Pet Appreciation Week 2017

Photographer and writer Roger Caras once said,

"Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole."

Happy June!

As Caras alluded to, our dogs are much more than just pets. They are important parts of our lives and families. We're kicking off this month with a week dedicated to our furry family members. June 4th-10th, 2017 has been declared Pet Appreciation Week by The American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA).

Established more than 150 years ago, The AMVA is a nonprofit organization that "represents more than 89,000 veterinarians working in private and corporate practice, government, industry academia and uniformed services. Annually, the organization posts a list of "Pet Health Awareness Events" on their website, ranging from National Train Your Dog Month in January to National Mutt Day in December.

Essentially, Pet Appreciation Week is a time where we can stop and recognize the impact our animals have on us and show them our gratitude. You can feel good about giving Fido an extra treat or letting Max frolic in the backyard for a few more minutes without feeling an ounce of guilt.

Here are a few things you can do to show your appreciation for your dog:

• Buy a new collar, bed or toy.
• Cuddle and give more attention. #BellyRubs
• Throw a dog paw-ty and invite his/her pals.
• Send them on a spa day. (We can help with that!)

No matter how you decide to show your appreciation, your dog will love even the smallest of gestures! In fact, it was found in a recent study that dogs have the cognitive ability to recognize human emotion. No wonder if you ask "Who's a good boy?" in a cheery voice, his tail starts wagging uncontrollably!

Seems like dogs spend their entire lives making us happy - How will you try to make theirs a little more special this week? Tell us by using #BarkATLPAW on your social media channels!

Photo credit: Bigstock