Wednesday, May 1, 2013

May is National Pet Month!

National Pet Month is a celebration of the benefits that pets bring to our lives and vice versa! In the UK it is celebrated in April, in the U.S. it is celebrated in May.

National Pet Month's aims are to:

Promote the benefits of pet ownership
Back on November 13, 2012 I did a post about how: Pets Add Life and Giggles, Often When You Lease Expect It 

Support Pet Adoption
You can do this by visiting websites such as Petfinder,  where you can find over 300,000 adoptable pets from over 13,000 adoption groups!
This is an old and FUZZY photo
but you get the idea!

Make people aware of the benefits of pets for people and people for pets!
When you own a pet they can help ease depression and  lower blood pressure! To see more ways owning a pet can help you, watch the slideshow here

I stumbled upon a video (that you will see below), it reminded me of when my father-in-law was alive and living at Sunrise Assisted Living here in Michigan. There were various dogs and cats that Sunrise Assisted Living had adopted to bring some joy to the lives of the residents living there. Many in the Memory Unit couldn't remember their names or where they were from, but  animals living in the Nursing Home always brought a smile to their faces.

This is "Charlie" who I had featured in 2010. He was the "resident cat" for a while at the Sunrise facility in Farmington Hills Michigan, he has since crossed the bridge:





I do not know the Nursing Home featured in this video, but it shows just a portion of the joy that residents feel with animals on the premises.





National Pet Month also hopes to:

Increase public awareness of services available from professionals who work with animals

Raise awareness of the role, value and contribution to society of working companion animals.

My life would not be complete without the love of my pets
 and I am sure that you feel the same!




33 comments:

  1. Happy Pet Month! I don't think I could imagine a world without pets. Sammy was a real cutie - love the tongue!

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  2. Hi Caren and Cody!

    Thank you so much for sharing about this. I think it's wonderful, and I'll probably do a post of my own sometime this month about National Pet Month on Carmine's Orange Pages.

    My babies are companion animals. They help significantly with my depression, and they're tons better than medication!! :) I've always been a cat lover. My life really wouldn't be complete without at least one kitty in my life. I've been blessed with two amazing babies (and co-ownership of another).

    I'm so happy to see that some nursing homes are now adopting pets for the residents. That's something that always made me sad when I worked in nursing homes - I always thought the residents could benefit so much from having kitties and dogs around.

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  3. Pets bring so much joy. I don't go on vacations, even for a night but I can't imagine my life without my kids. :)

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  4. Well Cody, National Pet Month is an occasion we can ALL appreciate right? When my Mom's Mom was in a nursing home they had resident cats and some visiting dogs and it was wonderful to see the unconditional love being passed around! Let's hear it for US!

    Kitty Hugs, Sammy

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  5. Having worked in the Nursing Home industry for a number of years. Resident pets and pet therapy have huge benefits for improving depression in residents there.

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  6. What great programs. I think it is so sad when older people can't keep pets, so I love these programs.

    I am laughing at pets lowering your blood pressure. I think Lee has raised mine many, many times!

    Thanks for sharing!

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  7. This is a great post - but you don't have to convince us tha cats enrich our lives! I love the idea of cats bringing comfort in nursing homes.
    xxoo
    Maggie

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  8. I do like the dogs and cats that do the therapy work. It is so good for people to be in touch with animals. There is nothing better than owning animals.Great post.

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  9. Happy pet month. I am hoping that more folks are made aware of the benefits from having a furrie adopt them that there will be more forever homes for those needing one.

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  10. It's great to have a month like that to raise awareness. :)

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  11. Thanks for letting us know its Happy Pet Month
    Benny & Lily

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  12. I better keep national pet month on the down low. My cats already think they rule the roost.

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  13. I didn't know that may is national pet month. What i know is that may is world lupus month. This is nice to know. Thanks for sharing!

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  14. What a great Month! Thanks for all the great information!
    Kisses
    Nellie

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  15. We love this month! Our Dad is working extra hard to help get the word out! Purrs...

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  16. Thanks for reminding us! Purrs from our boys for a fab May Day!

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  17. cody..this commint haz nothin ta due with this post but we wanted ta say we hope yur dad bee A oh kay N on de road ta ree cover ree...tell him ta eat sum trout...he will be amazed at how much better him will feel like ina wee minit... rite after eatin it...

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    1. Hi Tabby gang! That was so kind of you! Thank you! I think I should make him some trout right now! Love, Cody

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  18. Happy Pet Month from Mum and me. If she didn't adopt me I don't know where I'd be right now. I wish all animals could be as lucky as me and find their forever homes.

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  19. National Pet Month... sigh... I am so far behind in my causes, but this sure is an important one. I am thankful everyday for the blessings my pets bring me and I hope that more and more people will start to adopt a pet as a result of reading posts like yours about how wonderful they are to have as companions.

    Glad Lenny is home safe and sound too!

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  20. Woo hoo for National Pet Month! Cody, we want to say that we are sorry we missed the post that said your Dad was having surgery. We are happy to hear that he is now home and doing well. Purrs and prayers from us to him for a quick recovery with ease. (PS: We liked your stache Cody, and we don't blames you for wanting to eat it!)

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  21. Woo hoo for National Pet Month! Cody, we want to say that we are sorry we missed the post that said your Dad was having surgery. We are happy to hear that he is now home and doing well. Purrs and prayers from us to him for a quick recovery with ease. (PS: We liked your stache Cody, and we don't blames you for wanting to eat it!)

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  22. A house is not a home without fur.

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  23. Happy Pet Month Cody! I agree that pets bring lots of joy and learning experiences to our lives.
    I hope your Dad is doing better today.

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  24. Happy National Pet Month in the land across the pond from the UK.

    Consider the posting shared. I'm under instructions from Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar!

    Penny's human,

    Gary :)

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  25. The Human and I cannot imagine anyone whose life would not be better with a Kitty in it....or even, I suppose, a ::shhhhhh:: woofie. But don't tell anyone I said that last part, okay?

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  26. There's life without pets? Says who?

    Caren, I'll bring you some coconut oil when you go to BlogPaws, so you can try it. Not that its expensive, but . . .

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    1. Thanks so much Paula!! Should I try it with Cody's allergies? The good thing, is if I try it when I get back if something happens at least I will be here.

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  27. Great post!! Life without pets is no life at all! :D

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  28. Thanks so much for wonderful post!
    I know I'd be lost without my pets.

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  29. As one pet to another- Happy National Pet Month- yes, cats can make great pets too- hee hee BARK!! Paws to You! Noah!

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