October 2024 Pet Holidays and Observances
October has arrived and winter is around the corner. Below is the list of Holidays and Observances for our Pets.
Month-Long Observances
- Adopt A Dog Month
- Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
- Black Cat Awareness Month.
- National Animal Safety and Protection Month.
- National Pet CBD Month.
- National Pet Obesity Awareness Month.
- National Pet Wellness Month.
- National Pit Bull Awareness Month.
- Small Dog Awareness Month.
- World Animal Month.
- National Domestic Violence Month – pets are victims too
Week-Long Observances
- 6-12: National Walk Your Dog Week.First full week of October.
- 6-12: Animal Welfare Week. (AVMA). First full week of October.
- 13-19: National Veterinary Technician Week.
One-Day Pet Holidays
- 1: National Fire Pup Day.
- 1: National Black Dog Day.
- 2: Canine Companion Day.
- 4: World Animal Day.
- 4: Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
- 4: Kindness to Animals Day.
- 9: CATober9th®. Universal birthday of shelter cats whose birthdays remain a mystery.
- 10: World Animal Road Accident Awareness Day.This day to draw awareness to drivers if they hit a dog or other animal on the road.
- 11: National Pet Obesity Awareness Day.
- 11: Vet Nurse Day. Known as Veterinary Nurse Day
- 16: Global Cat Day. To draw our attention to all the homeless cats and find them homes
- 19: National Fetch Day.
- 21: National Pets for Veterans Day.
- 22: National Make a Dog’s Day.
- 26: National Livestock Guardian Dog Appreciation and Awareness Day.
- 28: Plush Animal Lovers Day. A day for all dogs to unstuff their plush squeaky toys
- 26: Muddy Dog Day.(UK) Last Saturday in October.
- 26: National Pit Bull Awareness Day.
- 29: National Cat Day.
- 30: National Treat Your Pet Day. A day to treat our pets with snacks, extra love and attention.
Have a safe October and a Happy New Year to our Jewish followers who celebrate the New Year on the eve of October 2nd
With a woof and love from Nili
Nili speaking out
Hello to all my friends,
Today, Friday is a special day for Mom, it is her birthday as I am speaking for my sister Layla also wishing Mom a very happy Birthday, I am so blessed to have been adopted by her and spending her special day with her as my sister is over the Rainbow Bridge makes it even more special.
I have always rescued a pet and that is why this day, Remember Me Thursday is so dear to me.
What is this day?
Remember Me Thursday is on the last Thursday of September every year when we speak out for the orphan pets in shelters wanting homes, they are innocent and in many ways, we are to blame.
This is a day when we all get together campaigning for them as no innocent orphaned pet should have to die in a Shelter because someone dumped them there.
As Mike Arms, President and CEO of Helen Woodward Animal Center says : We all come from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds, but together, we can raise our voices and share one life-saving message and literally save millions of pets on this one day.”
You can read more about it on their website :
https://remembermethursday.org/about/
How can we shine a light on:
- Attend a Remember Me Thursday event near you. –
- You can find the events near you on Google or on the website above.Hold a pet food plus other pet related items fundraiser for your local shelter.
- Check to see if one of your shelters in your area are having an adoption event.
- Speak out, encourage friends and family to adopt and open their homes to an orphan pet.
- There are so many ways we can all help, so let’s take one step forward today to do it.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our friends a Happy, Sweet, Healthy New Year as our New Year 5785 starts in the evening of the 2nd of October and our prayers are that the New Year will bring homes to all the orphaned pets. I will share with you next week all the yummy food Mom has told me about, I cannot wait.
With love and woofs from Nili
The weekend has arrived
Good morning Friends,
This is Nili barking orders at Mom as usual as I am her Boss like my sister Layla was.
The weekend has arrived, and I hope I will have some quality time with Mom as she has been crazy busy this week and today she has an eye appointment, oy vey that means she might be able to see all the mischief I am getting into lately.
