Thanks so much for being here... I hope this finds you healthy, curious and seeing the world through the eyes of your furry best friends --- full of wonder, adventure and fun, and full of happy rolls in the grass and sunshine!
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A Pawsitive Pathfinder is someone whose heart is called to make the lives of our beloved companion animals the healthiest, happiest, and longest it can be… Someone who helps their furry friends live their best lives, while living their own.

TPP-Family Edition:Year in Review

Hey there Pathfinder!

Well, 2024 was a wild ride, wasn’t it?!? …Whether you ended up where you thought you would by the end of it, feel excitement -or apprehension- for the coming year, or are just going with the flow and barely noticed the calendar change, one thing is certain… 2025 is sure to be a year of change, growth, and fun—if we let it. In Chinese astrology, this year is the year of the Snake, and though not a furry friend, per say, this beloved companion represents transformation, expansion, and introspection. I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling that already!

A new adventure is brewing in the world of this ‘AuntieMom,’ and that is why I needed to take a bit of a hiatus from the newsletter. …You see, I have gone MOBILE! I have embraced my gypsy spirit, and have jumped with both feet into a fully location-independent lifestyle. I am officially writing from the open road! YAY for freedom and adventure!
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With that announcement, I’d like to offer you an apology, as well. I’m sorry for the lapse in publishing new issues of this newsletter, and I really appreciate you hanging in there with me!! And to kick-off the resumption of The Pawsitive Pathfinder: Family Edition journey, I’d like to begin with a review, and reflect on some lessons our furriest of companions have to teach us and take with us into the new year.

When I began the trail of The Pawsitive Pathfinder, I had a vision in mind: create a place where those who love and protect four-legged pets (particularly dogs and cats) could come and learn while I learn what are the best ways to help our beloved companions live their best, healthiest, and longest lives. Eventually, becoming a place where we can all learn from each other, and share in our love of the fur. That is still my hope for this little venture, and I do hope you’ll come with me, and invite all your friends who love the fur babies along with us!

Last year we talked about how we can become our best friend’s best friend, consciously creating healthier, more vibrant, longer lives for our four-legged friends and family members by making intentional choices on their behalf. We also talked about how our choices for ourselves and our choices for our pets and companions are inextricably linked. How important it is to protect and treasure them. And how vital, rich, and rewarding being a pet parent and guardian can be.

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As we walked along the trail, we began talking about how to help our pets stay healthy, get good nutrition to safeguard against illness and age, and easy ways to begin today to add freshness and vital nutrients to their meals. We also looked at how to better educate ourselves on what brands on the market today meet standards we might want to hold on our furry kids behalf as we shop for their food.

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In coming issues of The Pawsitive Pathfinder: Family Edition, we’ll continue down the trail searching for ways to love our furry friends more, better, and in ways that can help extend their time with us, and make their " Era with My Hoomsan" the very best it can be!!

For now, I’d like to leave you with ten lessons I’ve learned from the lovable, beautiful furry kids I have cared for over this past year.
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🧸PLAY. EVERY DAY.

Each day, we should remember to bring in some play and some laughter and joy into our lives. Not only do these things relieve and reduce the stressors of life, they also help keep us feeling young and boost our overall mood. Especially when that play time is with your furry friend!
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😴 GET ENOUGH SLEEP.

Ever notice that a dog can go from dead asleep to going a mile a minute in record time? That’s because dogs get plenty of sleep! Also, they show us the value of a good nap. Plus, dogs are rarely in a bad mood, mostly, I think, because they are well rested. 😉
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💚 FORGIVE QUICKLY.. AND OFTEN.

Animals have a remarkable ability to forgive and move on from negative experiences. Step on a dog or cat’s tail, and they won’t hold it against you later. They might not even hold it against you then. …They inherently know that forgiveness is key to a happy, healthy life.
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❤️ LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY.

