Why Humans Should be Thankful for Animals (and a Few Things Animals are Grateful For, Too)

12:00AM / Wednesday, November 27, 2002Print Story | Email Story

Tomorrow most of you will sit down with family and friends to give thanks for your blessings (something, I might point out, that it behooves us to do every day, not once a year. Even once a week is better than nothing. People who like to complain a lot should count their blessings more frequently and stop annoying the rest of us.) In many families it is a tradition to join hands around the groaning board and let the food get cold while each person recites their reasons for being grateful. The animals in the family, in the meantime, are withholding their thanks until the post-meal clean-up, during which choice goodies might make an appearance on the floor or even in a food dish. Because frankly, the main thing pets are grateful for is food. And let's face it, while we're thankful to receive regular meals, we're far more grateful for your food than for that dull kibble you pass off on us day after day. (Subliminal message: Please ignore your vet when she says not to give us table scraps.) If we were invited to join you at the table, whether just for the holiday feast or on a regular basis, you can be sure we would give thanks for all the things you eat that "accidentally" land on the floor. However we (that is, cats) are also grateful for scratches behind ears and under chins, belly rubs, warm beds, catnip, sunny windowsills, and paper bags. We even like it when you talk to us in those silly, high-pitched voices, though you didn't hear that from me. Dogs, of course, are just grateful to be breathing (or, more likely, drooling, panting and slobbering), the pathetic things. However, it occurs to me that while many humans love and esteem their animal companions, not many of you actually see fit to mention how blessed you are to have those companions. So I'd like to remind those of you who do give thanks tomorrow not to forget the animal kingdom, whose members, after all, far outnumber the human realm, even if we always get the short end of the stick. I truly believe that if it weren't for animals, people would just not find life worth living. It's not just the so-called "domestic" animals that you should be thinking of, either, but I'll start there. For example, there's that turkey on the table. And the hamburger you had the other day. And the cat food you dish out every day, full of yummy poultry and lamb by-products. As a lifelong carnivore, I'm certainly not one to advocate vegetarianism, though I admit it is a lot easier on the cows, chickens and pigs of the world. However, one can be more mindful of where one's dinner comes from. SWSIMBADNFMOE (She Who Sleeps in My Bed and Does Not Feed Me Often Enough) buys what she somewhat facetiously refers to as "happy cow" and "happy chicken" â€” organic, free-range meat without hormones and the like. She is still looking for a source of "happy pig," and in the meantime occasionally overcomes her pangs of guilt to indulge in a Sunday morning feast of bacon. Even if you don't eat much meat, think of all the eggs, milk, butter and cheese that you consume. Unless you don't eat any of those either, in which case you might just skip down a paragraph or two . . . Where would you be without chickens and cows? Where would bakeries be? There's no such thing as a vegan croissant. Not to be too preachy, but it is also possible to purchase animal products that don't exploit the animal producers by cramming them into huge barns where they never see the light of day, are pumped full of hormones and antibiotics, and are dispatched as soon as their usefulness begins to wane. Well, perhaps just a little preachy. But humans have so many more reasons to be grateful for animals than just as a food source. Leather is important to many of you. Wool is a good thing. Down feathers still play a part in insulating you poor naked creatures from the bitter wind, though the advent of polar fleece has undoubtedly had an impact on that industry. Don't forget the humble silk worm (it seems to me more possible to get a silk purse out of a sow's ear than out of those nasty little cocoons, but there you go â€” one of the mysteries of the animal kingdom). In many parts of the world where gigantic heartless agri-businesses haven't destroyed the family farm, animal labor is essential to farmers who still use oxen, water buffalo, donkeys and camels to pull plows, run grindstones, and deliver goods to market. Of course, most farmers just use one of those animals, not all of them at once. The manure of these animals is a valuable resource, something I must admit I've never heard anyone say about dog and cat droppings. I should mention here that one of the things SWSIMBADNFMOE is not thankful for is the many pounds of cat litter that she hauls to the dump every week. Another reason that people should be thankful for animals is the documented benefit that living with pets has on human health. Many studies have shown that pets reduce the effects of stress (high blood pressure in particular), speed recovery from major illness or surgery, and relieve depression. I imagine that the same results can be seen in animals living with people, though that depends on how many small children also share the house. Visits by therapy animals can improve the outlook of nursing home residents and chronically ill hospital patients, while autistic children have made remarkable progress after contact with dogs, horses and even dolphins. Right here in Williamstown, there is an Equus Therapeutic program that helps disabled adults and children learn to ride, strengthening both their bodies and their confidence. Obviously, SWSIMBADNFMOE subscribes to the theory that animals improve one's quality of life, or she wouldn't have invited so many of us to join the household, including those foster cats that I keep trying to foist off on my readers (to no avail, I might add). But she's not anywhere as crazy as some of the people she's met, and for that I, for one, am most grateful. She told me about one woman who has 27 cats, all living indoors and many with complicated health problems. There but for the grace of God and local zoning ordinances . . . However, once when I was pointing out to her the many benefits of living with pets (cats in particular), she did start muttering about the effect on her blood pressure of dumping litter boxes, scooping poop in the backyard, stepping on dead moles in the garage, and waking in the middle of the night to the hacking up of hairballs. Honestly, some people just don't know when they've got a good thing going. Surely those are minor sacrifices in return for living with someone who is always excited to see you when you come home, no matter how often you leave and re-enter the house in a given day (admittedly, that would be the dog, not the kids or the cats). As for cats, the mere fact that we can purr and you can't should be reason enough to share your homes with us. (Emma Jane is a ladylike black and white cat who rules over a household consisting of four humans, one dog, two pet rats, two other permanent cats whom she tolerates, and an endless stream of foster cats whom she regards with distaste if not outright horror. She can be contacted c/o lisahiley@adelphia.net, especially if you would like to adopt a cat). EMMA JANE'S SHAMELESS PLUG OF THE MONTH Instead of buying your pet yet another little sweater or squeaky toy that will just get lost under the bed (and I don't know about your household, but when something goes under a bed in this place, no one has the courage to go in after it), give a donation to your local animal shelter. Both the Berkshire Humane Society in Pittsfield and the Second Chance Shelter in Shaftsbury appreciate financial support in any amount, as well as gifts of cleaning supplies, pet food (check to see what brand they use), old towels and blankets and other items. Volunteer time is also a valuable gift. Another gift idea that might appeal to people who are sick of the crass commercialism of Christmas (and everyone at least says they are, even if they secretly love seeing that big pile of stuff under the tree), consider giving an animal to a needy family. A gift through the Heifer Project can change lives by providing milk, eggs, wool and manure to desperately poor families around the world. Families who receive animals receive training in proper care and are expected to pass along their good fortune by giving the offspring to others. You can give an appropriate animal in honor of everyone in the family (though you might not want to the honoree why you chose to give a pig in their name. Although in defense of pigs, they are as smart as dogs, prefer clean living to being in a pigsty, and can make delightful pets. However, eating like a pig will always be a term of opprobrium.) But I digress. Check out www.heifer.org to find out about giving bees, chicks, ducks, rabbits or guinea pigs, goats, sheep, donkeys, llamas, oxen, even camels. You can give at any level, from $20 for a gift of chicks to $5,000 for an entire ark.

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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:57PM / Friday, December 19, 2025

The home prior to renovations.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.

The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.

The house is listed for $359,500.

We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieri and Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.

Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.) The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.

What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?

Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few. All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.

Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house. New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house. New paver patio in the back yard.

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.

Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.

Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?

Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.

Andrews: Built in about 1965.

What do the current owners love about this home?

Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.

Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

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