some extraordinary dogs and their owners.

My third blessing goes to Clive and his Not-So-Little-Man and their family. The candor and joy they share with us has had an incredible impact on our understanding of autism and how very capable and creative autistic children can be, especially when encouraged by love and a lot of curly blond fur.

My fourth blessing is headed west to Joe Stains and the hilarious Tanner Torkelson. There isn't a day that goes by that they don't make us smile and laugh with their wit, wisdom and unflagging loyalty to their teams. (Go Yankees.)

My fifth blessing is for my bestie pal, Eric Square Dog. Truly, this fine fellow is a pal beyond measure—generous, wise and funny beyond belief. His joie de vivre is infectious and he lifts my spirits with every post.

Frankly, my blessings are beyond measure and this list could go on and on indefinitely. But for now, I'll limit myself to five. While each one of you is indeed a blessing, I think it is important to be acknowledged by name, and I'm sure each one of you will be declared a blessing as this award moves from blog to blog.

Much love, health and happiness to you all this Thanksgiving.