September 17, 2011 marks a special day for dogs and their ever-loving owners. It marks Responsible Dog Ownership Day—a day devoted to promoting and celebrating responsible dog ownership.

Photo source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/biscuitsmlp/1124827531/

Created by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2003, Responsible Dog Ownership Day (RDOD) encourages the community, dog experts and local clubs and organizations to partake in engaging activities that demonstrate various ways to be a responsible, loving and educated dog owner. The AKC invites all dog and pet-related organizations and interest groups to observe RDOD by hosting an event to raise awareness.

Whether you choose to organize an event to celebrate the day, or simply attend one, consider these activities ad tips to make the most of your commitment to responsible dog ownership:

• Involve police departments, veterinarians, dog trainers, service dog associations, breed clubs and other dog-related organizations in your events
• Emphasize the importance of responsibilities such as proper pet identification, training, grooming and good health
• Provide information and demonstrations on microchip identification, pet first aid and dog safety for children
• Organize a visit to or demonstration by police K9 units or therapy and service dogs
• Stay educated about dog obedience and agility by hosting or visiting a professional demonstration
• Make information available about dog rescue and adoption
• Interact and learn about different dog breeds to discover which one is right for your family
• Hold kids activities with special prizes
• Create contests for kids to win awards for dog essays, photos and drawings
• Reach out in the community for sponsors willing to donate items for a raffle or contests prizes
• Host a fundraiser to raise money or collect product donations for dog parks, animal shelters, etc.
• Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper or government official to showcase the importance of responsible dog ownership
• Contact local media to get word out of the events
• Post, and encourage others to post, acts of responsible dog ownership on the AKC Facebook and Twitter pages

In addition to engaging in RDOD activities, think about what it means to be a responsible dog owner. Make a list of goals you’d like to achieve within the year to be a more responsible caretaker for your pet. As an example, read through this Responsible Dog Ownership Day Pledge and remember your duties in providing a safe, comfortable and loving environment for your dog.

Would you befriend your arch nemesis or consider forming a friendship with someone who could eat you in one bite? Probably not. But that’s the trend in the animal kingdom these days. Monkeys and dogs, hippos and turtles, even predators and prey are overlooking their differences to adopt each other as friends for life.  It’s unusual, but we have to admit, these unlikely animal duos are just as adorable as they are accepting.  Check out our list of the most unlikely animal friendships, take a hint from kingdom Animalia and make a new friend!

1. The kitten and the crow

After a stray kitten showed up in the yard of a Massachusetts couple, they noticed she had an unusual friend with her.  Cassie the cat, as they called her, had made friends with a crow.  Cassie and the crow, who the couple named Moses, ate together, played together and simply spent every minute together.  Cassie eventually grew comfortable around the couple and moved into their house.  Moses, however, remained shy and more comfortable outside.  Still, nothing could disrupt their relationship.  Every morning, Moses tapped on the front door, and Cassie was let out to play with him.  Moses came around to play with Cassie for four years, before disappearing.  The family never discovered what happened to the friendly crow, but they and Cassie surely enjoyed his company while it lasted.

2. The orangutan and the hound dog

Suryia the orangutan and Roscoe the hound dog met by happenstance on an ordinary day and created an unordinary, yet irreplaceable friendship.  When Suryia and his trainer were taking their daily elephant ride to the river, they came upon a Bluetick Coonhound, who was eager for a friend.  Suryia took to the dog immediately.  They hugged and played and rolled around for hours.  Days later, the dog miraculously found his way into Suryia’s habitat, where the orangutan shared a meal with him.  Suryia’s family decided to accept the dog as their own and named him Roscoe.  Roscoe and Suryia are now able to be together every day and enjoy sharing food, swimming and rolling in the grass.  Sometimes Suryia even takes Roscoe for walks on his leash.

3. The hippo and the tortoise

After a tsunami washed away the home of Owen, a young hippopotamus, he was relocated to an animal sanctuary in Mombasa, Kenya where he would meet his BFF.  The young hippo was given a quiet place to adjust before sharing a home with his to-be companion hippo.  In this quiet place, Owen met Mzee—a 130-year old tortoise.  Mzee took some time getting used to living with Owen, but after a while, the two became the best of friends.  Owen and Mzee cuddled and groomed each other, and Mzee even taught Owen how to eat cut leaves and carrots.  After Owen reached full size, conservationists became concerned that he would pose danger to the tortoise, so they finally placed him with a companion of his own kind.

4. The dog and the elephant

In 2005, two improbable residents at an elephant sanctuary became inseparable.  Bella the dog and Tara the elephant surprised everyone at the sanctuary when they formed a bond that defied the limits of size.  The 30-pound dog took to her 4-ton friend immediately and even saw herself as the elephant’s protector.  However, in 2007, Bella went missing and was later found partially paralyzed.  While being cared for in the sanctuary office, Bella whined for Tara, who amazingly wandered to the office window and begged for the dog to come back outside.  Bella eventually healed, and the pair have been roaming their habitat ever since.

