Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day on August 28th sets aside a day to remember the pet companions we’ve lost.
The death of a pet, whether furry, feathered, or an uncommon variety, is felt deeply. They become family and a familiar part of our lives. Mourning their death is different for everyone, and the observance provides a way to help heal the ache of loss.
The pain of loss is real. As each person travels through their grief, we remember the companionship and comfort they provided to us. Don’t forget that part of the relationship included care provided by you. The empty space left by the loss of a beloved pet is sometimes a difficult void to overcome.
Celebrate the home you provided and the joy your beloved pet brought you in return. When you are ready, you will know the time has arrived to find a new ‘critter’ to replace the emptiness felt. There are many animals yet to find a home. In time, you can be their new home.
In our case we turn our sights to helping other animals. Wylie was one of our first rescues. We have branched out to help fulfill a need. While we do bring those in need of the most care inside, we either find them loving forever homes or we are their fur-ever home.
We have also created and care for community cats on our property. On average we see between 10 and 30 feral daily. We supply food, water, warm shelters in winter and try to make our porch a safe haven for these forgotten babies that never asked to be born. We work with our county shelter for TNR services. We educate our neighbors and encourage them to get involved as well. As we live just beyond urban areas we get a lot of dumped pets. Several of our regulars were someone’s pet. We have an Amazon list that helps provide food to these in need cats. So we pay it forward to each new cat we help. AMAZON LIST
RAINBOW BRIDGE REMEMBRANCE DAY HISTORY
Deborah Barnes founded Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day in honor of her cat, Mr. Jazz. Cats are fascinating and lovable, little friends to have around the home. We miss them when they leave us. Truthfully, it’s the same with any pet.
HOW TO OBSERVE #RainbowBridgeRemembranceDay
Take time to enjoy memories of your pet. Look through pictures. Consider a visit to an animal shelter if you feel ready. Volunteering time may help the adjustment. Use #RainbowBridgeRemembranceDay to share on social media.
Mark your calendars: Father’s Day 2026 falls on Sunday, June 21st. While Mother’s Day had an earlier official start, the journey to honor dads is a fascinating story of determination, love, and a little bit of stubbornness. The modern celebration owes its existence to Sonora Smart Dodd, who was raised by a single father in Washington state. After hearing a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909, she argued that fathers deserved equal recognition. The first official Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, but it took decades—and a push from President Richard Nixon—to finally make it a permanent national holiday in 1972. Unlike the flowers and frills of May, Father’s Day was born from a quiet, rugged appreciation for the men who show up every single day.
The Qualities That Define Great Fathers What makes a dad truly memorable? While every father is unique, certain timeless qualities rise to the top. First is steadfastness—the ability to be a calm anchor in a stormy world. Great fathers also embody selflessness, often putting their family’s needs quietly ahead of their own, from working late shifts to giving up the last slice of pizza. Another key trait is guidance, not through lectures, but through showing integrity, resilience, and humor in everyday life. Finally, the best dads offer unconditional support; they are the ones in the bleachers, at the graduation, or on the other end of the phone at 2 AM. These qualities don’t require perfection—just presence.
The 14th is the third Sunday in June 2026, plan a full day for something special. Start with a classic breakfast in bed (or at the kitchen table) featuring his favorites—bacon, pancakes, and strong coffee. Because 2026 is also a World Cup year (the tournament runs through mid-July), consider planning an afternoon viewing party for a match, complete with his preferred snacks and a cold drink. If sports aren’t his thing, organize a no-fuss BBQ or backyard fire pit where the whole family can gather. The key is to remove stress: handle the cooking, cleanup, and logistics so he can simply relax and enjoy the company.
Meaningful Gifts That Go Beyond Another Tie This year, think about gifts that align with his hobbies or create future memories. For the handyman dad, a customized tool organizer or a high-quality multi-tool is both practical and thoughtful. For the foodie father, a subscription to a gourmet spice or hot sauce club keeps giving long after June 14th. However, the most impactful gifts are often experiences: book a half-day fishing trip, buy tickets to a local car show, or simply give a handwritten letter detailing your favorite memories together. Research shows that experiential gifts and personal notes are remembered far longer than any store-bought gadget.