Our pets don’t care how much money we make, how fit we are, whether we live in a big house, or drive a fancy car. They think we’re funny and good, always want to be with us and miss us when we are away. They accept us as we are, always comfort and support us—even if it’s just with a cuddle, and as mentioned previously, forgive us our missteps. We could definitely learn from this example!
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🐶 LIVE IN THIS VERY MOMENT.

Ever notice how your dog—whether it’s eating its favorite snack, gnawing on its favorite toy, or walking with you through the neighborhood sniffing all the “pee-mail” along the way—is singularly focused and present in that task? Our pets have an innate ability to just BE in the present moment. They don’t dwell on the past, or worry about the future. They are just here. Now. …Something we should all strive to emulate more often.
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💙 SHOW EMPATHY.

Cats and dogs are adept at reading the emotional landscape around them, and have an uncanny ability to share in the emotional world of their people. Coming to sit in your lap, nudging your hand for pets and cuddles, sticking to your leg like velcro to be by your side. …These are all ways our pets show us empathy when we are in need of comfort- even before we realize we are.
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🙏 EXPRESS GRATITUDE.

Our furry friends are masters at this one. Watch their behavior and it won’t take long to realize that they are regularly practicing one of the universal master keys: expressing their gratitude. Wagging their tail at even just the sight of their human. Purring while curled up in the crook of your arm. Making eye contact, bringing you their toys, rubbing against you, showing you their belly, head butting, licking your face, following you around… All signs of affection and love, expressed through an instinctive gratitude.
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🐈 SLOW DOWN.

Our pets seem to have a great attitude towards life as a whole: Take it slow. Until it’s time to play. Then go crazy! …This one goes along with living in the present moment (and incorporating more play into your life), as animals seem to know instinctually to take life at a slow pace. It is better for your health. It is better for your mood. It makes living in the moment much easier to do. And it conserves energy for when it’s time to zoooooom!
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💯 TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS.

Our furry friends have a natural ability to be guided by their instincts above all else—sometimes even training. It serves them, too. They know when someone has arrived at the house long before you do, and they can do their duty then to inform you of this fact. Their instincts help them avoid predators, be aware of important environmental cues, and navigate in the world all without thinking themselves out of it. And it works in the other way, too: our pets are just themselves in the world and trust that all is well—without pretense or apology.
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🧶 THE LITTLE THINGS ARE THE BIG THINGS.

The beauty of life—and its inherent happiness—lies in the seemingly insignificant moments and details. …just ask you furry friends. A bowl of kibble, a nuzzle behind the ear, a stream of sunlight to nap in, a tennis ball gnawed and chewed to the perfect (albeit gross) texture, birds flying around outside the window, another animals pee on the lawn out front, you walking through the door… In our pets life, the big things are the little things we take for granted while going through our day. But I put it to you that it is a lesson in becoming much more aware that the little things and moments in life ARE the big things that fill it with love and joy and happiness. 😊

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And there you have it. Ten lessons I learned from my adorable, wonderful pet clients in 2024. …What has your furry companion taught you? Please HIT REPLY and let me know!

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See you in the next Family Edition issue!

Thanks for reading this issue of The Pawsitive Pathfinder: Family Edition. And if there are other topics you'd like to talk about, or have thoughts you'd like to share, please hit REPLY on this email and let me know. 🤓

Until next time...

Hey there! I'm StacyLynn. The Furry Kidz Call Me 'AuntieMom.' After a decade of professional pet sitting, I've been adopted by many furry friends. They've helped me to grow, taught me a lot about what makes our four-legged companions happy and healthy, and enriched my life in countless ways. I've become a fierce advocate for their health and well-being, on a mission to help more pet parents support their furry kidz in living longer and healthier lives. I'm the OG Pawsitive Pathfinder.

🤓 Thanks for reading! This is one of the few places we can connect and share knowledge without the constant onslaught of social media distractions, so I truly appreciate you and your time and attention! 🧡

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