NATIONAL WILDLIFE DAY

National Wildlife Day on September 4th encourages improved awareness of the species around us and in the broader world. 

This National Day focuses on endangered species, preservation, and conservation efforts around the world. Zoos, aviaries and marine sanctuaries provide a variety of ways to get involved.

No matter where you live, opportunities abound to learn and participate in the day. Wildlife doesn’t only exist in the forest or outside the city limits. Look closely. The creatures and animals sharing our world live under our feet and in the sky above us. Our rivers, lakes and oceans are teeming with wildlife of all sizes. It’s essential to understand how we impact the habitats that animals need to survive. Their homes supply their food and shelter.

Around the world, facilities and organizations will present seminars and educational programs. Additionally, podcasts and documentaries alert us to the changing conditions for various species around the world.  Some may be as close as your own back yard. From the sky to the depths of the ocean, wildlife surrounds us.

Since wildlife relies on a stable habitat, understanding conservation and preservation is important. Developing strategies helps to maintain existing habitats and repair or replace those that have been destroyed. These strategies are especially important when a decline in a species is detected. For example, each year in August, International Whale Shark Day brings attention to the plight of the world’s largest fish. Despite efforts, the gentle giant continues to decline in numbers.   

NATIONAL WILDLIFE DAY HISTORY

Colleen Paige, the Pet Lifestyle Expert, and author founded National Wildlife Day in 2005. She created the day in honor of and later in memory of wildlife conservationist Steve Irwin. The global awareness day brings education to the public concerning the number of endangered animals and the need for conservation and preservation. 

If we can teach people about wildlife, they will be touched. Share my wildlife with me. Because humans want to save things that they love. – Steve Irwin

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalWildlifeDay

Participate in a presentation. Volunteer to fund-raise for rehabilitation services. Other ways to celebrate the day include:

  • Learn about the needs of endangered species and how conservation efforts work.
  • While learning, implement your own techniques, as suggested by preservationists.
  • Go on a wildlife walk and learn about the inhabitants near you. Visit the National Wildlife Federation to learn more. 

Use #NationalWildlifeDay to post on social media. Share photos of your neighborhood wildlife or even those farther from home. 

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.

Explore More…

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 OYSTER DAY

Get slurping on August 5th with National Oyster Day! Oysters are enjoyed as a seafood in many parts of the world.

Did you know there are over 100 different species of oysters?  Interestingly, oysters tend to take on the characteristics of the water in which they live. Because of this, they’re typically named after the body of water in which they grow.

While many people enjoy fresh oysters raw, the shellfish can also be savored in multiple other ways. As a side dish, oysters add immense flavor to Thanksgiving dressing. They also make delicious stews, soups, and chowders. Other recipes will bake, grill or broil the oysters with or without the shell.

These mollusks provide valuable nutrients whether eaten cooked or raw. Since oysters supply a high amount of vitamins B12 and A, they may benefit heart, skin, and brain health. These vitamins also support lung and kidney function. Additionally, oysters benefit the environment since their valves are capable of cleansing an ecosystem of pollutants.

Here are some other exciting oyster facts:

  • The Chesapeake Bay produces more oysters in the world than any other body of water. 
  • The world loves oysters! We consume almost two billion pounds of oysters each year around the world.
  • Illustrating how the body of water influences the flavor of the oysters, the east and west coast U.S. oysters taste very different from each other. On the east coast, oysters tend to be smaller, milder and saltier. However, west coast oysters take on a creamy texture and a sweet flavor.  
  • Only one out of every 10,000 oysters will produce a pearl.

Want more seafood delicacies try some of these…National Seafood Month, National Fried Scallops Day, National Shrimp Day, National Baked Scallops Day, National Crab Meat Day, Clams on the Half Shell Day, National Shrimp Scampi Day, National Lobster Day, National Go Fishing Day, National Catfish Day, National Catfish Month, National Caviar Day, French Fried Shrimp  Day,  National Oyster Day, Oysters Rockefeller Day,  National Seafood Bisque Day, Lobster Newburgh Day, National Deep Fried Clams Day, Crab Stuffed Flounder Day, National Sardines Day

HOW TO OBSERVE #NATIONALOYSTERDAY

Make or order a dish that uses oyster as one of its main ingredients. You can celebrate in other ways, too.

Use #NationalOysterDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL EAT YOUR BEANS DAY

National Eat Your Beans Day is a “live healthy” holiday observed every year on July 3rd. This day celebrates the bean vegetable in all sizes, shapes, and colors. Beans (legumes) date back to the early seventh millennium BCE, making them one of the longest-cultivated plants. 

As they were seven millennia ago, today, beans are a significant source of protein. If you’re looking for complex carbohydrates, folate, fiber, and iron, eat some beans. They are excellent sources for each of those. A very healthy choice for any meal or snack, they are also an excellent source of fiber, low in fat and high in complex carbohydrates, folate, and iron.

  • There are approximately 40,000 bean varieties in the world.
  • Only a fraction of these varieties are mass-produced for regular consumption.

Let’s Snack!

That’s a lot of beans! How do we know which ones to choose? Snacking on chickpeas provides us with one of the best choices. Also known as garbanzo beans, these legumes pack a whopping 12.5 grams of fiber, 71 % of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of folate, 84% RDI of Manganese, and 26% RDI of Iron per serving in 1 cup. Add chickpeas to stews like you would any bean. However, they also roast nicely with your favorite herbs and spices for a delicious and healthy snack.

Try this Hummus Recipe for a tasty treat snack or treat.   Pst… don’t tell anyone.  They’ll never believe something this good is also good for you.  If your pressed for time get the canned versions for chili’s, Stews, or even making hummus.  These will save you so much time when making weeknight meals.

Another tremendous snacking bean is the soybean. For more tips on bean varieties, visit www.medicalnewstoday.com.

With so many choices, celebrating with beans should be a delicious success!

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalEatYourBeansDay

Try some great recipes from our page.  Minestrone, White Chicken Chili, and Jens Easy Chili are favorites.  Use #NationalEatYourBeansDay to share on social media.