When you’ve spent years around dogs like we have — in grooming, boarding and all the playful chaos in between — you start to notice patterns. One of the most beautiful patterns? Dogs seem to truly know how to be thankful. And not in a forced way, but in a naturally unfolding, moment-to-moment kind of way.
Here at Beds‑N‑Biscuits we get to witness it every day: a pup’s delighted tail-wag when someone enters, the way they settle in for a post-play nap, the soft sigh after a good belly-rub. Those little things add up, and they have a lot to teach us.
1. They live in the moment
One of the clearest lessons dogs show us is presence. They’re not worried about next week’s schedule, a missed email, or what happened two days ago. They’re right here. For example, we often catch pups at BNB pausing mid-zoomie to sniff a falling leaf, completely absorbed. According to a canine-wellness blog: “Dogs live in the moment… they are naturally attuned to each moment and are present with their owners and with each other.” (Vancouver EMDR Therapy, PLLC) Takeaway for us: When your schedule is full (and we know yours is), try this simple habit: pause for one minute. Take a deep breath. Look around you. What’s happening right this moment? What smells or sounds are around you? Gratitude often opens to us when we slow down.
2. They appreciate what they have
A dog doesn’t compare “what I have” to “what I don’t have”. They don’t scroll a feed wondering if the neighbor’s pup has a better toy. They simply enjoy: the treat, the walk, the attention. Takeaway: Consider this: for one day this November, at the top of every hour silently note one thing you’re grateful for in that moment. It might be the fact you have a roof over your head, that the season is full of fun plans with friends, or that you have a pup that absolutely adores you. These little recognitions build a strong foundation of appreciation.
3. They don’t hold grudges
If a dog misses a command or gets scolded, they don’t carry that frustration into the next moment (we wouldn’t want them to anyway!). They’re quick to forgive (and forget) and return to the joy of being together. Takeaway: In our busy lives, it’s easy to hold on to a “bad day”—a rude driver on the highway, a relative who likes to push your buttons, a scheduling mishap. Instead: try a reset moment. At the end of the day, take a quiet minute and let go of what didn’t go right. Recognize what did go right. Let the dog-teaching of forgiveness and moving forward support your gratitude mindset.
4. They love unconditionally and fully
A dog greets you whether you’ve been gone five minutes or five hours. They may not articulate “thank you,” but their body says it: the ears perk, tail waves, eyes sparkle. Their joy at connection is vivid. Takeaway: This November, alongside offering gratitude itself, consider expressing it more actively. It can be something as small as telling someone they made your day, or writing a short thank you note, or something more significant like dropping off an unexpected treat to a friend. We find that being involved in our community helps all of us at BNB feel connected and thankful for our place within it. Gratitude isn’t just a feeling — it grows when we share it.
5. They remind us that gratitude is a practice
Gratitude doesn’t need to be grand. Dogs show that small gestures matter. A stick thrown in the yard becomes a game; a walk in the field becomes an adventure. The trick isn’t to wait for big moments, but to recognize the simple ones. A blog phrased it this way: “Finding joy even in the little things… helps train your brain to seek out the good things in life.” (OVRS) Takeaway: As you wrap up 2025 and look ahead to the holiday season, pick one “gratitude habit” you’ll carry through your day. Maybe every morning you write down one thing you’re grateful for, or maybe you close the day by identifying one small moment that brought you joy. Over time, these build up.
Dogs may not carry signs that say “I am grateful,” but they live as though gratitude is part of their DNA. They greet each moment, each person, each toy with something like: “I’m here. I feel you. And this moment is good.” As we enter this season of thankfulness, let’s borrow that mindset. Let us be present. Let us appreciate. Let us forgive. Let us love fully. And let us share our gratitude — with our dogs, with all of those who love them and us, and with ourselves.
Happy November. 🧡
“Dogs teach us to find joy in life’s simplest pleasures and to be grateful for the little things.” (iHeartDogs.com)