Why We Are Starting With Gratitude in Our 2024 Planning

Annual planning has a refreshing perspective that allows us to tap into our inner dreamer. With a blank slate, we give ourselves permission to prioritize creativity, possibility, and positive change.

We are looking back at 2023 and shining the light on what motivated us and what we are grateful for. When we intentionally protect and expand on what we cherish in the new year, we can find more fulfillment and motivation in our work.

 

Our 2023 Gratitudes

Our Customers

You contribute to this community just by being a valuable part of it. Every time you share your story with us, tell a friend about your experience, make a purchase, or give us valuable feedback, we appreciate it. You inspire us, remind us what matters, and help us improve. Cheers to a new year ❤

Thank YOU for:

  • Sharing your personal stories with us
  • Teaching us what would improve your experience and showing us how to better serve you
  • Supporting our small team of artists, leaders, contractors, and entrepreneurs with your hard-earned dollars
  • Telling friends and family about us in the hopes they enjoy our service too
  • Making a donation to our charity partners through your purchase with us

 

Our Team

You are the driving force behind our progress, growth, and transformation. Your commitment to learning and self-improvement enables us to innovate and deliver our best work. We can't wait to see what you achieve in the new year! 🎉

Thank YOU for:

  • Learning with us
  • Trying and failing
  • Trying and succeeding
  • Leaning into your strengths and acknowledging growth areas
  • Sharing honest feedback
  • Facing challenges head on
  • Supporting each other
  • Growing and changing
  • Leading

 

Our Coaches & Brand Partners

 

Your expertise and objective perspective provide valuable insights that help us grow. Your reassurance and belief in us helps us to see the possibilities, not just the roadblocks. We can't wait to see who we become as we continue to grow and change with your support.

Thank YOU for:

  • Learning with us
  • Analyzing and evaluating thoughtfully
  • Being honest and transparent
  • Giving us tough feedback
  • Believing in what we are building
  • Contributing your expertise
  • Trying and failing
  • Trying and succeeding 

Our Charity Partners

 

Your kindness and care for animals in need inspires us. Your effort and dedication brings our community together for a cause we all believe in.

Thank YOU for:

  • Sharing information to involve more people in the effort
  • Giving dogs a second chance to find family, love, and safety

 

Why We Start With Gratitude

Planning tends to be based on two starting positions. We can focus on our obstacles or our dream. When we start with a plan based on avoiding an obstacle, we often limit our options and unconsciously drive towards the very thing we are trying to avoid. When we start with a plan based on where we want to go, we can stay inspired despite challenges. We see possibility. We allow for space to make mistakes.

Planning Based on Obstacles: 

“Last year, we didn’t… This year, we will finally achieve…” followed by a flurry of to-do lists, calendar invites, goals, and check-ins. 

And we often get a TON done. We plow through to-dos, leaving a whirlwind of completed tasks behind us. While checking off boxes is incredibly satisfying, we often get to the end of the month and feel befuddled about what we actually accomplished. What was it all working towards?

 

Planning Based on Gratitude:

“Last year we learned… This year we want to improve…” followed by loads of questions, reflection, analysis, and finally, planning.

This form of planning often takes longer and is more ambiguous. It starts with a reflection of where we have been, then considers where we want to go, and finally concludes with a plan detailing how to get from here to there.

 

We’re Choosing Gratitude:

2023 was the most challenging year for our small business since being founded in 2018. As we head into 2024, we have a choice. We can berate ourselves for what we “should” have accomplished and stay in fear of the headwinds we face, or we can celebrate all the joys, accomplishments, and fulfillment this work brings us and continue to drive towards the dream. We are choosing the latter.

Back to blog

August

  • Petty- August Pet of the Month

    Petty is a 5 year old border collie/lab mix - though around here he prefers the title of purebred good boy. Named after the music legend Tom Petty, he’s happiest when he’s swimming in the lake or going on long trail walks, he even counts a trip to the vet as a good time. His quirks? He’s adorably suspicious of small kitchen appliances - but that just makes him all the more lovable! 

  • Atlas & Laya

    Laya the corgi and Atlas the snowshoe are the fluffiest odd couple around. She’s all wiggles and zoomies; he’s cool, calm, and slightly dramatic. But somehow, they’re inseparable—chasing toys, lounging in the backyard, and taking synchronized naps like pros. Their friendship may be unlikely, but it’s 100% adorable.

  • Jack

    Jack is a 17 year old rescue. I call him my mystery man because not even the vet really knows what he is. He has slothy long legs and loves to swim. He even has his own pool floaty to float around on. His favorite things are walking around like he owns the place, no matter where he is, barking at his arch nemesis mr. bunny from the window, watermelon, sugar snap peas, hot dogs and being demanding at all times. He loves to go on adventures and I carry him in a backpack when we go hiking or he gets pushed in a stroller for long walks. And he's the sweetest most perfect boy.

  • Ada

    • Ada lives with a new 4 month old sibling and loves to be involved. She's always making sure to bring the baby pacifiers, toys, and bottles that she finds around the house. We'd prefer it if she didn't, but she's just being helpful! 
    • Ada is named after Ada Lovelace, the first (!!) computer programmer.
    • Her favorite hobbies are playing fetch and swimming... preferably being done simultaneously.

  • Luna

    Luna is OBSESSED with tennis balls. There’s always at least one close and the other one is probably in her mouth. Even when her human brother was born, she would take him her tennis ball to throw. Two years later, he’s now big enough to throw it for her.

