It was about one in the morning and the house and outside was now quiet. Mia walked into the family room and sat down in front of Dukee.
“Wow, everyone was up late tonight, and what did Grandpa yell?” Mia asked.
“Happy New Year,” Dukee said.
“What does that mean?” Mia licked the top of her paw.
Dukee itched his neck with his back foot and then shook, “See, humans celebrate the end and the beginning of a year. So, every year at a certain time everyone yells happy new year.”
“Hmm, I don’t remember that from last year,” Mia looked at Dukee.
“Well, maybe they said it quieter last year, I don’t know. All I know is that humans reflect on the past year and make new plans for the new year. They try and appreciate what the past year brought them and hope for the best with the new one,” Dukee stood up.
“Oh, so we could do that too right? You know, make wishes for the new year?” Mia asked.
“Yes, we could. But you have to be thankful for what you have as well,” Dukee walked toward the front of the house.
Mia got up and followed him but then turned and walked around the leather sofa. Dukee looked out the narrow window by the front door, while Mia jumped up onto the coffee table. She stopped and got a drink of water when Dukee jumped up onto the side table. He walked to the end of it and then hopped down onto the top of Mia’s litter box cabinet. Then he jumped and pulled himself up to the top of the kitty tower.
Mia looked up at Dukee when she was done drinking, “Hey, I was going to go up there.”
“You can have it in a little while,” Dukee sat down and looked out the window.
Mia walked onto the window sill and looked out into the darkness, “I sure am happy that those booming noises stopped.”
“Yes, I agree. There were some really loud ones this time,” Dukee said.
“Yes, and a lot at one time. I was scared. I know that it happens a couple times a year but it’s still scary,” Mia said. “That’s one thing that I would like to wish for; no more loud noises.”
“I agree with you on that one,” Dukee looked down at Mia.
“I don’t know why humans have to have so many things that make a loud noise. Like that car that goes down the road every day. Auntie said that it even bothers her,” Dukee said.
Mia looked up at Dukee, “oh, I know which one you’re talking about. Yeah, it seems the loudest when it is about to stop and then when it goes again.”
“I don’t think that some humans realize or maybe even care that loud noises can have a bad affect on animals and even some humans,” Dukee said.
“Yeah, didn’t Auntie say that it can affect the mental health or something like that?” Mia asked.
“Yes, and I believe that too,” Dukee licked his front paw. “When you hear those loud booms, you said it’s scary. Feeling scared can affect your mental health. Right?” Dukee looked at Mia.
“Yes, I would think so… But what is mental health?” Mia asked.
“Mental health has to do with our brain. And if our brain is being affected by something good or bad, then that something can affect our mental health in a good or bad way,” Dukee explained.
“So, we want to keep a good mental health,” Mia looked up at Dukee.
“That’s right. But I know that it’s hard for some humans to understand that,” Dukee said.
“Well, I wish for Mom, and Auntie, and Grandpa, and everyone else to have a less stressful new year,” Mia said.
“That’s a good wish Mia… I wish that everyone finds joy and peace,” Dukee said.
“That’s good too,” Mia said.
Mia and Dukee sat there and reflected on the past year for a few minutes before they decided to head to bed. They both are thankful for having loving humans who do their best to take care of them. And they are thankful for you readers who have subscribed to follow their story. They also wanted to point out that the title of the story has changed but the characters are all the same. Happy New Year everyone.