National Dog Holidays in April
Our furry best friends are always there for us, and they absolutely deserve a hug from their dog parents on these pet-themed holidays.
Adding a dog to your family is a decision that can have many positive impacts mentally and emotionally. Dogs bring so much to our lives, whether it is encouraging us to get outside for a walk or reminding us that it is always a good time for a treat. In the month of April, we have two dog-themed holidays to celebrate our pets—but let’s take some time to remember why we are celebrating them in the first place.
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Holidays Are for the Dogs
April offers two pet-themed holidays that are perfect for spending time with your favorite furry friends. The first, National Hug Your Dog Day, which rolls around on April 10, is all about showing your dog some love with a proper puppy hug (as long as your furry friend likes hugs, of course).
The second, which arrives the day after on April 11, is National Pet Day—a day designed to help you celebrate the pets you know and love. This day is all about showing your appreciation for your pets and giving them a little extra attention. Celebrating both holidays is a great way to blow your pup’s mind with nonstop celebrations. They’ll wag so hard they won’t know what to do!
Pro Tip—For dogs that don’t appreciate being hugged, a pat on the head or a high-five can be a wonderful alternative while still ensuring that your dog gets the attention they deserve on this extra special day!
What Dogs Bring to Families
Bringing a pet into your family is a huge and important decision to make. When we adopt a pet to bring into our homes, we are agreeing to make them a part of the family and care for them for their time on this planet. It’s a really big commitment, but it is also one that dog parents make around the world.
There are so many different reasons that a family might want to have a dog join their little unit, and sometimes pets have a funny way of finding us at a time when we need them most. Welcoming a pet into the family isn’t just an act of kindness to them. Dogs can bring so much to our families, and there are some really amazing lasting impacts that come with this. Let’s explore a few.
Unconditional Love and Connection
Pets form a unique bond with human beings that most of us would consider to be very different from the bonds that we form with other people. When you adopt a pet, you’ll find that they seem to understand you on a different level, and they exist entirely outside of the confines of the bigger world around us. This makes them an amazing source of unconditional love and connection.
Unconditional love means, quite literally, love that is given without conditions. Pets offer this. Though they might be a little more interested in you when you’ve got a delicious snack in your hands, the fact remains that our pets love us through everything. They love us when we’re having bad days. They love us when we mess up at work or we are sad because of the clouds in the sky. No matter what is going on in your life, your dog will love you, and there is something really special and amazing about that.
Laughs for Ages
It is often said that laughter is the best medicine, and honestly, the studies really do back this claim. The good news is that this is yet another area where pets deliver. There is not a pawrent on this planet that hasn’t seen their pet do something absolutely ridiculous, and the laughs that come with it can be ongoing.
Pets all have individual personalities, and that can certainly lead to some funny moments. It might be the way they react when they see a new stuffed toy for the first time or the way their ears fall all wild when they run. Your dog is a living, breathing personality—and they can be wonderful for helping you to remember to smile, even at the end of a rough day.
Social Media Content
Though we would never advise anyone to adopt a dog just for social media, we can say that they do offer some adorable social media benefits. Pet videos are one of the most popular trends on the internet, but there is more to this kind of content than simply sharing a funny video of your dog.
By now, most of us are well-aware of the fact that social media is an effective tool for communication. Whether you’re just sharing a window into your life with family and friends or you’re working on cultivating a following, your dog is the perfect filler for social media.
You want to let your family know that you’re still alive even though you’ve been busy with work, but you having nothing substantial to share? Snap a quick pic of your pup. You need content to appease the Instagram algorithm for your business or personal brand? How about a quick video of your pet with a message about what you’re working on instead? Pups were born for the spotlight, and they can help us to reach out, even when we’re way too busy for our own good.
Comfort During Hard Times
We all have bad days, and that is an unavoidable fact. All the positivity in the world will not change the fact that sometimes, you won’t find a parking spot, you’ll be stuck in traffic, and your coffee shop will give you the wrong drink. Whether it’s a daily inconvenience or a devastatingly hard time that is going to change how you live your life, you can trust that your dog will be there for you.
There are moments in life where no words will help. No song will heal you like you want it to. No amount of coffee will give you the energy that you need to take on your laundry list of to-do items. And, on these days, it can be hard to be around other people. But somehow, even when everything else is wrong in the world, a nudge from a wet nose or a rub from a furry little head can make a huge difference.
How to Show Your Pup Some Appreciation
With everything that our dogs give us, it makes sense that we dog parents are looking for ways to give back. Whether you are bringing a new member into the family or you have been living with your furry friend for years, it is always a good time to show your pup some appreciation and remind them just how much you love them. Sometimes, a little bit of love can have your dog wagging for weeks.
