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Hug Your Hound Day

Updated on September 4, 2013

National Hug Your Hound Day is the Second Sunday in September!

The second Sunday in September is National Hug Your Hound Day! It is a day devoted to those four-legged little family members that bring so much joy into our lives everyday.

This special day is really dedicated to increasing dog-friendly use of urban spaces. It serves as a reminder to keep the dogs we love safe, happy, and healthy. It is a day to get outdoors with your canine friend and enjoy the city parks or wide open spaces, no matter where you live.

Most importantly it is a day to remind your dog that they are loved. Hug your hound and spend a little quality time playing with them or taking them for a walk. Focus on the physical, mental, and emotional well being of your pet and make sure they have a great day!

Pictured to the left is our cockapoo Honey Skittles. She is wearing my baseball cap and getting a great big hug from my son. We love Honey Skittles (A.K.A. Skittles), and we see her as a member of our family. While she gets hugs from everyone every day. On the second Sunday in September, we will make sure that our hound has a day to remember.

(Image Credit to InterRev - Personal Photo Not to Be Reused Without Permission)

A Little History About Honey Skittles

Honey Skittles was born on April 27, 2009 and joined our family in the Summer of 2009. My son was 5 years old and my daughter was 7 years old and they had been begging us for a puppy all Spring.

We wanted a dog that would not shed in the home or cause issues with allergies, which made the cockapoo a very attractive breed for us. We were looking for an dog that would live indoors with us, and liked that this breed would only grow to 10 pounds or so. She is definitely a lap dog.

So we took the 4 hour drive to Nelsonville, OH to visit a breeder that we had been conversing with to look at some apricot colored cockapoos that were born a month earlier. We had no intention of buying a dog on this trip. We were just going to look at select a dog that we could pick up several weeks down the road. I stopped by the bank and grabbed some extra cash though (just in case).

When we visited the breeder, we looked at the apricots and they were adorable. But then we saw Honey Skittles and her siblings and the rest was history. There is a lot to be said about the personality of a pet, and Honey's personality definitely came through that day. She won the hearts of our family and a short time later we were driving home with her.

So how did Honey Skittles get her name? Well, that is an interesting story. Giving our new pooch a name was the main topic of conversation on the ride home, and something that my daughter was tormenting over.

As siblings will do, they argued over the name and could not come to an agreement. So we solved this by saying that they could each choose a name. My daughter wanted to name her Honey because she thought that she was so sweet. My son wanted to name her Skittles, well... because he was eating Skittles at the time.

So there you go! Honey Skittles had her name!

(Image Credit to InterRev - Personal Photo Not to Be Reused Without Permission)

Things to do with Your Hound on Hug Your Hound Day

So what will you do to celebrate Hug Your Hound Day on the second Sunday in September? Many of us show our pets love and affection each day, but Hug Your Hound Day raises awareness of how special our pets are in our lives.

Here are some ideas of things that you may want to do to celebrate with your hound:

  • Take your dog for a nice long walk at the park, through the neighborhood, or to any other open space. Take your time and let them walk a their pace. Let them explore and stop to sniff and take in all the smells they want. Don't rush! This day is all about them. Move at their pace and let them enjoy. (Don't forget to take along some water for you and your pet. These early September days can still be pretty warm in some areas.)
  • Take your dog to a dog park. Let them play and socialize with other canines. I can't walk past a dog park without stopping to watch the dogs playing with each other. They have so much fun, and look so darn cute interacting with other dogs.
  • Give your dog a couple of extra treats to celebrate the day. My dog loves getting her treats. She usually gets a treat when she comes back inside from 'doing her business outdoors'. On Hug Your Hound day, I'll slip her a couple of extra treats just for the heck of it!
  • Play with your dog. I'm not talking about just throwing their ball a few times, I mean get down on the floor and have a good time playing with your pet. Play some fetch with their favorite ball, or a little keep-away with their favorite fluffy squeaky toy. How about a little tug of war with an old sock or their favorite chew toy. Wear your dog out and let them decide when it is time to stop playing.
  • Take your dog for a ride in the car. My dog loves riding in the car. It is one of her favorite things to do. She loves it when you roll the windows down and she can stick her head out and take in all the smells.
  • Buy your hound a present. There are ton's of new pet toys, collars, leashes, pet beds, dog treats and more to choose from every day. What would your pet like to receive as a gift?

There are lots of ways that we can make this day special for man's best friend. How will you celebrate Hug Your Hound Day? (Leave a comment in the comment section below and I may add it to this list.)