I am really trying to be good, but the temptation is there all the time to do something naughty and then Mom gets angry with me. I have this week lost two balls so Mom is going to have to buy me more, she cannot find them and it was funny to see her on her hands and knees searching BOL. I have also chewed some of the pompoms off the blanket on the bed although there is no hole in the blanket phew as Mom told me if she finds a hole she is not getting me any treats for a week oy vey that is not fair.
My training is going slow, I am stubborn and my favorite is to play tug of war with the leash which makes Mom mad as she is scared she will fall so she has now put two leashes on my harness and if I start she drops it and walks with the other, and when I start with that one she picks up the other one, that is how I walks go and as Mom says her shoulders are sore from all the pulling. Mom has ordered me a no pull harness which she is hoping will ease it for us also as I love trying to chase the birds, skateboards, bicycles and whatever else moves plus of course all the food on the sidewalks which is yum but Mom says gross BOL.
Mom did take me last week to Uncle Paul to run and have fun which I had and am going again tomorrow and really excited, I run like crazy all around the garden, up and down the stairs and am loving it, even trying to catch the birds in the trees. I wish I could do it more often but as Mom says till I don’t listen to her and behave there will be no park time.
I am of course eating like a piggy oink oink although I am on diet, I love the biscuits which I got for the giveaway and wish I could reach the bag, but my favorite is to squeak the toys which keeps me busy and I have learnt I can keep busy by myself. You can see how I killed this toy as I did not like the song BOL. It is a Hanukkah song, but Hanukkah is not till December so maybe will get a new one. The best is to take all the toys out of the basket and leave them everywhere, did up the bed and hide a squeaky there so when Mom gets into bed it squeaks BOL, that is so much fun.
https://youtube.com/shorts/ddGTqJfFjNM?si=Fp-aZQK0SC4UzHLv
I am sure my sister is laughing, watching Mom struggle with my mischief ways and that makes it extra special for me as we are sharing the fun together.
Have a wonderful weekend, take lots of photos for memories and be safe
With woof and love from Nili
Woof it is my first Giveaway
Good morning, Friends,
This is Nili here barking orders at Mom while my sister watches from above and I am sure she is laughing as she used to do the same BOL.
I have been busy here, keeping Mom on her toes, making her walk a lot and had a fun day last Friday. Mom took me to Uncle Paul’s Garden where I ran around like a lunatic burning off energy and was so tired when I got home. It was so much fun. On Saturday Mom took me to the vet for a checkup. I am very healthy, have beautiful teeth and eyes and in a nutshell, she thought I was cute. Mom chuckled. The only thing she was worried about was being overweight so Mom has had to change things around.
https://youtube.com/shorts/WA_f2uFcNrA?si=eQl6mg6tsZQ8lFkW
My training is no more touch/treat but walking only with voice commands and the clicker. I am slowly getting used to it but here and there I forget and go crazy barking and lunging at dogs, bicycles, skateboards and runners. I need to improve so that Mom can take me to the dog park.
But Mom has been researching for healthy treats for me which I get when I get home from a walk instead if I have been good and she found these delicious biscuits which we have decided to share with you and do a giveaway, I positively approve them, they are hard, crunchy so good for my teeth.
What I got are:
Carrot/Peanut Butter: All natural ingredients: Wheat Flour, Corn Syrup, Sunflower Oil, Honey, Dried Carrots and Peanut Butter.
Blueberry/Banana: All natural ingredients: Wheat Flour, Corn Syrup, Sunflower Oil, Honey, Dried Blueberries and Dried Bananas
Pumpkin/Green Pea: All natural ingredients: Wheat Flour, Corn Syrup, Sunflower Oil, Honey, Dried Pumpkin and Dried Green Peas.
So, while Nili is crunching on one, we decided to share with our furry friends by doing the giveaway so that others can enjoy also especially as this is Nili’s first giveaway.
To check out their treats and other flavors here is the link:
https://digdefence.com/pages/premium-treats
Below is the Rafflecopter link for the entry form :
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/baa88aa68/?
We were sponsored by the company to do this giveaway, and it is open for the USA only. People over 18 may enter.