5. The lion and the men

The story is certainly not a new one.  When Ace Burke and John Rendall found Christian the lion in a cage at a department store in London, their lives were changed forever.  Since that day in 1969, Christian has been attracting all kinds of attention.  Burke and Rendall cared for Christian until his 130-pound frame became too much for their urban homestead.  With the help of a conservationist, the two men found a home for Christian at the Kora National Reserve in Kenya.  The goodbye was difficult for both species, but it was in the best interest for everyone.  A year after their goodbye, Burke and Rendall returned to the reserve to visit Christian.  They had no expectations, understanding that the lion may not remember them in any way.  To their surprise, Christian spotted the men and raced to greet them with his usual four-legged hug.  The sight was one of unending love and inspiration.

6. The lioness and the baby antelope

In the most extreme example of implausible animal friendships comes the story of a lioness who took a baby oryx under her wing.  In 2001, Kamuniak the lioness left conservationists speechless when rather than eating an unsuspecting antelope, she adopted it.  Kamuniak was thought to have undergone trauma that inspired her to see “baby” rather than “food” when she came across the calf.  In the weeks after that, the lioness wouldn’t let the calf out of her sight, cuddling with her, following her around and even refusing to hunt.  Both baby and lioness were starving themselves, however, in that Kamuniak wouldn’t risk losing the calf to hunt, and the calf had no means of getting milk.  The nurturing relationship ended abruptly, unfortunately, when a male lion found the calf at a watering hole.

Would you be prepared if a tornado swept through your community tomorrow?  What would you do if you experienced a flood as catastrophic as the one in Memphis?  Could you keep your family and pets safe if you experienced a quake like the one in Japan?

With today’s prevalence of natural disasters and the tragedy that comes with, we must be able to answer these questions with confidence and prioritize disaster preparedness efforts—for humans and animals alike.  June has been designated as Disaster Preparedness Month for Animals to encourage people to think about the course of action they would take in keeping themselves and their pets safe before they are devastated by a natural disaster.  Summertime carries with it the threat of hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires and other natural disasters that can be prepared for in advance with a little preparation and a lot of common sense.

Although this dog was kept safe after the Joplin, Missouri tornadoes, countless animals were lost or are missing.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/efusco/5777979467/in/pool-1677498@N20/

In a survey by the American Humane Society, it was reported that 47 percent of Americans would decline rescue from a disastrous situation if it meant leaving behind their pet. While it’s important that animals be protected in times of distress, it shouldn’t take precedence over the safety of you or your family.   We’ve created a resource to help you prepare your family for disaster and keep both you and your beloved animals safe and sound in the aftermath.

Before the disaster

The best thing you can do in the event of a disaster is be prepared.  Follow these steps ahead of time to make sure that your precious pets will be accounted for in times of calamity.

First, make sure you have a designated “safe” place in your home for all family members and pets if the disaster does not require you to evacuate.  It’s best that this safe place be away from windows and doors and located toward the center of your home.  Usually a basement or centrally-located bathroom is safest.  Also prepare for an event that will require you to flee your home.  Disasters such as fires and hurricanes will make it necessary to get away from your home and to a place of refuge as quickly as possible.  Unfortunately, your pet may not be able to stay with you.  For this reason, make a list of animal shelters, boarding facilities and pet-friendly hotels that are prepared to house animals and evacuate them if needed.

Then talk with your family and neighbors to make sure everyone is on board with the plan.  Designate someone to be in charge of retrieving pets from the house or anywhere else they may be.

Also keep your pet’s identification up-to-date.  Pets can be displaced for miles after a disaster, making them almost impossible to find on your own.  If your pet has proper identification containing your name, phone number, address and the contact information of someone out of state (in case you are displaced as well), your pet is more likely to be recovered and returned to you.

Make sure to gather any relief plans and emergency materials available from your local Red Cross chapter or police, fire, health and agriculture departments.  This will ensure that you know where to turn in an emergency situation and will have access to the best resources.

Next, make known that your house is home to animals.  Purchase a pet rescue window sticker to place on your entry doors to ensure your pets are not left without help.  If you and your family have to evacuate your home before rounding up your pets, this sticker will alert emergency officials that there are pets inside in need of rescue.  It is beneficial to list your pet’s names and favorite hiding places on the sticker, as well a quality picture of each animal.

