Ginger Cat Appreciation Day

Meet Leo
Leo keeps us on our toes while being a sweet cuddle bug when he wants to…

Ginger Cat Appreciation Day brings a little love to ginger cats. Sometimes called marmalade cats or tiger cats, ginger cats are orange tabby cats. Tabby cats have striped, marbled, ticked, or spotted markings on their coats, and almost always have a marking in the shape of an M on their forehead. All orange cats are tabbies, but not all tabbies are orange. There are no solid orange or ginger cats. Ginger cats come in shades of orange, gold, and red. Most ginger cats are male, and both domestic or wild cats can be ginger cats.

While all ginger cats are honored today, one particular ginger cat, Doobert, is recognized today for his role in helping change animal transport. Chris Roy created a software platform that helps coordinate animal rescue relay transport, which is used by rescue organizations and volunteers, and named it after Doobert, his late ginger cat. Doobert is by no means the only ginger cat to have ever garnered a bit of attention. Milo of The Adventures of Milo and Otis fame, Garfield, Winston Churchill’s cat, JockJones from Alien, and Orangey, who starred in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, among other films, all have had their time in the spotlight. But whether famous or not, all ginger cats are celebrated today!

That is our Leo pictured. He looks like a lion cub and definitely has the heart of one. This baby fell down a wall from a space in the attic. His momma somehow broke in, and had her litter up there. All his siblings are jet black. We had to rescue him from behind the bedroom walls. Took us 3 days to find him, cut the wall open and eventually animal services was able to help recover him from the crawl space under the floor. Meet Leo on my YouTube channel!

While now he does not look it, he was rescued at two weeks old. Cold, starved and scared to death after his trip, it was touch and go for a while. Somewhere on his journey he must have consumed drywall or insulation that caused a bowel blockage. We had 3 vets tell us he just wouldn’t make it and we should let them euthanize him.. Today he lives happily chasing all our inside cats up the nearest wall and getting baths from them all.

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How to Observe Ginger Cat Appreciation Day

Some ways you could celebrate the day include:

  • If you have a ginger cat, show some extra appreciation for them. Give them more of your time, a new toy, or a special treat.
  • Show appreciation for someone else’s ginger cat.
  • Adopt a ginger cat.
  • Celebrate the legacy of Doobert by getting involved in animal rescue.
  • Watch a film with a ginger cat such as Breakfast at Tiffany’sThe Adventures of Milo and Otis, or Alien.
  • Read some Garfield comics.
  • Make sure to share on social media too…#GingerCatAppreciationDay
Adopt a shelter Pet
Adopt a shelter Pet

NATIONAL DOG MONTH

All during the month of August, National Dog Month celebrates our loveable canine pals smack in the middle of the dog days of summer. Dogs are the #1 most commonly owned pets on the planet, and with good reason. Did you know that scientific studies prove our pawsome companions make us happier, less stressed, and more optimistic? The list of benefits to spending time with a dog goes on and on, but it all proves one thing––that a month-long celebration of our furry best friends has been a long time coming.

Rosie is a rescue as is tiny Peanut. They are the best of friends.

Whether your dog burrows under the blankets with you at night, plays in the sprinkler, or alerts you to a health need, we know they are constantly improving our lives and making them more fun. Not only that, but the companionship and affection we share with them make their lives better, too. Dog lovers know
a life without dogs is a life missing something special, and that’s a fact worth celebrating.

NATIONAL DOG MONTH HISTORY

Milk-Bone brand (The J.M. Smucker Company) founded National Dog Month in 2020 to recognize all the ways dogs make our lives better.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalDogMonth

This is the easy part. Celebrate with your best pal. Take an extra-long walk. Play fetch or spare an extra Milk-Bone treat. Get your dog the toy he’s been wanting or visit the dog park. Speaking of visits, make your next veterinarian appointment to ensure your pet stays healthy and strong. Donate to your local shelter or to a larger dog nonprofit. You can also volunteer your services. Not only will the dogs appreciate the support, but so will their future human companions. However you celebrate, be sure to use #NationalDogMonth to post on social media.

Milk Bone
Milk Bone

NATIONAL MUTT DAY

National Mutt Day encourages us to embrace, save and celebrate mixed breed dogs twice a year on July 31st and December 2nd.

Desperately longing for a new home, millions of loving and healthy mixed breed dogs in shelters wait for someone to come and adopt them. National Mutt Day provides an excellent opportunity to find the perfect canine companion. Despite the name, a mutt learns, obeys and trains much like purebred animals. While their lineage cannot be traced and their features a bit murky, their companionship will be faithful.  