So, while I go take a nap with a fully tummy, we want to wish all our friends’ good luck, have a wonderful weekend and please be safe,
Woof and hugs from
Nili
National Disaster Preparedness Month
Woof hello Everyone,
This is Nili here telling Mom what to write as I am carrying on my sisters Laylas Legacy.
September is National Disaster Preparedness Month; it is very important as we must be prepared for any type of Disaster especially with climate change happening all over the world and not knowing what can happen.
Because we live in San Francisco where earthquakes happen, we have a bag ready for emergencies with everything Mom can think of so that we do not have that worry if we must run out of the house. Since I have come to live with Mom, and having been a stray in my past life, Mom has added to the list a carrier for me so she can put me in it and not have to worry about me trying to run away or hurt myself walking on the debris in the streets. The plus with this carrier is that expands so that I will have room to stretch out plus Mom can put a water bowl or food in it. She would keep it closed for carrying but once in a safe place she would expand the sides and front. It also has a strap in it so she can strap me in, and I cannot run. It would give her peace of mind.
Thank you Mr Peanuts for this amazing carrier, you can see their fantastic products on their website :
This is what is in our bag which Mom has and it on wheels so it is easier for her to pull as it is heavy: Boxes of Water, Food for both of us, Treats, Flashlights with batteries, sleeping bag for Mom, toys for me of course, Leash and harness with ID tags on, and BOL some coffee for Mom, and most important a first aid kit for both of us. We also have a wallet with cash in just in case ATMs are not working so I feel Mom has covered everything. If you think she has forgotten something, please tell Mom so she can add it to our bag. I also keep my phone charged so that it will be charged if I must grab it and go out.
Now for something different, Mom surprised me last Friday and took me to meet a friend of hers who has a beautiful garden and two dogs, Dash and Storm and I had so much fun. They did not want to play with me, but it is ok as I ran around the garden playing with a ball and as Mom said burnt off lots of energy, it was so much fun to be able to run around and she told me that because I was so good she is taking me today also. WOW life is getting to be fun although as she says I must behave myself when walking there and listen to her BOL. I am trying though and slowly doing what she wants.
So that is what is happening here, Mom is trying to get me out more plus meet other dogs, the more I behave the more I will have adventures. Have a wonderful weekend everyone, with lots of hugs and woofs, Nili
September Pet Holidays and Awareness Month
September has arrived and that means a new list of holidays and awareness for us pets.
Month
- Animal Pain Awareness Month
- Happy Cat Month
- National Service Dog Month
- National Pet Insurance Month
- Responsible Dog Ownership Month
- Pet Sitter Education Month
- Pet Memorial Month
- National Disaster Preparedness Month
- National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
- National Food Safety Education Month
Week
- September 8–14 | Suicide Prevention Week
- September 15–21 | National Farm Health and Safety Week
- September 16–22 | Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week (third week in September)
- September 22–28 | National Deaf Pet Awareness Week (last full week in September)
- September 22–28 | National Dog Week (last full week in September)
Day
- September 1 | Ginger Cat Appreciation Day
- September 2 | National Wildlife Day
- September 5 | National White Cat Day
- September 8 | National Dog Walker Appreciation Day
- September 8 | National Iguana Awareness Day
- September 8 | National Hug Your Hound Day (second Saturday in September)
- September 8 | National Pet Memorial Day (second Sunday in September)
- September 10 | World Suicide Prevention Day
- September 13 | Pet Birth Defect Awareness Day
- September 15 | National Pet Carbon Monoxide Safety Day
- September 17 | National Pet Bird Day
- September 19 | National Meow Like a Pirate Day
- September 21 | Puppy Mill Awareness Day (third Saturday in September)
- September 21 | Responsible Dog Ownership Day (third Saturday in September)
- September 21 | National Cat and Dog Gut Health Awareness Day
- September 23 | Dogs in Politics Day
- September 23 | Adopted Dog Day
- September 26 | Remember Me Thursday® (an international social media awareness day that brings attention to the millions of adoptable pets waiting in shelters and remembers those pets who never got a second chance. Share your rescue pet using #RememberMeThursday)
- September 28 | World Rabies Day
- September 28 | International Rabbit Day
- September 30 | National Puppy Mill Survivor Day
Have a wonderful safe September Everyone,
With a woof and hug from Nili
National Holistic Pet Day
TGIF! Good morning, friends, can you believe August is nearly over and we have 4 months till the end of the year. That is crazy as the year has gone so fast and so much has happened in the Layla Neighborhood. This is Nili speaking as I am sure you know my sister is running and playing over the Rainbow Bridge and I have stepped in to speak for her and all our friends all over the world.