Finally, create an emergency kit.  This kit should contain everything you might possibly need after disaster that puts you out of a home.  Prepare this pet survival kit in a waterproof container or your pet’s travel carrier.  If you opt for the carrier, make sure it is large enough for an animal to stand up and turn around in, guaranteeing their comfort in such a stressful situation.  Keep this kit always-prepared and near a means of exit to make it easy to grab on your way out of the house.  Make sure it includes:

-          At least two weeks of any medication your pet is taking

-          Flea prevention and heartworm treatment

-          Two weeks’ worth of pet food and water

-          Bowls/containers for the food and water

-          Treats, toys and blankets

-          Extra leashes and collars

-          Muzzle

-          Pet safety flotation halters or vests if in a flood zone

-          Peroxide

-          Gauze, bandages and adhesive tape

-          Training pads (if you aren’t able to be outside safely) and cat litter

-          Paper towels and hand towels

-          Your pet’s vaccination records

-          The contact information of your vet

-          Your pet’s identification with your contact info (think about getting your animal micro-chipped)

-          Contact information of pet-friendly hotels and shelters

-          Pictures of your pet with a good description

-          Portable radio to listen for PSAs regarding emergency news and available refuge

Watch this video for a pet survival kit tutorial from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

During the disaster

When disaster strikes, make sure you are prepared to act.  Utilize your preparedness kit and disaster relief plan to get your entire family to safety.

If you must evacuate, do so immediately.  Waiting until the last minute may mean it’s too late to take your pet with you.  Keep up on the latest emergency information and breaking news, if possible, and be sure you know where your pet is at all times.  When animals sense disaster, they tend to hide, making finding and evacuating them close to impossible.  Keep them close by and on a leash when preparing to evacuate or take shelter in your own home.

Stay calm.  Whether you are fleeing home or taking cover in your safe place, remain as composed as possible to create a familiar and comfortable environment for your pet.  If an animal acts out or becomes uncomfortable, hold them or keep them safe in their carrier or cage.

After the disaster

After it is okay to exit your safe place at home or after you have made it to a nearby shelter or hotel, follow these guidelines to remain comfortable or to recover a missing or suffering pet.

Keep in mind that your pet is likely to be disoriented after being outside in a disaster or even afterward.  A lack of familiar sights and smells can inflict stress on them or increase their chances of becoming lost.  Keep your pet on a leash and/or in your arms until they become comfortable with the surroundings or until they are no longer expressing aggression or misbehaving.  Reassure your pet with familiar petting, cuddling and patience.

Take note of the condition of your pet, making sure they are not injured, sick or hungry.  Utilize your pet survival kit to administer any medications, wound care or to keep them nourished.  If you need to, refer to your list of veterinarians to contact for further assistance.

If you have become separated from your pet, stay calm, ask for help and visit local shelters, animal control facilities and kennels on a daily basis.  Use the picture and description of your pet to create “missing” posters and show the people around you.  If your pet has not gone far, they may be able to match your description to the pet you’ve been looking for.  Know that collars and tags are sometimes lost, so tattoos, markings or microchips will increase the odds of your pet being found.

If you happen to find another stray animal, take it to a shelter immediately and place its information around town, online and in the newspapers to increase the chances of a pet-owner reunion.  Utilize this site to report a lost or found pet.

Do your part to prioritize disaster preparedness efforts for animals this month—prepare a pet survival kit, share this information or donate to an animal rescue mission today.  More than 800 animals were displaced by the Joplin, Missouri tornadoes this year, more than 10,000 were lost in the force of Hurricane Katrina and so many others have never been recovered in times of catastrophe.  Disaster can strike anywhere, anytime—make sure your pet is prepared.

Who doesn’t love Facebook stalking, keeping up with worldwide Twitter trends or sharing the latest viral video? Who knows, but we can probably count them on one hand. Social media is today’s insistent source of information, news and entertainment for people everywhere. Wait—did I say people? I meant pets. That’s right, pets. But you probably knew that. Maybe you’ve “friended” some of man’s best friends, maybe your cat has her own Twitter account or maybe your rabbit is a regular YouTube sensation. No matter the creature, it is becoming the norm for pets of all kinds to have a social media outlet of their very own. So get with the program—twitter a critter, blog a dog or chat a cat.

Boo

Facebook’s more than 500 million active users make it the world’s largest social network, providing unlimited pictures, videos, news and chitchat in an instant. Facebook, however, is not limited to human beings. Plenty of pets across the globe have Facebook accounts, fan pages and applications. Check out Boo, the cutest dog in the world, who uses Facebook to chat with more than one million fans about his favorite things—Oprah, cheese and wearing shirts. Mark Zuckerburg, creator of Facebook, even has a page for his pooch, Beast, a Hungarian Sheepdog who enjoys cuddling, loving and eating. Curious to know how many other dogs have a Facebook page? Check out this infographic by lab42.

Pet owners are also able to use species-specific applications, aside from fan pages or profiles, to keep pets a part of their online lives, find useful information and tips and save precious pet memories all in one place. Here are just a few of some Facebook apps for pets:

• Dogbook
• Catbook
• Ferretbook
• Horsebook
• Fishbook
• Rodentbook

There’s no denying that the combination of Facebook and pets makes for great entertainment, but most don’t recognize its capability to inspire good work and philanthropy as well. For example, this Facebook page exists to help those devastated by the tornados in Joplin, Missouri to find their missing pets. Residents of Joplin who have lost pets in the twisters are encouraged to post photos and information to more than 15,800 “followers” who are willing to help in any way possible get these animals back home.