Don’t Forget the Long-Distance Dad If you can’t be there in person on June 14, 2026, technology makes distance feel smaller. Schedule a coordinated video call where everyone logs in at the same time for a virtual toast. Consider using a meal delivery service to send his favorite restaurant dinner right to his door, then eat “together” over video. Another creative idea is a digital photo frame you can update remotely with new family pictures throughout the day. Even a simple, well-timed text or voice memo saying “I was thinking of you” can mean the world to a dad who misses you.
Final Thoughts: Celebrating the Everyday Hero Father’s Day isn’t about grand gestures or expensive presents. It’s about pausing to recognize the man who taught you how to ride a bike, fix a leaky faucet, or laugh at your own mistakes. As you prepare for June 14, 2026, remember that the best celebration mirrors the best fathers: genuine, warm, and a little bit playful. Whether you’re grilling burgers, watching a soccer match, or simply sitting on the porch together, your attention and gratitude are the real gifts. So go ahead—mark your calendar, pick up the phone, and tell him exactly why he matters. He’s earned it.
Share your favorite memory, pictures and more to social media. Use #Father’sDay to show how much you appreciate him to the world.
Always observed on May 11th, National Twilight Zone Day features mysterious twists and turns highlighted with eerie background music and unexplainable occurrences.
Have you ever had one of Those days? You know if you can conceive of it, and sometimes not, it happens? You encounter weird stuff, requests, people, animals, or situations.
Adjusting your television doesn’t help. You really feel like you stepped into Rod Sterlings Twilight Zone? Now if these things only lasted as long as an episode…
The television show The Twilight Zone was created, written and narrated by Rod Serling. It premiered on October 1, 1959. The episodes were wildly popular, stretched the imagination, and captivated viewers. The show aired from 1959-1964.
Declared by Congress in 1999, May was selected National Military Appreciation Month as a month-long observance honoring the sacrifices of the United States Armed Forces. There are more military related observances during the month of May than any other month, so it is an appropriate time to celebrate the men and women in uniform.
Our American Military and their families sacrifice to keep our freedoms both at home and around the world. Those who served and who do so now deserve the greatest respect and admiration from all of us whom enjoy the freedoms we know today.
It is a month to honor those who are serving and those who have served.
Be sure to honor all our military by exploring more throughout the year too.
On March 18th, National Supreme Sacrifice Day honors those who have made tremendous sacrifices for the sake and the good of others as well as those who sacrifice their lives every day for us.
We may most readily call to mind the men and women in uniform who have laid down their lives protecting their country and communities. This day also honors those who may have stepped forward during times of crisis to rescue a stranger or a neighbor and gave the supreme sacrifice that day.
These sacrifices come in many forms. We don’t always recognize them when we see them, nor do we always expect them. Like in the case of one young Miner who saved the lives of 11-year-old Emmet and 8-year-old Myrdith when the sleigh they were in overturned during a blizzard so fierce they couldn’t see their house, though they were only 200 yards away. Wind howling so loudly, they couldn’t hear their father’s voice calling to them. On March 15, 1920, they’d set home from school in rural North Dakota and been caught up in the blizzard. Their 16-year-old sister, Hazel Miner protected her siblings with her body, keeping the blankets in place over her siblings through the night. Hazel Miner died that night, but her actions saved the lives of her siblings.
These sacrifices don’t always come in uniform and are often unsung. Often, these heroes step up when we least expect it and when we need it most.
HOW TO OBSERVE #SupremeSacrificeDay
Honor someone who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Visit with their families, support them and the people in uniform who place their lives on the line, daily. Visit a local memorial and learn the names of local heroes. Participate in events around your state that support the military and first responders. Use #SupremeSacrificeDay to post on social media.