July

  • Binx- July Pet of the Month

    A fun fact about her is that she loves watermelon and she can be sassy but loving when she feels like it! She loves playing fetch with her dad  and she’s being featured on our wedding cake in September! 

  • Howard & Harold

    The boys are true brothers. They love daily walkies, cheese, and tickles 

  • River

    River is an 8 year old Portuguese Water Dog who loves bananas and walkies. He has a dog brother, Fynn, and they are preparing for their first human sister to arrive in October! Unsurprisingly, baby girl's nursery is going to be River & Fynn themed!

  • Napoleon

    Napoleon is not only a Certified Goober, but also the King of all he surveys. He uses his good looks and sassy personality to win over everyone he meets.

  • Kingston

    Kingston was the best, good boy! He loved ice cubes & cheese. He also loved to just lay outside on the deck and watch the world go by. When he wasn’t getting enough attention, he would nudge your hand with his nose for some love💙

June

  • Oscar- June Pet of the Month

    Oscar was a rescue dog who was found walking on the road with a can stuck on his head as just a 3 month old puppy desperately searching for food. Luckily he walked out of the bush in the right time to get help. He was a very shy scared boy to start but turned into the most loving, cuddly boy! Him being part husky made him have a mind of his own which kept us on our toes but he was always so grateful of life right up until the day he succumbed to cancer in June 2025. We miss his large presence in the house so much🤍

  • Zeppelin

    Zeppelin made us a family of 3 when we adopted him on our 1 week wedding anniversary. As soon as we held him, we knew he was our boy and have watched him grow from a little guy we could cradle in our arms to a big boy we struggle to carry in a few short months. Zeppelin is a sweet puppy who wants to befriend every person and dog he meets. He loves playing, spending time with our neighbors, playing, "swimming" and sunning himself on the grass, playing, figuring out how to open doors and gates, playing, and his daycare friends. 

  • Tarka

    Tarka is a fruit bat. She loves nothing more than chomping on a watermelon,stealing a slice of orange , or enjoy her 10am 🍐 pear a day!  She sheds, she licks (a lot!), but she loves her pack beyond measure.

    Follow her on insta - tarkanaylorjames

  • Goldy & Keaton

May

  • Winston- May Pet of the Month

    At just 2 years old Winston is the pride and joy of his forever family! He loves walkies, going to daycare, belly scratches and most of all his Grandma! He is the happiest boy in the world and his mom’s best friend!

  • Charlie

    We adopted Charlie from the humane society 8 years ago. He was found on the side of the road and we like to joke that his few weeks scrounging on the street permanently altered his personality. All this boy wants to do is EAT. His life goal is to steal food despite being more than well fed. His favorite foods to steal include avocado, corn, brussel sprouts, and butter. His dislikes include citrus foods and the vet, despite his dad being a veterinarian. 

  • Hank, Duke, & Stella

    The three best friends that anyone could have! Stella, was adopted from Proverbs 12:10 rescue almost six years ago and has been the queen of the castle ever since. We met Duke five years ago at Wags and Walks Nashville and knew in an instant he was meant to be our boy. After a couple years as just a family of four, we thought fostering with Wags and Walks Nashville would be a great way to continue helping rescue pups. Hank came to us as a scrawny, 10 week old puppy with rickets, and after fostering him for a month, we knew he had already found his home. They each have their own special personality and have added so much love to our home!

  • Gloria

    Gloria was the sweetest mastiff on the planet. Her favorite activity was snuggling on the couch or sunbathing in a sunny spot on the floor. We lost her almost 6 months ago and while life will never be the same without her, we know we’re so lucky to have rescued her and be the ones she chose to cuddle with everyday 

  • Paco

    Paco is a rescue from the San Diego Humane Society and has been living with his forever family for the past 7 years. He enjoys his nap time, loves to sunbathe, and makes his bed for his comfort. 

April

  • Shadow- April Pet of the Month

    Shadow’s smile always touched so many hearts, no matter where he went. I felt his light in his eyes and I still feel his light three months after his passing as I look at this picture. He was truly a once in a lifetime dog 

  • Lulu

    Lulu is a 5 year old Calico. She lives in the concrete jungle, but still manages to practice her bird watching skills daily from her scratcher pole perch. Lulu loves cardboard boxes and paper bags (specifically Trader Joe's). When it's nice out, her mom and dad take her to the park in her backpack and she enjoys watching her squirrel friends. She also looks forward to cookie scavenger hunts around the apartment when mom leaves for work. She is known as the Queen of Queens, NY and rightfully so!

  • Willow

    Willow is a 1.5y old Golden with a huge personality. Some of her favorite activities are playing with her friends, splashing in the pool, and, of course, eating! She is a big goofball - she loves to play tricks on her parents, and one of her favorite games is hide and seek. That being said, she is also a big sweetheart - she always shares her toys (and snacks!) with her friends (both human and dog), and snuggles with her mom every morning. 

  • Star

    Star was loyal and passionate about her people but won the hearts of strangers as well. The perfect ambassador for the breed. Her stoic beauty and silly antics were the perfect yin and yang. Star recently passed due to old age and we can’t think of a better way to pay tribute to her than to share her Perkie Print with the world.

  • Daisy

    Daisy is a 4 month old mini bernedoodle living her best life in Montana. She is a spunky and lovable little lady just doing her best to keep up with her big brothers learning to be an expert hiker.