New Year's resolutions learned from dogs and cats

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New Year's resolutions learned from dogs and cats

While everyone is pondering their New Year’s resolutions, I have decided to venture forth this year as if my dogs and cats were my closest advisors. Here’s what pets teach about the important things in life.

  • There’s always time to stop and smell stuff.
  • Sticking to your diet means eating only what’s on your plate, not the plate itself.
  • Ice cubes can be good snacks, as long as they are referred to as “treats”.
  • A walk around the block makes your tail wag.
  • Running in circles makes you dizzy, but makes other people laugh.
  • Jumping on people is fun, but most people prefer you don’t.
  • Good manners makes people talk sweet about you.
  • Good training and education keeps you in good standing with those you love.
  • Pure joy comes to those who like to play.
  • Patience often leads to unexpected rewards.
  • One great toy is all you really need to be happy.
  • Knowing a good trick or two really impresses people.
  • Everyone needs a friend who listens.
  • Keeping quiet is sometimes the best advice given.
  • Doing nothing is absolutely okay — and taking a nap afterwards is even better.
  • Good friends forgive you even if you eat their socks.
  • Carrying ID keeps you from getting lost in the system.
  • And giving love, unconditional love, is the answer to almost everything.
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2 thoughts on “New Year's resolutions learned from dogs and cats”

  1. Wonderful!  I have revised my New Year’s resolutions to be more in line with these!  Thank you!

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Cathy Rosenthal (aka The Pet Pundit), CHES, CFE

Animal Welfare Communications Strategist, Writer & Educator

Cathy M. Rosenthal is an award-winning humane educator and author, animal welfare strategist, pet columnist, and speaker who has spent more than 38 years working in animal welfare with local and national humane organizations. She helps people better understand and care for animals through her nationally syndicated My Pet World column and has been the longtime pet columnist for the San Antonio Express-News since 2003.

In addition to her writing, Cathy develops humane education, leadership, customer service, and compassion fatigue training programs for animal welfare organizations nationwide, and has helped raise millions of dollars through grant writing, strategic communications, and program development.

Cathy is the editor and curator of Humane Perspectives: Leadership in Animal Welfare and is the author of several books, including Grant Writing Boot Camp for Animal Advocates, The Lucky Tale of Two Dogs, and The Happy Tale of Two Cats, which was the 2026 winner of the Association of Professional Humane Educators’ (APHE) "Educator’s Choice Award" for Best Humane Education Book for Young Children. She also received the 2026 APHE Nathania Gartman Heroes Award for Impact in Humane Education. Her humane education programs in Texas have reached more than 45,000 elementary school children since 2019.

She resides in Texas with her husband, their cat Sterling, and a former community cat, Maddie, who successfully negotiated an indoor living arrangement but still considers human affection highly negotiable.

Humane Perspectives: Leadership in Animal Welfare is on Sale Now! Special website-only price for a limited time! Order your copy today.

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