Last Easter, I bought my first dog, a spunky little Schnoodlehuahua (Schnauzer + Poodle + Chihuahua) puppy we named Persie. Since then, I’ve been playing it by ear. My family never really had pets, so I’m learning all the lessons of pet ownership all at once. (Lesson #1: Don’t leave your lunch out or it will DISAPPEAR. Lesson #2: Anything with stuffing inside it will be immediately destroyed.) I had no clue where to turn when it was time to fly to Florida for a weeklong family vacation. None of my friends could take in a rambunctious puppy, and I didn’t know what to look for in a boarding …

What am I thankful for? My health, first of all. A year ago, I was evacuated from the teeny-tiny country of Moldova with a long list of strange health problems. Now, after a lot of work with my team of doctors, a personal trainer, my friend and my family, I obtained a diagnosis of Crohn's disease and I'm working to bring my disease under control. There's nothing like a health problem to teach you how precious health really is. I'm also greatful for my puppy, Persie. (See the picture??) She's my first dog ever, and I'm still learning how to manage all her energy. But I love her, and I'm glad …