Twitter

Twitter is growing rapidly as a popular social network to share news, babble aimlessly and partake in shameless self-promotion. Pets included. Check out today’s animal kingdom tweeters and see for yourself why these pets have more followers than you.

The most popular pets on Twitter:

1. Sockington the cat
@sockington

This sassy stray-turned-star has a massive following of 1,487,856 and was once featured in People Magazine.

2. The Bronx Zoo Cobra
@bronxzooscobra

With 239,623 followers, The Bronx Zoo cobra is the most popular snake on the Web. His sarcastic tone and comedic tweets make him more entertaining online than at the zoo.

3. Fluffy the Cat
@fluffythecat

Her style is repetitive, considering she only tweets the word “meow,” but this cute kitty still has well over 16,000 followers.

4. Stanley Pinkerton
@mr_pinkerton

This Basset Hound is a mascot of sorts for Pinkerton South, an advertising agency in South Carolina. He doesn’t like baths, deems himself a workaholic and has 10,384 followers.

5. Aflac Duck
@aflacduck

We all know him by his Aflac commercial gig, but this duck is sharing the rest of his life with us and over 10,700 followers by tweeting his every thought—from what he just ate to his favorite songs and Sunday confessions.

6. Erica’s Fish
@ericasfish

This fish has created quite the following with her cat-hating tweets and feisty attitude. She loves making fun of her human and aspires to be the Little Mermaid.

7. Rudy the Parrot
@rudytheparrot

This colorful character is sarcastic and sometimes aggressive, tweeting about mating, singing and overtaking Sockington the cat as Twitter’s most popular pet.

8. Buddy Rabbit
@buddyrabbit

This sweet and kind bunny rabbit adores his family and enjoys filling his 2,546 followers in on talk of bunny kisses, nudism and massages.

Ok, ok, we know these animals aren’t really tweeting—but what if they could? That’s exactly what Mattel Inc. has tried to figure out. They have created “Puppy Tweets” to simulate the every thought of your dog. Puppy Tweets is a dog collar accessory designed to tweet one of 500 canned messages upon detecting movement or barking. A USB receiver connected to your computer will acknowledge the movement of your dog and post a random tweet to your dog’s account. Example tweets include, “I bark because I miss you,” “Can we get some sparkling water for the toilet bowl?” and “Guess what I’m licking right now?”

There is also an iPhone app, BowLingual, that enables your dog to tweet. The device decodes your dog’s bark and classifies it as one of several emotions—sad, frustrated, needy, happy, self-expressive and on-guard—before sending it to your pooch’s Twitter account for a hilarious glimpse into the life of a dog.

Speaking of dogs, hilarity and Twitter, Check out this list of Twitter’s most popular pups or a complete list of all dogs who tweet.

Pets only

Not only do our pets find themselves on the most popular social networking sites of our time, they also have access to a variety of social media sites exclusively for and about animals. Check these out for an extreme, fluffy dose of cuteness.

-        Cuteness.com

-        Cute Overload

-        Stuff on My Cat

-        Stuff on My Mutt

-        The Daily Bunny

-        Cute Animal Zoo

-        Cuteness.com

-        Cute Overload

-        Stuff on My Cat

-        Stuff on My Mutt

-        The Daily Bunny

-        Cute Animal Zoo

-        Cuteness.com

-        Cute Overload

-        Stuff on My Cat

-        Stuff on My Mutt

-        The Daily Bunny

-        Cute Animal Zoo

-        Dogster

-        Catster

-        Fuzzster

-        Petside

-        My Dog Space

-        My Cat Space

-        United Dogs

-        United Cats

-        Pika Pet

-        Pet Brags

And what if your dog could text on top of everything else!?

Twitter and Facebook are fun and all, but wouldn’t it be even better if your dog could send you a text? We’ve given it some thought and decided that if your dog could text, they might say something like this:
IWHF: “I want human food.”
CC: “Chasing cat.”
CT: “Chasing tail.”
LGFAW: “Let’s go for a walk.”
PWM: “Play with me.”
IDNEYH: “I did not eat your homework.”

Ever wonder when Hug Your Cat Day is?  Need to know when to mark Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day on your calendar?  Did you even know that there’s a day in April proclaimed to discourage people from stepping in dog poop?  (Shouldn’t that be a holiday 365 days of the year?)

Make note of these and other celebratory dates or download our free calendar–but first,
take a look at our complete list of pet holidays.

Dog holidays

Dog lovers, here is your ultimate list of special days to share with Fido.

February 22—Walking the Dog Day

Most people walk their dog every day, but this day makes taking your dog for a stroll a priority.  Don’t have a dog?  Join a friend and their pooch for the occasion.

February 23—International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day

What better way to spoil your dog than by celebrating the ever-blissful dog biscuit? Show your dog just how much he means to you by letting him enjoy his favorite treat.