Today is National Holistic Pet Day, which is very important as we need to raise awareness of holistic pet wellness and health, and we depend on human parents to keep us healthy. What that means is that we humans must consider holistic health by considering their diet, environment and lifestyle. Are you doing that? I do not have any chemicals in the house, I clean everything with Apple Cider Vinegar so the house is chemical free.
Since adopting Nili I have done some changes and of course added supplements as I am trying to figure out what is the best diet for her, yes, I home cooked for Layla but am looking more into the raw diet for her, trying different foods out till I find the one that I think is best for her. She is still a young dog, full of energy and was a stray so building up her immune system is one of my first priorities. Layla was on an amazing senior supplement from Vetericyn called All In 1 for seniors and they have for all ages, so I have put Nili on the adult one, and as she loves eating LOL, she gobbles it down each morning. The one plus with it is it has a calming ingredient in it which makes it easier for training also as she is not so hyperactive and more focused.
Another reason I swear by their products is they have fantastic skin products for dogs which helped Layla a lot so knowing that I have them for Nili now also and I know she is getting the best.
You can read more about them on their website : https://vetericyn.com/
Nili has pearly white beautiful teeth, no plaque no nothing so I am focused on keeping her teeth that way by using the Tropiclean Dental Products, I am cleaning her teeth with their Water Additive which has no taste so she does not know she is drinking it, their Brushing Gel which I am using a finger brush to clean her teeth with, this is still a work in progress but she will slowly get used to it, and I also have minty Dental Wipes to use on her teeth if I cannot brush them as she is resisting.
You can read more about them on their website : https://www.tropiclean.com/
I also each night as a last treat gets a dental chew, so she goes to sleep with clean teeth and good smelling breath.
And then of course there are the mushrooms which I swear by and Nili every night gets the Real Mushrooms Relax to calm her down and settle for the night which has made a big difference as her last night walk is calmer, and once home she settles down and goes to sleep till about 6 in the morning.
Their website is: https://shop.realmushrooms.com/?ref=488
Her training is on top of the list also, and a friend of mine has given me a clicker which seems to be slowly working. Nili is very treat motivated so am giving her carrots as treats as they are not fattening and she loves them. I have been giving them to her in her Kong also, but we have now lost the Kong as I cannot find it, so I am stuffing carrots into a snuffle toy which keeps her busy. Unfortunately, till her training is not perfect as possible I cannot take her to the park to run as I cannot take the chance, and she needs to learn first. Thank goodness I have friends with gardens and they being great letting me take her to them to run wild and let off some energy.
So today being National Holistic Pet Day we need to remember that it is not only what they eat, but their lifestyle and environment is just as important to keep them healthy and whatever steps we can take is for everyone’s benefit in the end.
I am now going to squeak some toys as my job is done for the day,
Have a wonderful weekend everyone,
With love and woofs from Nili
What a week
TGIF!! It is finally the weekend, and I really need it, Nili the energizer bunny does not slow down from morning to night. I love her to death, and she is so busy, it is cute but exhausting LOL.
Last weekend Gidget came to spend two days with us, one night. I have been dog sitting Gidget for over four years, I know her quirks, her naughtiness and I adore her but last weekend was a nightmare. Gidget did not like Nili and they fought nonstop. I did not sleep as I was worried they would fight during the night. Gidget guarded my bed and would not let Nili on it, and if she did get on the bed there was a lot of growling so I would lie between the two of them to keep peace, Nili was just as much to blame in someways as she would bounce around on the floor, barking at Gidget wanting to play and it was not happening. To cut a long story short, my arms are blue with bruises, wounds here and there, and I concluded that there will never be a friendship between these two. Nili is ok with Nigel spending time in my house, so it was not the first time I had a doggy visitor in the house. It was a lesson for me also and something that I must work on with Nili.