Give Them a Big Ol' Hug
Dogs that love physical affection will always appreciate a good hug. You can choose how you want to approach this. Some dogs like to be hugged just like a human, others prefer to be pulled in for more of a middle school side-hug situation. Maybe your dog loves to be squished completely or scooped up like a baby. Every dog is different, and that is just one more thing that makes hugging your pup so wonderful. Find out what they like, and let them feel the love one big old squeeze at a time.
Buy Them Their Favorite Treat
All around the world, dogs enjoy different treats and snacks. Some of these treats are household items, like some plain chicken (cooked, of course) or a handful of blueberries. Others are pre-made, like the growing list of snazzy organic dog treats that are quickly becoming available. Maybe it’s something a little more mainstream, like a Pawbender from Good Times or a Puppucino from Starbucks. Your pup no doubt has something that they are absolutely crazy for, which is why it is always nice to give them their favorite goodies every once in a while. These two holidays are the perfect time to give your dog that extra special treat—but it can be nice to offer these goodies on a semi-regular basis too. Just be sure to ask your vet what an appropriate frequency is to keep your pup healthy!
Go On a Long Walk
Though some dogs prefer a cuddle and hours of napping, a lot of dogs really enjoy the time that they get to spend on a walk. Walking is a wonderful way to get your dog exercise, let them explore the world through their nose, and change up their scenery. With all these benefits, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that most dogs absolutely love heading out on a walk—and this is why a nice, long walk is such a wonderful reward for your pup. Instead of forcing them along the same old route, let them enjoy their time sniffing and exploring. Rather than focusing on the destination, just enjoy your time out with your dog. Trust us, they can tell the difference! Dogs are wonderful companions for a leisurely stroll.
Do Their Favorite Activity
Dogs, like people, have ways that they really enjoy spending their time. It might be running around at the dog park or chasing a ball in the backyard. Whatever your dog enjoys, you can celebrate this holiday (and other opportunities for quality time with your pup), by doing their favorite activity with them.
Get Them a New Dog Bed
Getting a new bed or pillow for humans is an opportunity to instantly upgrade sleep quality, and dogs are no different. Sure, your dog might like to spend their afternoons snoozing on the floor, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t enjoy a bit of luxury. Instead of having your pup use the same bed for a decade, why not consider upgrading them to a luxurious doggy experience so they can enjoy their naps more than ever before?
Set Up a Play Date
Play dates are a wonderful opportunity to socialize your dog and let them enjoy time with other people and pets. Doggy play dates can be meetups at the dog park or just sending your pup off with their grandpawrents for the day. It is all about allowing them to see someone new and enjoy themselves for some playtime!
Try Cuddling With Your Dog
Cuddling is a wonderful way to communicate love and affection, and it can also be very calming. Sometimes, your dog is getting in your space because they want to be closer to you, and a good cuddling session is the ultimate fix. Bring your pup nice and close, then settle in with a book or a movie. They will appreciate the comfort—and you will too!
How You Can Support Pets By Shopping With Us
We believe that pups deserve all of the love in the world, and that is why we do our part to support dogs in need. When you shop with us, a portion of the proceeds goes towards Hope for Paws, a pet rescue organization that helps save doggy lives every single day.
Soft & Durable
DOG HOODIE
Featuring a slit, so your pup can wear their favorite collar or harness underneath in this adorable dog hoodie, perfect chilly nightly walks.
We hold this organization near and dear to us because we know that they do good work and support abandoned animals, like our very own Willow. They work tirelessly to find foster dog parents and secure forever homes for dogs in need. This is just one more way we can celebrate pets for these holidays.
The Takeaway
Showing love and support for pets can differ from one family to the next. Sometimes it means donating to pet rescues, other times it means bringing home a rescue of your very own. What matters at the end of the day is that we each do our part to love and cherish the pets that bring so much to our lives. The month of April gives us plenty of opportunities to celebrate our pets and reflect on all of the love that they bring. They will appreciate the celebration, even if they don’t know what day it is!
Until next time, thank you for reading!
About the author: Gabrielle is the loving pawrent to adorable pups Willow and Dilla. Growing up surrounded by dogs, she always dreamt of having her own. Willow and Dilla came into her life and changed everything. Now, she's crazy about pampered pooches, and her perfect day involves dancing with her husband, dressing up her furbabies, and cuddling them to sleep. For Gabrielle, life is all about spreading love and joy with her adorable canine companions by her side.