March 23—National Puppy Day

This day is a celebration of the cutest, softest and most playful pets there are—puppies!  Spend this day loving on and spending time with your puppy as awareness is raised around the world to save and protect orphaned puppies.

April 18—International Guide Dog Day

Take time on this day to celebrate the important role that guide dogs play in helping vision-impaired people achieve safe and independent travel.

April 25—Don’t Step in Dog Poop Day

Most would prefer that every day be “don’t step in dog poop day,” so why does this holiday exist?  This is a day created to urge dog owners to evaluate dog doo pick-up options.  With a cleaner yard comes a healthier pet!

June 24—Take Your Dog to Work Day

A dog in the office doesn’t sound like too brilliant an idea, but the reason for this holiday is.  When businesses open their doors to employees’ furry friends, they are doing their part to celebrate canine companionship and promote pet adoption.

July 31—Mutt’s Day

Mutt’s Day is the day the spotlight shines on half-breeds all across the nation.  Every dog has its day, and for mutts, that day is July 31.

August 5—Work Like a Dog Day

No, this day isn’t an excuse to lay around like a dog all day long.  This day exists to honor those that work hard, always going the extra mile (though we like the lazy dog day better).

August 12—National Assistance Dog Day

This is a special holiday devoted to honoring those dogs that help better the lives of disabled individuals.  On this day, guide dogs, service dogs, hearing alert dogs, seizure response dogs and medical response dogs are acknowledged for all they do to improve humanity.

August 26—National Dog Day

National Dog Day is a day for all dogs—a day to recognize family dogs, assistance dogs and those dogs in need of rescue.  On this day, communities across the nation hold events to commemorate dogs of all kinds.

September 23—Dogs in Politics Day

Sparked by a speech by President Nixon about his family dog, Checkers, this day was established to celebrate the four-legged friends of U.S. politicians.

October—National Pit Bull Awareness Day

Every October, this day is celebrated to raise awareness of the joys of owning pit bulls, dispel pit bull myths, discuss breed discrimination and have a little fun.

Cat holidays

Feline friends need love too!  Check out our cat holiday calendar to make sure you don’t miss these cat-crazy dates.

January 22—National Answer Your Cat’s Question Day

This holiday of feline understanding is meant to shed light on the importance of communicating with your cat.  If, for example, your cat questions you about the meaning of life on this particular day, you’d better come up with a response.

April 28—Hairball Awareness Day

If you ask the Hairball Awareness Day spokesperson, Romeo the cat, he would tell you that this holiday is meant to teach the public about the dangers of hair ingestion and the importance of good grooming practices.

May 30—Hug Your Cat Day

This day is exactly what it sounds like—a day to hug, cuddle and love your favorite kitten.

October 16—National Feral Cat Day

Celebrate the safety and well-being of cats on this day by taking part in a community event to make the world a safer place for feral cats.

October 29—National Cat Day

The goal of National Cat Day is simply to “celebrate the cats in your life, and to give them unconditional love for the companionship they bestow.”

November 17—National Black Cat Day

This holiday began in Italy as a means of dispelling the myth that black cats bring bad luck.  On this day black cats are celebrated and cat lovers everywhere are encouraged to do their part in restoring the reputation and quality of life of black cats.

General pet holidays

There are plenty of holidays that don’t discriminate on the basis of cat-ness or dog-ness.  Maybe you have an elephant.  Well, here are some holidays for you.

January 2—National Pet Travel Safety day

This day is dedicated to the safety of all animals no matter where they travel—the grocery store, the park, grandma’s house and everywhere else.

January 14—National Dress up Your Pet Day

Take time this day to play doggy dress-up, deck your cat in the latest trends and make every one of your pets fit for the runway.

January 24—Change a Pet’s Life Day

Change the life of an animal by turning to adoption centers and animal shelters the next time you are eager to welcome a pet into the family.  This day of awareness seeks to inform people across the nation that animals available for adoption in shelters make the greatest best friends.

February 14—Pet Theft Awareness Day

Share the love on Valentine’s Day by doing your part to prevent pet theft.  Educate your family, friends and neighbors about pet theft and ways yo keep all pets safe.

February 20—Love Your Pet Day

Although there need be no official day for pet-pampering, this day is exclusively for the love of pets.  Scratch your dog’s belly, rub your cat behind the ears, sing to your fish or even spend time with your pet rock.  No matter what you do, make sure to show the pets in your life just how much you care.

February 22—Spay Day

It’s simple.  In the words of Bob Barker, “Control the pet population.  Have your pet spayed or neutered.”

March 3—If Pets Had Thumbs Day

Would your dog feed himself?  Would your cat text you?  Would your bunny rabbit suck his thumb?  The world may never know, but the fun in this holiday is thinking about what life would be like if your favorite furry friends had such an opposable appendage.

April 11—National Pet Day

National Pet Day serves as a way to bring animal-enthusiasts together in caring for and raising awareness of unwanted pets.

