National Love Your Pet Day is celebrated on February 20. Whether cats, dogs, birds, or even tigers, our furry friends are showered with love and affection on this day! The day encourages pampering our pets and focusing on the special relationships our companions hold in our lives.
Most households have at least one pet, more have dogs than cats, but not by much. Although most pets are either of the canine or feline categories, quite a few prefer the companionship of birds, reptiles, fish, rabbits, or rats. No matter if your friend is furred or feathered, has four paws of two legs, the owners reap the benefits of pets helping lower their blood pressure, reduce anxiety, depression, and relieve us from our daily stress.
Pets have been a part of human life for thousands of years. Ever since we took our first steps into civilization, animals have been right alongside us. Nobody knows exactly what animal the first pet was but one animal, the wolf, lived among early humans for centuries. As far back as 12,000 years ago, dogs and cats were buried alongside in their owners’ graves. It seems early humans had a deep attachment to their furry friends.
Domestication of animals dates to 10,00 BC when wolves were believed to have been transformed from their wild state. The wolf was the predecessor to the modern-day dog. Cats may have been domesticated as far back as 7500 BC by the Ancient Egyptians. In 3000 BC colorful parrots were domesticated by Ancient Romans and kept as pets in tropical places such as Brazil. They did not make their appearance in Europe until several hundred years later. Around 3100 BC evidence of the Ancient Egyptians kept dogs as working animals to assist in tasks such as hunting and guarding. In the 1600’s, European royalty began keeping toy breed dogs as lap dogs. Pet birds were the choice of Spain among all classes well into the 1960’s. The earliest known photograph of a dog was taken in the 1850’s and was titled “Poodle with Bow on Table”. No matter the breed or when domestication began, the love we have for them created this wonderful day of celebration. Pets are one of our most treasured bonds in our everyday life, so enjoy the day. A few ideas are listed below but you know best how to spend not only the day but the lifetime you have with them.
How to celebrate National Love Your Pet Day.
- Give your pet a special treat!
- Take your pet for an extra-long walk.
- Give them your undivided attention.
- Check that their vaccines are up to date.
- Watch a pet video with them with cats, dogs, and other critters.
- Play their favorite game or play with their favorite toy.
- Throw out any broken or old toys.
- Wash their bedding or give them a new comfortable one.
- Scratch or rub them in their favorite places.
- Take pictures and post on your social network.
- Pet sit for a friend.
One of the best options to celebrate the day is to donate to a local shelter or adopt a forever pet.
Mon Valley Paws 