Paws Up!

It’s almost National Puppy Day; let’s start celebrating now.

Do you have plans for Thursday, March 23? How about celebrating National Puppy Day?

Established in 2006 by author Colleen Paige, National Puppy Day is meant to focus attention on homeless puppies—and by extension, other homeless animals. The day also celebrates the “magic and unconditional love that puppies bring into our lives,” according to the event’s official website.

Want to celebrate your own puppy’s magic and unconditional love on National Puppy Day? Consider one of these ways suggested by the website, or come up with your own unique ways to make sure your puppy knows you love him.

1. Adopt a puppy from your local shelter, rescue or pure breed rescue organization.
2. Donate money, food or toys to your local shelter or animal rescue group.

3. Have a puppy party and invite all your friends and their puppies.

4. Join a fun, dog friendly community online and post pictures of your puppy for the world to ooh and ahh over.
5. Volunteer at your local shelter and offer to help by walking a puppy or playing with a puppy, cleaning cages or rolling up your sleeves to help with anything else on their to-do list.
6. Buy your puppy a fun, new toy.
7. Give your puppy some fun exercise by taking him for a walk around the block or up to the local dog park.
8. Brush your puppy to eliminate excess fur.
9. Train your puppy to walk on a leash.
10. Buy your puppy a fashionable collar and leash.
11. Have a T-shirt made with your puppy’s photo on it.
12. Puppy-proof your home and yard to keep him safe from hazards.
13. Install a car safety harness to keep your puppy safe during travel.
14. Hire a pet photographer to capture your puppy’s fleeting moments.
15. Buy your puppy a comfy new bed.

16. Take your puppy on a pet friendly vacation.

17. Buy a puppy gate to keep your puppy out of hazardous areas of the home.
18. Microchip & I.D. Tag your puppy so the shelter can locate you if he gets lost.
19. Make sure your puppy is up to date on his vaccines and has a regular health exam.
20. Teach your puppy some fun tricks.

For more information about National Puppy Day, go to nationalpuppyday.com, or follow one of the event’s official social media channels:

Instagram: @nationalpuppyday

Facebook: facebook.com/nationalpuppyday

Twitter: @Natl_PuppyDay

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About the Author: Stacy N. Hackett is an award-winning writer with more than 25 years’ experience in the pet industry. She is the former editor of Pet Product News and a former staff editor with Cat Fancy, Cats USA, Critters USA and Ferrets USA. To learn more about her work, visit stacynhackett.vpweb.com.