Grandkids are great!  I spent this morning in full blown Grandpa mode, having fun with my four grandkids from Wichita.  They are here because their mom (my daughter) was enjoying a banquet that was being held at UNL in honor of one of her best friends who had also graduated from UNL (neither of them could believe that they had been out of college this long.)  Following blueberry pancakes (which I am pretty good at making, if I may say so myself), we went to Oxbow to see the animals, and then to the Henry Doorly Zoo Wildlife Safari, which is just a few miles from Oxbow.  It is a sprawling collection of different animals and birds native to the Great Plains.  We were lucky to see every species that is claimed on the brochure, including bison, elk, deer, eagles, hawks, bobcats, wolves, bear, and numerous birds.  The kids had a great time and grandpa was pooped.

It has long been believed that animals offer health benefits to those who care for them.  Pets have been linked to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and less depression in their caretakers.  I recently read an article citing a study that showed children with Autism were more inclined to be social, smile, and practice eye contact when in the presence of animals.  Pretty powerful stuff.  

Having been in the pet industry for many years, I have firsthand experience with the power of the bond between animals and their caretakers.  My company’s customers are the best in the business for many reasons – foremost among them their commitment to the health and wellbeing of their pets.  When our customers’ animals hurt, they hurt.  When their animals suffer anxiety, so too do they.  For me, there’s no denying the bond between pet and pet parent.  It’s something I see every day.

At times, it’s easy to view the relationship between pet and caretaker as one-sided.  In reality, it’s symbiotic.  Just as we take care of our pets, they take care of us as well. 

Many visitors to Oxbow remark of how surprised they are that our business is a part of a working farm.  They don’t expect hay fields and other farm land to border the Oxbow campus on all sides.  These visitors are even more surprised when I explain the meaning behind the Oxbow name.  The name “Oxbow” pays homage to the Oxbow Trail – a passageway for settlers, miners, freighters and soldiers that passed not only through the Murdock area, but directly through our farm.  Wagon ruts from the original Oxbow travelers can still be seen on the farm.  They are a powerful reminder not only of our country’s history, but of the power of the human spirit and the sacrifices made in the name of a better life.

I think often of those who passed over the land my family has had the honor of stewarding for five generations.  In a way, each Oxbow product that enters the market honors the hopes, dreams, and sacrifices of these pioneers.  Working to live up to the Oxbow name and all of its symbolism is a tall order – one that helps me and everyone at my company be at our very best each day.