April 18—Pet Owner’s Independence Day

No kidding, this is the supposed day for pets to go to work in the place of their dutiful owners, who stay at home in their place.  Hello, couch.  Hello, catnap.  Hello, perfect day.

April 26—National Kids and Pets Day

Take time to hang with your favorite four-legged and two-legged creatures.  Make plans for a fun-filled day to bond as a family, or spend the day looking for a pet to add to the family (or a child).

April 30—World Veterinary Day

World Veterinary Day is meant to celebrate the profession’s diversity and contributions to human and animal health and welfare.

May 3—National Disabled Pets Day

On this day, disabled pets of every kind are honored and are the heart of a movement to encourage pet-lovers to adopt a special-needs animal.

May (second Saturday)—Animal Disaster Preparedness Day

The declaration of this holiday was meant to raise awareness about the importance of planning for the safety of all pets before disaster strikes.

June 12—World Pet Memorial Day

Celebrate the life of your pets, past and present, on World Pet Memorial Day by coming together to remember each of these special animals.

July 15—National Pet Fire Safety Day

This day serves to encourage pet owners to incorporate their beloved animals into fire safety plans to keep every member of the family safe.

August 20—National Homeless Animal Day

This holiday serves as part of a crusade to publicize and control dog and cat overpopulation in the United States.  On this day, events are coordinated to raise awareness and find homes for homeless pets.

August 30—National Holistic Pet Day

National Holistic Pet Day is a day dedicated to evaluating the health of your pet while taking strides to adopt a wellness approach for your pet that addresses the body, mind and spirit.

September (second Sunday)—National Pet Memorial Day

Each year, this day is a helpful way for families to grieve and remember the special pets in their lives.

September 28—World Rabies Day

Use this day to help raise rabies awareness and learn about how to prevent and treat the disease in animals.

October 24—World Pets Day

World Pets Day is exactly as it seems—a day to celebrate all pets, all over our planet.

October 28—Plush Animal Lovers Day

So you don’t have a real, live pet?  You’re mom won’t let you get a puppy?  No problem.  We’ve got a holiday for you too.  Plush Animal Lovers Day is 24 hours for you to spend loving your stuffed animals.  They need love and attention too!

Some pet owners opt out of the pet costume fever when it comes to their furry friends and the Holidays, but that doesn’t stop some owners from going all out no matter the occasion. Easter probably tops the list of holidays with some of the most humiliating pet costumes, but whether you think they’re fabulous or just plain silly, check out our best Easter costumes for pets (Or send us yours!):

Limited Edition Juicy Couture Plush Scottie ($49.00)

Hop on it.

Bloomin’ Snout Pet Costume (12.99)

Spring has sprung.

Easter Bunny Dog Costume from Pawfect Pet Collars By Jackie ($16.50)

Get it.

Bunny Dog Costume by Fierce Costumes  ($18.99)

nom nom nom.

Bunny Shirt & Hat Dog Costume sweatshirt Easter Small ($24.00)

Simple and cute.

Cute Puppy Clothes Bunny Knit Dress from The Sassy Pup ($55.99)

Get it.

Funny Bunny Romper Suit in Blue from Posh Puppy Boutique ($58.00)

Romp in the romper.

Bunny Costume ($19.95)

Hop on it.

Fuzzy Duck Dog Costume ($27.95)

Quack, quack.

President’s Day is the one-day a year dedicated to the inspirational individuals who run our country, but everyone knows that behind every great leader is a presidential pooch nipping at their heels. Check out the 5 Most Recent 1^st Dogs:

1. Bo

Bo, the Obama Family’s Portuguese water dog the kids named. Bo was a gift for Obama’s daughters. The Obama Girls chose the name Bo for the pup because first lady Michelle Obama’s father was nicknamed Diddley inspired by singer “Bo” Diddley. Read more about Bo:  http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/04/12/Meet-Bo-the-First-Dog/

2 + 3. Barney and Miss Beazley

Barney and Miss Beazley are two for one deal. These pampered pooches belong to President George W. Bush. Barney, the George W. Bush’s Scottish Terrier, was born on September 30, 2000. Miss Beazley, a Scottish Terrier, arrived at the White House on January 6, 2005 as a birthday present from the President to Mrs. Bush. To read their full autobiographies (yes, autobiographies), check out their page on George W. Bush’s website: http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/barney/

4. Spot

Spot was George W. Bush’s English Springer Spaniel, born on March 17, 1989 the pup of George Bush Sr.’s dog Millie. Sadly, Spot passed away in 2004. Read more about Spot: http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/kids/spotty/index.html

5. Buddy

Buddy, a chocolate Labrador retriever, was given to President Bill Clinton in 1997 as a gift. Tragically, Buddy was hit by a car in 2002. The dog’s namesake was Clinton’s great-uncle, Henry Oren “Buddy” Grisham, who died in June of 1997. Read More about Buddy: http://articles.cnn.com/2002-01-03/us/buddy.killed_1_clinton-family-chocolate-labrador-retriever-dog?_s=PM:US

