NATIONAL PUPPY DAY

They are playful, they yip, and they are just adorable. National Puppy Day celebrates these four-footed little friends on 23rd March every year. This day celebrates the unconditional love and company puppies bring to our lives as pets. The holiday also aims at educating the public about the horrors of puppy mills and how we can all save orphaned puppies and give them better homes.

History of National Puppy Day

National Puppy Day was born in 2006 by Colleen Paige. Colleen is also the brain behind National Dog Day and National Pet Awareness Day. In 2012, the International Puppy Day was created after many other countries across the globe began observing the day.

Paige’s motivation to establish this day was to spread awareness about puppies and how to save them from puppy mills. Through National Puppy Day, Coleen hoped that more people would embrace puppy adoption and rescue them from abuse and homelessness. Her efforts have borne fruits considering that National Puppy Day Adoptions are rising every year.

What Is a Puppy Mill?

Puppy mills are also referred to as puppy farms. They are a type of dog facility that bleeds puppies for sale. Most puppy mills’ primary focus is to maximize profits rather than the well being of the animals. Dogs in puppy mills live in small cages and conditions regarded as inhumane. National Puppy Day aims at eliminating these mills where dogs are cramped in conditions that impact negatively on their health.

What Is Considered a Puppy?

Some dog breeds are puppies for longer than others. However, most dog-breeds become adult dogs between one and two years. Puppies are also considered grown up after they get their adult teeth. At this point, their meal plan changes and they transition to adult food. However, the best way to know if your dog is still a pup or an adult is consulting a vet. You would be surprised to find that your three-year-old dog cannot process certain medication meant for an adult dog.

Puppies are adorable, and no human can avoid falling in love with them. Puppies are great listeners, judge-free and no matter the kind of problems we have, they are always around to lick them away. Although puppies can be very jumpy, they help us revamp our workout routine. By chasing them around, they keep us exercising, and this reduces stress and depression.

How to Celebrate National Puppy Day?

Spending time with these small creatures is the best way to celebrate this day. If you have a pup, spend this day showing him love and pampering. Buy him a new toy, teach him a new trick, take him for a walk or treat him to his favorite meal.

In some towns, there are National Puppy Day contests where your puppy can get to compete against other puppies. This is a golden chance to give your pup a new experience and at the same time help him win some goodies.

Other National Puppy Day activities you can engage in could include visiting your local rescue shelter and adopting a puppy. If you are not ready to own one, volunteer at the center by cleaning the cages, playing with the pups and walking them around.

The rescue center can also greatly benefit from your donations of money, food, pet toys and blankets.

Be sure to join this holiday’s conversation by joining the craze on social media via the hashtag #NationalPuppyDay.

National Puppy Day Freebies and Deals

Many pet stores run National Puppy Day deals and special offers on this day. Grab the opportunity and buy your puppy some new toys, blankets and other essentials that could be on offer. You can also enquire with pet salons if they have some discounts on their services. It can be a great time to treat your puppy to a massage or holistic spa treatment.