February 20th is Love Your Pet Day! I know, right? Like we need a day to remind us to love our companion animals? Well apparently SOMEONE thought you weren’t showing enough love to your pets, because Love Your Pet Day was set aside to, “remind pet owners to set aside time each day to appreciate and celebrate the unique relationship they have with their pets.” I got that from News 12 KEYC TV.
Personally, I find the whole premise offensive. But I’m not a young woman who takes her baby to the doggy ice cream truck, either.
Yep, it seems that pet ownership is taking the place of parenthood.
WHAT?
Hey, this is not just another one of those lame assumptions people make. According to an article by Roberto Ferdman published at Quartz.com, the birth rate for women between the ages of 15 and 29 decreased by 10% in the past 7 years, while purchases of dogs 20 lbs and under increased significantly, and they’re being purchased by young women of childbearing years.
Not only that, but sales of premium dog food have increased by 170% in the past 15 years.
That’s right. What used to be the domain of the Crazy Cat Lady has now become the realm of the Little Dog Mommy.
The thing that disturbs me the most about Ferdman’s findings is that these young women are BUYING these dogs, despite the recent corresponding trend among the young, cool set to shame people who don’t adopt. How is that happening?
I chalk it up to effective marketing.
Let’s face it, the animal agriculture industry has done an excellent job of exploiting the Achilles Heel of the animal welfare and animal rights movements, and these movements haven’t done a very good job of fighting back.
No, PETA still exploits women, and makes themselves look like idiots in the process. But they are unapologetic and will keep being a laughingstock. The other major players look like they’re more interested in raising money than anything else. I mean, thanks HSUS for going to Arkansas and helping with that recent Puppy Mill bust, but your emails touting your efforts while simultaneously sticking your hand out get really old, especially when the only time I hear from you is when you want something from me. Reminds me of an old boyfriend I once had.
So for those of you that need to be reminded to show a little love to your pets, this is your day. I’m sure your beloved companion will enjoy the 15 minutes you spend with him today, as it may be the only attention he or she gets from you this year.
But for the rest of us? It’s another day.
Now excuse me, Rumpy is ready for his walk.
Dogpaddling Through Life 
Just another marketing holiday. But a card, a box of biscuits, a bed, a new lead, a collar (with diamond studs?) for your pet. Grab that credit card and go, go, go. It’s about as much about your pets as Valentine’s Day is about “love.”
I wish these marketers would get their stories straight. Just last week for Valentines we were encouraged to buy Valentines for our pets, and now we have a day to remind us in case we forgot? It IS a bit much, isn’t it?
Rumpy, we couldn’t agree with you more. It’s like another Hallmark holiday.
Isn’t it ironic we have all these days to celebrate our pets, and the way we often celebrate is with food. Then we complain animals are too fat. It boggles the mind.
Absolutely, whole heartedly, totally, completely, agree! It’s the Valentine’s Day business model all over again. Carol got treats and flowers on Feb 16 as a statement of objection to Feb 14 …… and Ray gets loads of love and attention regardless of what some PR person dictates! I really despise both the marketing industry, and the mindless people who blindly get sucked into it! I’ve said my piece!
I think maybe it started to be the Valentines Day for dogs, but now that we give Valentines to our dogs, this day is a waste.
My cats are waiting for national catnip day. They are very anxious (as if they don’t normally get enough of the stuff!).
Sadly, cats don’t generate the profits dogs so, so don’t hold your breath for that day…. unless, of course, we start it ourselves! Hey, why not? We can take pics of our cats on the ‘nip and do a blog hop. LOL
Shhh! I’m not telling my cats. They would be so disappointed. They find themselves much superior to dogs.
MEOW! It’s because they ARE! -June Buggie
It actually annoys me. I call myself my piggies “Mummy” because I love them like children, I won’t deny that. I get very broody! But ultimately they are animals and pets and I will treat them as such.
They don’t care if I bought them premium or own brand food or whether their veggies are organic or anything like that.
Plus but I don’t need a special day to tell me to love them or care for them!!
If you need a day to REMIND you to love your pets then you need to really think seriously about having pets in the first place!
We all treat our companions differently, and I say whatever works for you and isn’t unhealthy for your pet is OK by me. I agree with you that they relentlessly market to us for our animals.
Happy national love your pet day! ^^
I don’t need reminding to love me family so they certainly shouldn’t need reminding to love me!
Little Doggy Mom – that’s worth a giggle (And you nailed PETA. Good. A snarl at them)
(Nervous shuffling as people around here know Molly’s name better than ours…couldn’t be because we are frequently saying Now Molly, the skateboard/bike/ any odd thing around isn’t going to bother you. Sit Molly. Sit. Molly….)
YEA TODAY!
But we can spread that love on other days, too right? No limits!
I am content to be known as Rumpy’s mom, or human, or his walker. It’s all good. 🙂
Every day is Love Your Pet Day in our household.
Another marketing ploy to make us part with our dosh. Most pet owners don’t need a ‘special day’ to spoil their pooch/moggie/parrot/hamster/goldfish. If we didn’t love and care for them, we wouldn’t have them. (OK, I admit we buy Maggie a Christmas present)
I buy holiday and birthday gifts!
Reblogged this on Sherlockian's Blog and commented:
LOL. Loved the digs at PETA and HSUS. Why leave out ASPCA – They are hypocrites as well and keep putting ads on TV for monthly donations…
Because I like the ASPCA!
We agree, Rumpy and Jen. It’s just another marketing ploy. We love our gang every day of the year.
PETA does truly stink.
Meowmeowmans is right, we love our pets everyday, so we don’t actually need this special day “Love your pet Day” at all….By the way, the picture of Rumpy with his toys is lovely! He is smiling!!! Very happy face! 🙂
Yup, just the average day at the kennel zoo. I sure as heck don’t need some special day designation to tell me to love my pet. Marketing has grown to absurd lengths these days.
I thought that you had purchased one of those dog calendars with twelve months of dog pictures and reminders for your dogs lol…Yes they do exist. Another marketing gimmick True pet owners do not need a reminder. Nor do we run out and purchase the fancy little bling collars for the special occasion.
Oh brother!!!!!
Who creates these special days? Maybe someone should create a National Non-Special Day, haha! Every day should be Love Your Pet Day. 🙂