My Year of Gratitude!

   

     I haven't blogged for a while for several reasons. First, because of the holidays, it's been very busy! Second, everyone has been sick and there have been a lot of things going on! Now that the holidays are over, I find that I am pretty...well, lazy. I can't lie. I feel pretty great when I'm snoozing, anywhere, anytime. I guess that's winter, for you. I might have R. S.A.D. (rainy-day seasonal affective disorder).

     Don't get me wrong--I love my daily walks. I don't care how cold it is, how windy it is or how dark! The best days, in fact, are the ones where my uncle Eric or my grandma (or both!) let us walk just a little bit longer. But today is a rainy day; a sleety, icy rainy day and that isn't my cup of my tea, if you know what I mean!
Today is one of those days. My grandma let me go outside in the morning and I came right back in! Uncle Eric took me for a walk, but I dragged him home. Who wants a coat of hair on your fur? Not me! So, I'm lazing around by the electric fireplace, taking a walk down memory lane.

    Today is a day that I am thankful that I have a nice, warm house, good food, people who care about me and chew toys! It reminds me that, all over the world, there are people who are not as lucky as I am. Did I ever tell you about the time my family went to Dachau concentration camp in Germany? Oh, man; that was not a nice place!  My mom and I were living in Germany at the time and my uncle Eric and grandma had come to visit. We all thought it was important to learn more about what happened at the camps, so we did some research and decided to visit Dachau.

     When we visited, it was winter and, even though it wasn't a terrible day weather-wise, it was cold there--even inside! When you first arrive at Dachau, you are greeted by an iron gate, with the words: Arbeit Macht Frei (work sets you free) in the center (which was stolen from the camp gate in November of 2014 and not yet recovered as yet). There are tall fences and imposing concrete buildings surrounding the camp, which is fairly large. The concentration has a museum with pictures, artifacts and information about Dachau. You go through the museum as a new prisoner would have traveled, before being assigned to a barrack. As you go through the museum, you see photos and read about what would happen to the prisoners at each stage of entry, such as being issued prison garb and being inspected for health issues. As you complete the museum path, you realize how frightening and lonely it must have felt for the prisoners.

     After moving through the museum, we went to visit the barracks, which were simply slabs of wood made into bunks. The latrines were common, with no hot water and no privacy.  At the very end of the camp you can see what once was a crematorium. Where ever you were in the camp, you could be seen by the tall guard towers. As stayed until the sun set, and it was even more ominous.It was a place I think is important to visit and learn about, but it disturbing. I know one thing--I wouldn't have survived there!
I'm pretty used to running around, being free, eating when I want and snuggling up warm and toasty. I admit--I don't really have experience with the hard-knock life. But, I've never forgotten that visit and what I learned there!

     On a day like this, with the icy rain, I know I must be thankful for my freedom and my comfortable life. I know there are people and dogs who don't have such a comfortable life. My 2015 New Year's resolution is to be more thankful! Now, for an adorable (I'm told) dog like me, it's not easy. I mean, I can't keep a gratitude journal, like my grandma does (no thumbs). Sometimes, I forget to be thankful. But I am learning. So, for today, I'm thankful that:
1) My mom is coming home soon! (YAY!)
2) I have my own little blankie to keep me warm.
3) And knowing the sun will come out tomorrow! (Rest up                     grandma--I'm going to want a loooooong walk!)

The iron gate of Dachau

Part of the museum     

The bunks in the barracks