Celebrating National Pet Month

We’re a few days late marking the start of National Pet Month as I had to be away from home at the beginning of the week and yesterday we were travelling all day, arriving in France for our Easter break. But we’re here now, and although much of the month will be spent outside the UK, we are keen to help spread the message behind National Pet Month: as pets give us so much joy, love and companionship this calls for some wholehearted celebration.

We are huge advocates of enjoying life fully with our pets, we consider them to be intrinsic members of our family and treat them as such. Much of our life revolves around making their life as fulfilling as possible. For dogs like Susie-Belle and Twinkle who never knew anything akin to family before leaving the puppy farm, we are duty bound to ensure they never feel anything less than being essential to happy family life now. But, it’s not duty that drives us. We love that they are as central to our lives as we are to them. This to us is what having pets in our lives should be about. Pets are not appendages, accessories, novelty purchases. They are family. Our dogs are respected and loved as individuals and always will be to the end of their days. Just as any family member.

Sadly, we know that not everyone who brings a dog into their lives sees them this way. Rescue shelters all attest to how disposable pets are to some people. When the novelty has worn off, or the cute puppy has become the bigger, boisterous adult dog it was always going to be, the dumping off at shelters is an easy, guilt-free solution for those who see pets as non-family. If people understood better what the responsibilities of pet ownership are, for the duration of their pets lifetime – not the duration of the novelty of having a pet, as this may not be the same thing – relinquishing of pets to shelters may be a lot less, adoption of pets from shelters may be a lot more. I’ve said many times here that if people understood more about sourcing their puppies wisely, taking their time to research not only the breeds they are interested in but the breeders selling puppies, more dogs like Susie-Belle would be saved the misery she was trapped in for years. We are donating a signed copy of our book to National Pet Month with the hope we may play a small role in sharing this side of pet ownership with the winner of the book.

Activities being held around the country in celebration of National Pet Month, found on their interactive map include fundraising events for charities, educational ones organised by veterinary practices and plenty more. I’m sure you’ll find something nearby to take your interest. If we weren’t in France, I could well be popping along to a Tea & Cake event I spotted!

The aims of National Pet Month include this:

• To promote responsible pet ownership
• Make people aware of the mutual benefits of living with pets
• Increase public awareness of the role of pet care specialists
• Raise awareness of the value of working and assistance companion animals

We are delighted to offer support as it sits full square with how we view life with our dogs. How we celebrate every single day with them. They deserve nothing less.