My wishes, not resolutions, for the new year

The older I get, the more I know I won't keep a resolution. I have resolved each new year to do certain things and never last more than a week or two. So I will list my wishes this January 1 instead of resolutions I won't keep.

I do not believe 2011 was a good year for many people including me. I had many disappointments and discouragements. I continue to view the glass as 1/2 full and try to reconcile that with the people whose glass is always 1/2 empty.

To all those with that proverbial 1/2 empty glass. I wish for you a change in attitude. Be thankful for those you have around you, including your children and pets. Be thankful if you are reading this, you probably have a roof over your head and food in the fridge. There are many who are not as lucky. One of my wishes is to get a grip on the homelessness which has inundated every corner of our country and includes many women and children, which I believe should not happen in this United States.

I wish we could eliminate the negative, political outbursts which do nothing but bring our country down a little further. What happened to discussion and discourse? That is what we were founded on. Our founding fathers disagreed more than they agreed but I don't believe they went about name calling and trashing the other side.

I wish those who preach hate, would have an epiphany about the other side. Hate never solved anything. It simply intensifies feelings until they expode, normally not to the good.

I wish ALL backyard breeders and puppy mills could be put out of business.

I wish ALL homeless pet could find that forever human. Someone to love and cherish them as they deserve to be loved and cherished.

I wish EVERYONE who disparages any breed of dog, but especially pitbulls and rottweilers, could spend a day with one of those breeds. Take them for a walk and play catch. Snuggle on the couch and watch "The Dog Whisperer." Visit a training class and see them interact with other pets.

I wish health and happiness for everyone I love and care about. We still have a long way to go, but we're getting there. One day at a time.