Nili met with a trainer on Monday, I learnt to use the command circle when she sees another dog with a treat in my hand and it is slowly working phew, the other command was touch which makes her smell my hand where there is a treat to get her to focus on my hand and not let her get distracted which is slowly working and she now does not try jump and run after people, skateboards, or cyclists. It is a work in progress and hopefully soon walking will be fun. She must learn to stop playing tug of war with her leash when I put her harness on which I am working on also. Nili is a clever girl, the trainer said it to me, but she knows how to manipulate me also LOL and I have to not let that happen. It is like any relationship we work together to get that happy balance and that is what I am working on.
After the meeting we went to my friend’s garden to hang out and relax in the sun, it actually was so hot we moved into the shade, but it was great to just sit back, relax and enjoy the outdoors. The plus with the garden is Nili can run freely about sniffing and exploring with no worries as she cannot get out. She was one happy tired girl when we got home but it was just what the doctor needed, she napped all afternoon LOL.
She met on the way home a cute little dog that looks like her and they tried playing but both were on leash but it was cute and relaxed me in the way that she does want to play but little fluffy dogs are the answer so I cannot wait for her to be ready for a Shi Tzu meet up where she will have fun. I am wondering if she is afraid of big dogs as being a stray something could have happened in her past.
I also got dental chews this week for her as I am trying to keep her teeth pearly white the way they are now so before bed at night she gets one and that is her last treat for the night, she loves them which is great as I know she is going to sleep with clean teeth.
So life has been busy, am out and about when I have to go, I am leaving her at home till she is fully trained, she loves her squeaky toys and keeps herself busy when I am not at home and how I know is all the toys on the floor LOL, I also got her a Kong which I stuff with carrots and she cannot get enough of that so am happy that she is happy plus of course the window watch which she loves.
And we must not forget, August is Empty the Shelters month and we need to keep speaking out for the shelter dogs and help them get homes, especially as the shelters are overflowing and so many are needing homes.
Before Nili goes to bed, we want to say a special thank you shout out to Anne from us for introducing Nili to everyone, we are truly honored, you can read about it on her blog on this link : https://zoolatry.blogspot.com/2024/08/nili-our-friend.html
Have a wonderful weekend everyone, thank you for dropping by to say hi, hug your fur kids tight
With woof and love
Nili
Living with a younger dog
Woof Everyone, the weekend has arrived, and I am so looking forward to it. I need to charge my batteries as Nili is keeping me on my toes all the time LOL.
After living with a senior dog for more than 3 years (Layla was with me for over 14 years) and now adopting a young pup I am learning a lot and realizing sometimes how Layla spoiled me with her calm personality when she was younger. One of the big differences I have learned is that Layla was dumped in a shelter whereas Nili was a stray and there is a big difference there. They both were the same age when I got them but personality wise very different. Nili is a wild child.
I am learning daily from this and have no regrets as I adore Nili but she is a work in process till we get her trained properly so life will be easier for both of us, and I will be then able to take her on proper adventures. She is learning fast but there are things that need to be corrected and since her being spayed last week I have put all on hold so that I could focus on her healing with no complications. One of the things the vet made me understand was that she was not to jump on anything and have short walks which was difficult as she is a bundle of energy and unfortunately not burning it all off as she is not allowed to play with toys either. To help with this I decided to sleep on the floor next to her so she would not jump on the bed, it has not been easy for me, and I have not slept properly plus Nili thinks it’s a game and she is wanting cuddles and playtime with me when I am trying to sleep. So, I am functioning on lack of sleep at this moment and slowly collapsing from exhaustion. She is on a sedative to keep her calm, but it is not working as well as I was hoping LOL. Her wound thank goodness is healing well, and hopefully tomorrow, Friday the cone will come off and life will get back to sort of normal. I am giving her CBD oil at night to really get her calm and sleepy and we finally have got to her sleeping till about 6 in the morning but when she is awake that’s it, she is wanting to go out. That is one of the main issues I have with her as she runs out on her leash barking at the world which needs to stop. She has realized that I have treats in my pocket so in the middle of a walk she will sit down and not move till she gets a treat, who is the boss in the family HA.