According to the ASPCA, approximately 3.3 million dogs enter shelters every year. When these abandoned and often abused animals find their way to a shelter, each one needs a forever home. Whether you know it or not, their potential is limitless. Some of the benefits of adoption are often hidden. Human and canine both enjoy increased physical activity.  Another boost is social interaction through daily walks. While humans develop patience, their four-legged companion learns to trust and new limits. For example, as dogs explore the many scents of the human lifestyle,  they usually discover shoes are off-limits. 

No matter the breed, size or demeanor of the human, er, canine, the shelter will take the time to find the right home for their animals. They schedule visits and have procedures in place to promote healthy adoptions for families and individuals. While some dogs experience injury or illness, the shelters work with veterinarians to heal the animals before making them available for adoption.

Of course, shelters always welcome donations and volunteers. Dogs love walking, playing and being loved even if they haven’t found their forever home. Every moment they spend socializing increases their opportunity for adoption.

NATIONAL MUTT DAY HISTORY

Celebrity Pet Expert and Animal Welfare Advocate, Colleen Paige, founded National Mutt Day in 2005.  Celebrate the day on both December 2 and July 31 of each year. Learn more at http://www.nationalmuttday.com.

Love Animals…

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalMuttDay

Visit a shelter; if you are unable to adopt a dog, you can always volunteer. Post on social media using #NationalMuttDay and encourage others to join in.

Customer Favorites: Pets
Customer Favorites: Pets

NATIONAL I LOVE HORSES DAY

On July 15th we recognize the love of one magnificent creature on National I Love Horses Day!

With over 200 breeds, these spirited animals give humans much to love. Their loyalty and devotion throughout history may only be a fraction of the reasons to love them. Not just a means of transportation, horses cleared fields, fought wars, and moved cattle. Beyond their utility, their companionship was indispensable on long lonely trails. Cattlemen, pioneers, and more recognize horses as cornerstones of survival in a burgeoning nation.

Horse Breeds

The tallest horse breed is the Shire. The stallions of this draft horse breed tower at 17 hands above the tiny Falabella, which grows to only eight hands and is the smallest breed of horse.

The phrase “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth,” is a reminder to be grateful for the gifts, opportunities or kind gestures that come our way. The phrase comes from inspecting a horse’s teeth to determine its health and value. If the horse was a gift, such an inspection would be considered an insult.

The quarter horse, named for its speed on a short track, is one the of three fastest breeds of horses. Thoroughbreds follow quarter horses for longer distance, but Arabians outlast both breeds for endurance on the longest races.

Horse Facts

A horse can see almost 360° at once. Because of this, it’s difficult to sneak up on a horse. Their only blind spots are directly behind them and in front. However, don’t approach a horse from behind; their powerful hind legs can do serious damage if they decide to defend themselves with a kick. Because horses have such an excellent range of vision, they can be easily distracted or startled. Trainers will place blinders or blinkers on their harness to block the horse’s view from the side. The small piece of leather helps the horse to focus their vision forward.

Just like human hair and fingernails, a horse’s hooves are made of the same protein – keratin. Farriers specialize in caring for horses’ hooves. They not only fit horses with shoes, but they trim their hooves and make recommendations for hoof care and foot health. Since horses spend an enormous amount of time on their feet, the care a farrier provides is instrumental to their overall health.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalILoveHorsesDay

Celebrate by visiting a local stable for a horseback ride. Seek a view of wild horses in a national park. Spend time riding your own horse if you have one.

Post on social media using #NationalILoveHorsesDay.

NATIONAL ADOPT A SHELTER PET DAY

Each year, on April 30th raises awareness for thousands of pets that are waiting for (and needing) adoption from the shelters.

Animal shelters require year-round assistance and adoption is a part of the process. Since animals come in daily, the shelters must work quickly to ensure the animal’s health and well being. Only then can they be adopted into their forever home. The day also encourages you to visit a shelter near you and find your new fur baby. Visit with the shelter to consider all the needs the dog or cat requires for the long term.

If you feel you can’t meet those needs, consider helping in other ways. Give your time by volunteering. Not only will this help the shelter by providing the animals with exercise, companionship, and socialization, but it also gives you that wonderful animal love we all so enjoy.

You can also check the shelter’s donation needs list. Bring the items you are able to give. This will help the shelter animals find their forever homes more quickly.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #AdoptAShelterPet

Visit a shelter today and consider adopting. Also, remember to spay and neuter your fur babies. It helps reduce the number of unwanted pets in the population. Recent studies are showing we are making progress. Keep up the good work! For more information on adoption, visit the Humane Society or your local shelter. 

Celebrate the day by sharing pictures of your adopted pet on social media using #AdoptAShelterPetDay.