Gratefulness & Alpacas

Gratefulness produces good things. When our neighbours saw Shirley and me trying to take photos of their alpacas from the street, they invited us to come inside the fence so we could get closer to these lovable creatures and get better pictures.

Alpacas are grateful creatures. Here are 13 favorite grateful quotes.
“A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.” -Cicero

Buttercup enjoys the attention. “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” –John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Meet Shogun, Buttercup, Rudy and Robbie. “Each day offers us the gift of being a special occasion if we can simply learn that as well as giving, it is blessed to receive with grace and a grateful heart.” –Sarah Ban Breathnach

Shirley pauses taking pictures to feed Rudy.
“When you are grateful fear disappears and abundance appears.” –Anthony Robbins

“Talent is God given. Be humble.
Fame is man-given. Be grateful.
Conceit is self-given. Be careful.” –John Wooden

“Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow.” –Edward Sandford Martin

“Silent gratitude isn't very much use to anyone.” –Gertrude Stein

“No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Jesus Christ.” –1 Thessalonians 5:18

"In our daily lives, we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but the gratefulness that makes us happy." –Albert Clarke, photographer

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." – William Arthur Ward, author and teacher

One fur face to another...
“Reflect each day on what you have to be thankful for, and you will receive more to be thankful for.” –Chuck Danes


Buttercup thought we said, "turn the other cheek." We just wanted her to turn around. You have no idea how hard we tried to get these four lovable creatures to pose for the perfect photo.
"If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness. It will change your life mightily." – Gerald Good

Rudy eating out of Gary's hand. “If the only prayer you said in your whole life was ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.” –Meister Eckhart

We wish to thank Gary and Diane Akey for allowing us to photograph their alpacas.

For more Thursday 13's go here.