We are meeting with a dog trainer on Monday which hopefully will help me solve all the problems although I know Rome was not built in one day, but praying things will fall into place soon.
On Saturday Gidget is coming to spend the weekend with us, two days only, which is going to be interesting to see how Nili reacts, this was something I had arranged with Gidget’s Mom months ago so chaos will be in the house for two days, but they are so similar in personality it is going to be fun plus good for Nili to have someone to play with. My house I know is going to be a total disaster.
Another thing I have to keep reminding myself is that Layla was a picky eater where as Nili eats anything she can get her mouth on so I am now realizing that shopping for her is actually quite easy and I am relieved. She loves her squeaky toys, bully sticks keep her busy so we are getting there with that. One thing she hates is having her teeth cleaned and hides at the front door every night when I put the teeth gel in her mouth but will not give in as her teeth are perfect at this moment and I want to keep them that way.
We must not forget that August is clear the shelters month, and watching what is going on in this country is breaking my heart daily, and we must spread the word and push for the banning of Puppy Mills and Backyard Breeders plus get all pet stores to stop selling puppies, hopefully that way it will help the problem.
I am open to all ideas for training Nili if you have any,
Have a peaceful fun weekend and don’t forget to hug your pets, I am off to bed,
With a woof and love
From Nili and Me
Nili has been home two weeks today
Nili has been home two weeks today and for those that say rescues take time to settle in, this Madam has taken over the house LOL.
She is going to get spayed tomorrow, (Friday) which I am relieved that I got an earlier appointment which means we must be at the SPCA at 7.15 am to do check in and will be there till about 4 pm. Yes, I am worried but also have all the faith in the vets. Once that is done, and she has healed, we can get on with our lives with lots of training and adventures. She must fast from 11 pm tonight but will survive with no food or treats till after the surgery. She is allowed to drink water though. I do not have any regrets spaying her as there are so many unwanted puppies and mature dogs in the shelters that are desperate for homes, and I do not want an accident and then be part of the problem. Spaying or Neutering is a must for all our pets. People can argue with me about this issue, but I stand firmly on this subject and nothing will make me change my mind.
This month is clear the shelters month, which is so important as they are over flowing and the more shelter dogs or cats that get adopted the less in the shelters and then less pets will be euthanized which breaks my heart, as innocent animals are being killed to make room for more and none have any say in it and that is why we need to speak out for the voiceless so their voices can be heard.
Now that I have spoken out for the voiceless which is Layla’s legacy, I am going to share what has been happening here. Nili went on first adventure last Saturday to visit a friend of mine in his garden which gave her some outdoor time and freedom off leash. I took her on public transport in the backpack which she did not like but with patience and love she will get used to it. It is much safer than her being in my life especially if the train or bus is full. I strapped her into the backpack, but Madam managed to get out and a passenger caught her as she was dangling from it. She could not go far phew and I put her back in with some firm words and then she sat in in the rest of the way but was very happy to get out of it when we got to our destination. She is very devious and smart, knows what she wants and will do anything to get her own way, but it is not working as I do not give in.
She wakes up at 6 each morning and does not stop till about 9 at night after last walk. Her appetite is great, and she loves treats. Now talking about treats, she has a secret admirer as she got a parcel this week of Bully Sticks and Biscuits from not sure who as there was no sender address or name on the envelope, I have asked everyone, and no one has an answer for me. So, am stuck with the question who sent it?
https://youtube.com/shorts/p8LT6kCYNpw?si=f3mKu6DxH0ViBhvt
Otherwise, she loves her squeaky toys and plays with them nonstop, keeps herself occupied which is awesome and she is okay with me leaving her at home for a couple of hours when I need to, so I am very blessed to have her share my life.
So life in this neighborhood is going great, I have no complaints and cannot wait to start enjoying outdoors again, have a wonderful weekend everyone, please be safe and hug your pets tightly making memories
With a woof and love
From Nili