Happy National Puppy Day!

Thursday, March 23rd is National Puppy Day! What does that mean? Well, it's pretty much a day to celebrate your favorite furry friend. Whether you have a puppy or a grown-up dog, it's a day to dedicate to loving them.

National Puppy Day was first founded in 2006 by the queen of animal holidays, Colleen Paige. She has also founded National Dog Day, National Cat Day, and more! But puppy day is unique since it's not just about dogs, but specifically puppies. 

Not only do puppies bring an incredible sense of joy to us, but talking about puppies is very important! Why? Because by talking about puppies, we can change the way we get puppies. When you decide to get a puppy, it can be a very exciting time! But don't jump the gun by getting the first puppy you see. Many puppies in pet stores come from puppy mills, which are dangerous and unhealthy for dogs. Puppies that are born in puppy mills can have genetic problems and can develop diseases. So many of the dogs are kept in poor conditions and are inbred. Not only do you risk getting an unhealthy puppy when you purchase from a pet store, but you might also be financially supporting the horrors of the puppy mill.

But if you do want a puppy, there are plenty of options! Adopting is a great option, and many shelters have puppies that have come from the street or other homes. You can also research a trusted breeder who uses ethical breeding practices.

There are other ways to celebrate National Puppy Day besides spreading awareness about where to get puppies. Here are some great ways to celebrate National Puppy Day:

- Donate to a local shelter (money, food, toys, etc.)

- Buy your puppy a new toy

- Go to an training class with your pup

- Have a puppy party with all of your friends and your puppy's friends

- Have extra playtime with your puppy

- Bake homemade puppy treats

There are tons of ways to celebrate National Puppy Day! Take to Instragram or Facebook with a picture of your puppy and add the hashtag #NationalPuppyDay.