Every day begins with a ritual that rivals the feats of Hercules: walking my mighty 10-pound Shih Tzu, Otis. It's a journey filled with absurdity, unexpected challenges, and enough comedic relief to rival a sitcom. Join me as I recount the epic saga of walking Otis, a tale where the smallest of dogs proves that size is merely a number. Firstly, let me introduce you to Otis. Despite his regal name, he possesses all the majesty of a fuzzy potato. His fluffy coat and oversized eyes make him look perpetually surprised, as if he's just realized he's a dog and not a particularly fluffy pillow. But don't be deceived by his diminutive stature. Otis has the heart of a lion, or at least the bark of one. Our adventure typically begins with the elaborate ritual of preparing for the great outdoors. Otis insists on inspecting his leash as if it's a medieval knight inspecting his sword before battle. Once satisfied that the leash meets his high standards (or at least doesn't s...

Thanksgiving may get the headlines, but the night before might just hold the real secret to belonging. According to author Amy Lively, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is one of America’s top five days for pizza deliveries. Families are traveling, kitchens are busy, and people everywhere are taking the night off from cooking. So why not turn that moment into something meaningful? This year, instead of quietly grabbing your pizza and retreating inside, call it what it could be: Friendsgiving. Invite a neighbor to join you. Share a meal—simple or elaborate—and turn an ordinary evening into something extraordinary. Friendsgiving doesn’t need to mimic the traditional Thanksgiving spread. It can be as casual as a stack of paper plates or as formal as your grandmother’s china. Millennials popularized it because it’s low-key, low-pressure, and refreshingly free of the travel logistics and family tensions that often accompany the holiday season. But at its core, Friendsgiving is for everyo...