(Image Credit to InterRev - Personal Photo Not to Be Reused Without Permission)

Best-Selling Pet Gifts

If you are in the market for a gift for your dog in celebration of Hug Your Hound Day, then check out the great ideas below. How about a popular pet toy, a brush, a healthy pet treat, a comfortable dog bed, or even a calming Thundershirt? These are all best-selling items that are sure to please!

KONG 41938 Classic Dog Toy, Large, Red, KONG Classic Large
KONG 41938 Classic Dog Toy, Large, Red, KONG Classic Large
The classic Kong dog toy is one that I have used personally, and know that dogs just love! It is made from a thick, puncture resistant rubber and it is very durable. The unique design will make it bounce in random directions. The hollow center can be filled with dog treats and peanut butter, keeping your dog entertained for hours. It is available in many sizes to match your pet. With an average customer rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, you can't go wrong with the KONG dog toy.
 
FURminator Dog DeShedding Tool, Grooming Tool For Dogs, Large, Long Hair
FURminator Dog DeShedding Tool, Grooming Tool For Dogs, Large, Long Hair
My dog loves getting her hair brushed, and I suspect yours does too! The FURminator deShed tool can reduce shedding up to 90%, allowing you to share your home with your dog without dealing with all that shedding. It is available in multiple sizes. This deShed tool comes with an average customer rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.
 
Greenies Original Regular Natural Dog Dental Care Chews Oral Health Dog Treats, 27 oz. Pack (27 Treats)
Greenies Original Regular Natural Dog Dental Care Chews Oral Health Dog Treats, 27 oz. Pack (27 Treats)
How about a healthy treat for your hound? Have you heard of the Greenies Dental Chews? We learned about these from a friend and give them to our dog daily. These treats help to control harmful plaque and tartar build-up. They contain natural sources of antioxidants and dietary fibers. They carry the approval of the Veterinary Oral Health Council. Healthy treats that your dog will love. Available in multiple sizes and quantities.
 
MidWest Homes for Pets Bolster Dog Bed w/ Comfortable Bolster | Ideal for Intermediate Dog Breeds & Fits a 36-Inch Dog Crate | Easy Maintenance Machine Wash & Dry, 36.0"x 23.0"x 2.6", White Fleece
MidWest Homes for Pets Bolster Dog Bed w/ Comfortable Bolster | Ideal for Intermediate Dog Breeds & Fits a 36-Inch Dog Crate | Easy Maintenance Machine Wash & Dry, 36.0"x 23.0"x 2.6", White Fleece
Dogs love to get their sleep after a nice long walk or a fun afternoon playing. And they love a nice, comfortable place to rest their paws. The Midwest Quiet Time fleece pet best are made with ultra-soft synthetic sheepskin and have a cushioned cotton base. They are machine washable, and come in a variety of sizes and colors to match any breed.
 

Celebrating Hug Your Hound Day Duel

Will you do something special to celebrate Hug Your Hound Day?

Will you do something special to celebrate Hug Your Hound Day?

Practice Responsible Pet Ownership

Part of the message of Hug Your Hound Day is to practice responsible dog ownership. There is nothing more frustrating than finding someone else's dog poo in your yard, or worse yet, stepping in it.

You see it all the time. People out walking their dogs and not cleaning up after them. On city streets, you will sometimes see it on the sidewalks. In the parks where your kids play or you may choose to relax you will find it. I have a small dog, and had to sidestep a pile of poo while cutting the grass today that was obviously left by a very large dog.

I use a pet bag dispenser just like the one pictured below. It attaches right to my dog's retractable leash. I always have a pet waste bag handy.

The main thing I love about this dispenser is that my neighbors can see that I have it on my leash. They can see that I am a responsible dog owner and that I clean up my dog's messes. They know that when they find that pile of poo in their yard, that it wasn't from my dog.

I appreciate it when I see other dog owners carrying their pet waste bags and cleaning up after their dogs. As a dog owner, this is your responsibility and will help others to love your dog as much as you do!

Poop Bag Shop 700-Count Dog Pet Waste Poop Bags, 35 Refill Rolls with Poop Bag Dispenser, Black
Poop Bag Shop 700-Count Dog Pet Waste Poop Bags, 35 Refill Rolls with Poop Bag Dispenser, Black
Keep your pet waste bags handy with this dispenser that attaches to your leash. Always have a pet waste bag on hand. Practice responsible dog ownership, and your neighbors will love your dog as much as you do!
 

Celebrating Hug Your Hound Day

We show our dog love and affection on a daily basis and she returns that affection to us. I am sure that everyone else is the same. On Hug Your Hound Day, will you do something special for your dog?

How will you celebrate Hug Your Hound Day?

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So what do you think about Hug Your Hound Day?

Will you be celebrating it in some special way with your favorite four-legged friend?

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