Our pets are a part of the family. So for many, it is only natural to celebrate the day their pooch was brought into the world. Some might find the idea of a doggy birthday party a little out there, but others may be intrigued. We consulted party planning experts, doggy bakeries, party decoration stores, and those who have actually thrown their pup a first-rate fiesta to give you the scoop on canine birthday bashes. Check out our complete guide to doggy birthday parties:

(Photo by Abbey*Christine: http://www.flickr.com/photos/abbeychristine/5381797398/)

Safety First

The well-being and safety of your dog and your party guests should be of the utmost importance when planning for a pooch party. Tera Hamby of Pampered Paw Gifts (http://www.pamperedpawgifts.com) knowsthe ins and outs of planning a pet birthday party and we consulted her for some safety tips:

• Keep an outdoor party to an hour, especially if you’re inviting less active dogs.
• Be sure there’s adequate shade and water for everyone. A fun way to keep dogs hydrated is to freeze a large block of ice in a plastic food container. Place it within reach of all dogs and allow it to melt during the party.
• Don’t have some dogs on leash and others off-leash. Dogs act more defensive when they’re on a leash, and could be at a disadvantage with others who are off-leash.
• Bring pickup bags (enough for everyone).
• Give treats that don’t last longer than a gulp. If a dog takes a larger treat away to sit and eat it, a skirmish could result.
• If you’re having a party in your back yard, don’t put food down on the ground, or your own dog may get territorial.
• The safest way to introduce food to a group of dogs is to have the owners feed bite-size snacks to their dogs.
• Let guests know that dogs may need to be separated if squabbles break out.
• The safest mix of guests is equal numbers of males and females.
• If any guests are not spayed or neutered, let other guests of non-spayed/neutered dogs know it.
• During social time, throw a ball to give the dogs something to chase and focus on. Be sure to have enough toys for everyone to avoid possessiveness.
• Ask your vet about foods that you’re planning to give the dogs at the picnic, to be sure that you’re not serving anything unsafe. Some foods, though not toxic, should still not be served in large quantities (examples: macadamia nuts, raisins).

(Photo By Franklin Park Library: http://www.flickr.com/photos/franklinparklibrary/3721881856/)

Party Planning Checklist

Following the safety guidelines provided, dog party planners might want to consider getting and being mindful of the following:

• Guest List (Do you have enough room to accommodate all the pooches? Will the dogs get along?)
• Invitations
• Venue (Always be mindful of space and breakable/destructible items and decor)
• Cake and treats (Ask your guests about pet allergies.)
• Doggy treat bags for party-goers
• Decorations (Pet safety comes first here, always be careful of things dogs can swallow.)
• Pooper Scooper (Let’s keep it clean.)
• Food for the humans (They are guests too.)
• Dog Toys (Need some form of entertainment.)

Apryl D. Roberts Owner/Event Designer of Memorable Events by Apryl, LLC (www.MemorableEventsbyApryl.com) also had some personal experience and tips to add, “I am an event planner who has thrown a dog birthday party for my aunt’s dog— Lucky. Believe it or not, it is not much different that throwing a child’s party. You may still come up with a theme of your choice, have doggy birthday cake, as well as favor bags for your doggy guests.”

“We invited all of her friends that owned dogs. We sent out special invitations. The party was set up in the backyard so that the dogs would have plenty of room to play. We made sure that we purchased plenty of pet toys for the dogs to play with while there, as it was a party afterall. I was able to purchase a lot of the supplies at a really cool website- www.gooddogexpress.com. Birthday hats, cake mix, doggy treats, sprinkles, and favors.”

After planning a successful party for Lucky, Apryl had some additional tips for future parties, “Some important things to remember when throwing a dog birthday party is to make sure that you invite compatible dogs- keep in mind the sizes of the dogs that will be present. You do not want to invite chaos. Also, make sure that there is a lot of water bowls available for the pets , and keep them replenished. It may be a good idea to provide each pet owner w/ their own clean-up bag to clean up after their pets if needed. And last but not least, take plenty of pictures and have fun!”

(Photo by J Andrew C: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jcrawf3/3534093979/)

Getting the Goodies

What’s a party without the tasty treats? Pooches want to chow down, so it’s probably a good idea to plan for a birthday banquet. Luckily, there are bakeries that specialize in birthday treats for pets such as cupcakes, cakes, milk bones, cookies, doggy party bags, and other festive snacks in an assortment of flavors, shapes, and colors. All the bakeries and pet treat places we looked into had options for pets with allergies and used human-grade ingredients. Nom Nom Nom.

“Planning is important,” says Aimee of www.bingsbarkinbakery.com, the on-line dog bakery. “Customers need to give the bakery at least 5 – 7 days notice for when they need their cake and treats delivered. Customers need to know how many four legged friends are coming to the birthday celebration & then they can decide which size cake they would need.” Treats come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and flavors. “Customers have a choice of 3 frosting and color writing they would like We have 3 different frostings: Peanut Butter, Yogurt, and Carob,” says Aimee.

