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Celebrate Canines During National Dog Week

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Canine lovers, prepare! National Dog Week returns September 18th and runs through the 24th!

What is National Dog Week? According to Petfirst.com, it is a “week-long celebration of man’s best friend [that] focuses on educating dog owners and the public, raising awareness about dog care, and helping lost, homeless, or abused dogs find homes.”

National Dog Week got its start in 1928. World War I veteran and canine advocate Captain William Lewis Judy decided to create a week that would educate people about the responsibilities of dog ownership. In that era, it was not uncommon to find a significant number of dogs chained up in backyards with their dog houses.

Judy was a founder of the Dog Writers Association of America and used his platform to educate and celebrate the many benefits from canine companionship. 

Let’s cover some ways that you can take part in celebrating this week. We will give you tips, inspired by PetFirst.com, that you can use whether you have a dog or not. 

If you have a dog:

  • Play with your pooch for an extra 10 minutes.
  • Extend your walk time by a few minutes.
  • Hire a pet photographer to do a photoshoot of you and your dog.
  • Adopt. Dogs are social creatures and most enjoy the company of another canine. If you dog spends a great deal of time alone at home and their temperament (and your budget permits) consider adopting a shelter pup.

If you don’t have a dog:

  • Look into adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue organization.  Help a friend adopt a dog in need of a loving home.
  • Donate to a local shelter. You can donate your time, cash, or items.
  • Volunteer for a rescue or a shelter.
  • Walk shelter dogs. Time spent with an animal at a shelter provides them with companionship and love.
  • Gift a toy or treat to a friend’s dog.

No matter how you approach the week, do something special for either your own or an adjacent dog. Consider ways you can enhance dog education in your community. Or just offer some extra love to the canines in your orbit. Tell us about your adventures this week. 

National Pet Week Starts May 1st

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National Pet Week began back in 1981. It is celebrated during the first week of May. The American Veterinarian Medical Association (AVMA) helped create this week that celebrates pets and encourages the best possible care of our companion animals. 

The AVMA  themes each day that you can check out by clicking here.

You probably won’t be surprised by many of the recommendations. But it is always good to see if you can make any improvements. Many of the tips can be applied to the human beings in the household, not just the pet.

For example, the AVMA recommends proper nutrition and exercise for your pet. What better way to improve your own life by being active with your best friend? Finding an exercise routine that both your pet and you can share is an essential joy that has long lasting benefits.

Unsurprisingly, they recommend regular checkups and screenings, particularly as your pet reaches the senior years. Just like humans, the preventive measures you take could extend the quality and longevity of your pet’s life. 

You could also review preparation protocols for travel and review the latest procedures for handling an emergency event. 

Whether you are looking to find a pet or already have one, your veterinarian is a great resource for making sure you understand all the facets required for a healthy, happy pet.

Let us know how you plan to celebrate National Pet Week. 

National Dog Mom Day Is May 8th

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As a native West Virginian I know the backstory behind Mother’s Day. But did you know there’s a National Dog Mom Day?

Back in 2018, the personal dating app Dig – an app designed for people with dogs – established the holiday. National Dog Mom Day happens the Saturday before Mother’s Day.

While the pandemic may still limit some of the things that can be done to celebrate, we think that any holiday that involves your dog is a winner.

And according to a survey by rover.com, 3 out of 4 ladies consider themselves dog moms, not just pet parents.  [Read more…] about National Dog Mom Day Is May 8th

Floofins and Company Celebrates 10 Years In Business

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Floofins & Co. celebrates their tenth birthday today.

Ten years means we have a lot of memories. We have lots of lessons learned and a bunch of great stories. We have great clients. And we had planned to celebrate with a number of ideas we’ve been discussing since last year. Ways to say thanks for keeping us busy and referring us to your friends and neighbors.

And as we’ve learned over the years, even the best laid plans can get knocked off course. We couldn’t have imagined the way 2020 was going to shape up.

First, we learned that NAPPS had named us their 2020 Business of the Year. It is an incredible honor and one that we wanted to celebrate with both staff and clients. Because we know that without both, our business would not be what it is today. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Like all small businesses, we are trying to weather this current shelter-in-place order. We continue to provide service to our clients working as essential service members, our staff as they manage smaller routes, and still keep the lights on at Floofins HQ. It has been challenging, but we are hanging in there with all of you.

We know that you want to get back to normal as soon as possible and so do we. We miss your floofins!

Until that time arrives, we plan to do as much of our 10-year anniversary celebration as we can manage. We will be doing a video series in the coming months highlighting the top 10 questions you have about Floofins & Co. Have you wondered how something works? What it take to have a dog walking company? What courses we teach at Floofin U? You ask and we will answer! Send your questions to info@floofinsandco.com with the subject line Video Questions. If you’re feeling adventurous, send us a video of you or your floofin asking your question.

Thanks for being with us during the last ten years and we hope to be back out at full capacity caring for your floofins soon.

National Mutt Day

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For those of us with mix breed dogs in our lives, we have two days to celebrate them! The first date is July 31st and the second day of celebration comes on December 2nd. What, you may be asking, is National Mutt Day?

According to nationalmuttday.com, this holiday, also known as National Mixed Breed Dog Day, was created by Colleen Paige in 2005. Paige is a celebrity pet and family lifestyle expert. National Mutt Day allows individuals to celebrate and save mixed breed dogs. 

The website states that the day’s mission is to “educate the public about the sea of mixed breed dogs that desperately await new homes and to celebrate the amazing characteristics that the mix of breeds creates in each individual dog”.

If you are thinking about adding a new pooch to the family, consider heading out to the shelter on National Mutt Day to find your new floofin!  If you can’t adopt a mixed breed friend on July 31st or December 2nd, remember that shelters are open to donations or even volunteer assistance. You can walk dogs, donate food, or supplies. Rescue groups can also use foster assistance or dog beds or toys or other supplies.