Dog Dad Zack Manko and his dog Sorcha know the importance of remembering our pets that have crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
September hosts some heavy hitters as far as pet and dog days go. This month is home to National Pet Memorial Day, an event we take seriously here at Pet Perennials. Additionally, the Groom Expo, the world’s largest grooming convention, falls during this month. It is also home to Puppy Mill Awareness Day, an important event focused on ending puppy mills.
Let’s break down some of the events you (or your dog) can sink your (their) teeth into this month—metaphorically, of course.
National Dog Walker Day
The 8th of September is National Dog Walker Appreciation Day. These professionals are an important part of the pet industry, and a life saver for many pet owners. They provide companionship for our furry friends—as well as much needed relief—when we are not able to.
There are many ways you can take part in this day and show appreciation to your dog walker. You could gift them with some of their favorite snacks or put together a gift basket. If they are a professional with their own profile or website, leave them a glowing review and share it wherever you can.
Want to go simpler? How about leaving them a hand-written thank you note? Of course, no one is going to deny a bigger tip either!
However, you do it, if you use a dog walker, show them some appreciation this month!
National Pet Memorial Day
The loss of a pet can be difficult to say the least. Sadness, confusion, and a sense of being lost are all common. In many cases, losing a pet can be as hard as losing any other loved one.
The mission of Pet Perennials is to create a personalized way to bring comfort to families going through pet loss experiences. As such, our company supports all efforts to commemorate pets both past and present, whether they are sympathetic acts carried out by individuals for those they know are grieving, or national holidays and events.
One such larger, organized event is National Pet Memorial Day. This day of commemoration falls on the second Sunday in September, falling on the 10th here in 2023.
The purpose of this day is to be an opportunity to celebrate, honor, and remember our companions that have passed. The event is organized by the International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories, which “is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the standards, ethics, and professionalism of pet cemeteries and crematories around the world.”
There are many ways you can take part in National Pet Memorial Day. For example, you could plant a memorial garden in their honor, perhaps in their favorite spot in the yard. If someone you know is grieving, you could use this day as an opportunity to reach out to them and support them in their time of bereavement.
Pet Perennials offers a range of personalized pet loss gifts to help such conversations easier. They are a great way to break the ice on a difficult subject, or to help a family or individual properly grieve and honor their pets that have passed on.
Register for a Gift Perks Account
The Groom Expo
More than just a convention, the Groom Expo is the world’s largest grooming show, inviting thousands of pet-based professionals from all over the globe. It is a dog show mega event!
The premier event at the Groom Expo is the Groom Olympics. This contest has categories from beginner to expert, with big prize money on the line. Who will walk away with the trophy? Watch the live event on the GroomerTV page.
In addition to traditional grooming contests, there are also creative endeavors. For example, the Abstract Creative Runway highlights unorthodox designs and decorations. There’s even a rescue roundup competition, with the participants walking away with new homes to call their own.
In addition to the main event grooming competitions, there are many other reasons to attend. The Groom Expo offers a trade show floor where vendors and businesses from all over will share their wares. Come see the state-of-the-art equipment, get a great show floor deal, browse boutique items, and return home with some new goodies!
Visit PetPerennials.com Booth 80 Groom Expo Hershey
Additionally, the Groom Expo offers dozens of educational seminars. From styling sessions to grooming business essentials, come learn and grow so you can develop your company. There will be speakers from every aspect of the industry, including groomers, veterinarians, business owners, and more. They will be sharing their tips, views, and strategies, so come and learn from the best of the best.
The event runs from September 7-10th, 2023, so come check it out in Hershey, PA!
Puppy Mill Awareness Day
Each year, we like to highlight the efforts of Awarenessday.org and their Puppy Mill Awareness Day. The goal of this organization is to educate and raise awareness of the awful practice of puppy mills so that they can be stopped. They also rescue and rehabilitate animals that come from these facilities.
Getting a pet is a big commitment, and while you may have thought about the breed and age you want, have you thought about where you will look for your new furry friend? There are many responsible options, such as from a responsible breeder or a shelter. Rescuing a shelter dog is nice, and going with a breeder can improve the overall health of the breed.
However, you should avoid puppy mills at all costs. These abhorrent places are more like dog factories, with “maximum output” favored over the cleanliness, health, and happiness of the animals there. They are essentially commercial breeding facilities.
So, be aware of puppy mills when searching for a new pet. If you want to do more to stop puppy mills, check out Awarenessday.org.
Day For All Time
September hosts some major pet holidays and causes. These events are wonderful opportunities to celebrate a lost loved one, learn something new, see a dog competition, or get smart about how you source a pet.
Remember, pets stay with us all our lives, so make every decision count.
Happy September!
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