Bing’s Barkin’ Barkery

Pampered Paw Gifts (http://www.pamperedpawgifts.com) also offers a whole host of personalized birthday treats including cakes, gift baskets, cookies, and other goodies in a variety of flavors and made with organic ingredients. Some include carrot cakes, layered cakes, bone-shaped, bundt cakes, and more. Check out some of our favorites below.

We also liked Barbara’s Canine Catering, Inc. (http://www.k9treat.com) for their Pawty Favor Bags and customized cakes (pictured below). If you’re working on a budget and would prefer to prepare your own treats, Barbara Burg of www.k9treat.com, has written a cookbook called The Good Treats Cookbook for Dogs which includes lots of great recipes for parties as well as great party-planning tips.

Decorations

Doggy decor is a must if you’re throwing a dog birthday party. We consulted the experts on dog decorations for some tips on how to liven up the party. “As our pets are an increasingly important part of the family, giving them a party is a fun way to celebrate our favorite furry family members.  So what do you need?  Our favorite items include parties hats and balloons,” says Beth, Owner of Tail Waggin’ Celebrations (www.tailwagging.com).

People Who Have Already Done It

A birthday bash for your furry friend sounds like a hoot in theory, but we wanted to hear about some of the dog birthday party successes and how they did it so we sought out dog-lovers who have thrown their pooches parties to remember.

Katie Pemberton adopted her pooch Cara from the Memphis Humane Society (www.memphishumane.org) and wanted to throw a birthday party slash reunion for her furry friend. “I threw a birthday party for my dog last year on July 4 weekend, and will do it again this year,” says dog-lover Katie. “We did it all outside and started about 6pm so it wouldn’t be too unbearably hot. It was a great time and we had no fights or bratty behavior with a party of 15-20 dogs…I didn’t do a theme, but I had a kiddie pool, the hose, a small hurdle, bubbles, party hats, and since it was hot, I made frozen peanut butter banana bites for the dogs. We also had goodie bags for the dogs full of treats, rawhides, etc.”

“We didn’t give out rawhides during the party–that probably would have led to fights. We had non-exciting toys around the yard, like tennis balls. Also, there was a LOT of poop! Someone needs to be prepared to take pooper-scooper breaks to maintain the yard and avoid people stepping in it. For the people, we kept it simple and just grilled out hamburgers and hot dogs, and also had cornhole available as a people game.”

Dog-owner Mary Schwartz throws a surprise birthday party for her pup Elle every year. The tips she recommends:

• KISS – Keep it simple (stupid).
• The more food/distractions you have, the more you’ll be working to keep your dog and others from eating/misbehaving.
• We had an open bar, pizza (for humans) and 1 cake for people 2 cakes for dogs.
• When serving dog birthday cake, work with pet parents to serve.
• Make sure dogs are spaced out and their parent’s have a slice of cake for each pet.
• Serve cake at the same time – actually call it out.– I got my cakes from Three Dog Bakery.
• I used to go all out – actually giving dogs “Doggy Gift Bags,” but they’re just as happy without them.

“Also even though I asked not to bring a gift, people don’t always heed.  So another option is to ask guests in lieu of a gift, to make a donation to your local shelter or AVMF,” says Mary. See Mary’s party success below.

Andy Germann was a guest at dog birthday party and was initially perplexed by the invite, “I had the opportunity to attend a dog birthday party. My friend threw a party for her golden retriever. When I got the invitation, I thought it odd but I loaded my dog in the back seat (with his baseball cap on) and headed to the event. It was held in a large open facility where dogs and people could all play. My dog, of course, was neurotic and hid under a bench most of the time. We played crab soccer (both dogs and people) and had races for the dogs. The one thing I would suggest is when it comes time for the birthday boy or girl to open their presents, make sure there are party favors for the dog attendees. My dog didn’t understand that the toys weren’t for him and kept stealing them. Seemed broken-hearted when he had to leave without them!”

Dog-owner Tish Davis went all out for her pup’s birthday, “I recently had a 1 year old party for my dog Destiny in October. The party included custom table linens, a cake for the dogs, cupcakes and doggie cake pops for the humans. The dogs also had sliders and we had a Canine Bar for favors. Human favors were Human Puppy Chow in Mason jars. The party was held at a doggie daycare/boarding and we did have a professional photographer.”

A complete list of the vendors Tish used: Location and Dog Cake: K-9 Planet www.k-9planet.com, Photo: Kristen Alexander Photography www.kristenphoto.com, Linens: I Do Linens www.idolinens.com, Cupcakes and Cake Pops: Nana Betty www.nanabetty.com, Planner: Elegant Event Sitters, Inc. www.eleganteventsitters.com.

Get the Party Started

Planning a party for a furry friend might not be on your to-do list for 2011, but if it is, happy planning!  Have any tips of your own for throwing a puppy party? Share.