Do you have any idea what the percentage is of people who buy gifts for their pets for Christmas? Surveys say that 89% of people will spend an average of $100 on their pets for Christmas, isn’t that incredible! That just goes to show you just how much our animals mean to us. And I of all people can certainly understand why. Our animals are the only family members in our lives who don’t judge us, who we don’t have to try to please or dance around conversations with. That just is who they are, drool, dirt, fur, and all, and they adore us without question, and how can we even deserve that? So it’s no wonder for all they do for us, that we want to make their lives better, in return.

I remember after my heart horse, a 17 hand Thoroughbred that I rescued off the racetrack named Taxi, nearly died after a colic surgery. He was in the hospital at Colorado State University, and he was not getting better. He was getting these cyclic fevers that would get higher and higher, no matter how many antibiotics he received or painful abdominal flushes they performed on him. I could see the look of defeat in the specialist's eyes as they avoided my gaze because they didn’t know what else to do for him. And then someone suggested acupuncture. And he got his first acupuncture treatment, his fever broke, and he left the hospital the next day. After that, I was 100% convinced of the power of acupuncture. I am grateful to have learned how to use this amazing tool and have such great success with it throughout my career.

I don’t know about you, but for me it is hard for me to believe that another year is winding down, am I right? It’s been such a whirlwind of constant activity, I still feel like I am going full steam ahead, and suddenly, Christmas and the end of the year are approaching. How did that happen?

When I look back at my calendar I can see why the time seems to have flown by so quickly. We had so many events, and so many happenings this year. Some of which include volunteering at the Stock Show in January, volunteering at the high school and the Chamber of Commerce, attending continuing education events, having a successful birthday party for our baby Mustang fillies, having board meetings for the ResqRanch and inviting new members, my oldest daughter graduating from high school and sending her off to college, having a booth at the Evergreen Rodeo and then having a Summer Solstice event at the ranch, rerecording my entire Horse Training Masterclass which when I originally did it took me about 3 hours, and this time it took me three days, the Koi Show, finding a new videographer and making new videos, Riley’s Petstore annual event, applying for the Pitch Perfect non-profit event, the annual Women in Business luncheon (to which I had the pleasure of taking Chelsea, or new fantastic General Manager for Aspen Park Vet Hospital), our Breeder’s Cup Fundraiser at the racetrack,

multiple appearances on Great Day Colorado, and last but not least our Pet Pictures with Santa event. I am deeply grateful to my team, and all of the people who helped with, and attended our events this year.

I hope you too take a moment to reflect on the past few months, what you have done, what you wish you would have done, and what you hope to get done next year. It is not always easy with our busy lives to take a moment and just reflect, however, I would encourage you to do so, no matter how silly it might seem. I remember that every Christmas after Taxi was released from the hospital, I would put a ribbon around his neck, and take pictures of him, just to remind myself to cherish the fact he was still with me. And I am glad I did, and I hope you do the same, because we never know how many more of these special days we will get to have. Thank you again, for your support of us throughout the year, and I look forward to helping you have the most amazing, healthy, and long relationship with all of the animals in your life in 2026 and for many years to come.

Have a very, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, full of love, friendship and hope for the future. Blessing to you all!
  --- DrQ and the Crew of Aspen Park Vet Hospital and the ResqRanch


Check out my YouTube channel for a daily "Good Morning!" from the rescues and lots of free tips and training resources. https://www.youtube.com/@the1drq