On Thanksgiving morning I was 900 miles from home. I had 2 out of three of my kids with me that morning as we were running last minute errands in preparation for the meal at someone else's family home. Being in a small city in the middle of Missouri- you'd think I couldn't get lost but I couldn't get my bearings to save my life.

So there I was, taking the exit past the one I needed and turning around- again. I ended up on a desolate industrial area of course no one was around because it was a holiday. And I saw this muddy scruffy dog I could see he had a collar but there were no houses near by and I suspect he was either lost had been dumped. Why Damn It?! At this point I couldn't have cared less what my original purpose was for being out I was determined to feed that poor thing.

My kids know my inability to turn away from any animal in need or not but my daughter got a horrified look on her face when I started following this stray dog in our van. She said mom are you going to try and catch him- what will you do with him? I said I don't think I can catch him but we're going to feed him if it takes all morning.

We eat no meat in my house, but a well meaning family member had given my youngest a slim jim the night before. It was in the console of my car and I knew this was the ticket to get this dog to come close enough to help him.

I opened the slim jim package and started waving it out of my van window as I was doing multiple u turns so I could keep up with this lost dog. The little one in the back thought it was fun and my daughter kept saying "Mom!" But my determination worked! He stopped which gave me time to get in the back of my van and grab whatever I could.

2 string cheese sticks, a peanut butter sandwich, and animal crackers and of course the slim jim.

I walked slowly not straight at him but in the same direction as he was and laid all of it on the ground.

The dog looked back at me as I walked away from my Thanksgiving Offering to him. He approached it with caution and took the meat stick and tossed it up in the air like a toy before he ate it. For a moment, at least in my mind he looked happy.

I drove away as he was still eating and I began to feel sad for him but then thought I must have gotten lost right here so I could feed him and that must have been the reason I didn't toss the meat stick out immediately the day before.

There is a reason for everything that happens, I hope everyday that I have the clarity I need to follow the path that is shown to me to help another. So often we just don't pay attention or worse we look away and miss an opportunity to right a wrong on a fellow being no matter how small the act, no matter what kind of living creature it is.

Friends – never underestimate the power of one act of kindness and compassion you may never hear the words of thanks but you will feel it in your heart.
Laura