Everyone loves Father’s Day, at least that’s the way it’s
supposed to be. All those fathers out there, be they young or old, new or great
grandfathers, deserve their day in the sun. So go a little nuts; give the dad
in your life something to show your appreciation; take him to a barbeque; take
him fishing; take him to see Wonder Woman; whatever he likes best.
But for some of us, Father’s Day can be a little tough.
Maybe we’ve lost our daddies; maybe they have lost us. Maybe it’s just not such
a good time for yet another Hallmark-Greeting-Card-Spend-Your-Money-On-A-Senseless-Gift
holiday.
For cat people, here is another alternative: Celebrate a
Cat Holiday instead!
There is no cat holiday that falls directly on June 18th,
but this month is filled with cat-centric celebrations. Unfortunately we have
missed two great ones: Hug Your Cat Day
was June 4th, and just a few days ago, June 16th was Lap Day. I can think of several fun and
furry ways to enjoy those holidays with my clowder.
The first full week of June is Animal Rights Awareness Week, a more serious tribute to all animals
and not just cats. The pursuit of animal rights is still a work in progress,
but I’m happy to report it’s heading in a positive direction, with more laws protecting
animals from abuse and neglect, and more advocates who will speak up for those who
cannot speak for themselves.
Tomorrow, June 19th, is one I had never heard
of but will not be likely to forget: International
Box Day. We all know how much cats of all shapes, sizes, and species love a
good box!
June 19th is also National Garfield Day for those who follow the comic strip feline.
Baking a lasagna would be a fitting way to commemorate the famous orange tabby
and all the laughter he has given us over the years.
You may or may not like June 24 – Wake Up Your Human Day. It will probably be no different than any
other morning when kitty rises with the birds, lands on your chest, licks your
face, bites your nose, and sings the song of her people to let you know the day
has begun.
June 24 is also Take
Your Cat to Work Day, though it’s a Saturday so I’m not sure what to make
of that. Maybe it was planned that way; maybe my source got the date wrong.
Either way, I can just imagine Little napping on my computer while Tyler runs
up and down the aisles, breaking everyone’s concentration with his irresistible
cuteness.
The entire month of June is Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month (the ASPCA). I have done my part,
adopting Tyler from the Oregon Humane Society on June 1st. Hey, maybe that’s something you could do for
Father’s Day: Take your dad, granddad, son, brother, or ??? to your local
shelter and adopt a cat today!
Check out more by Mollie Hunt, Cat Writer at:
Happy reading!
Several years ago, when I was still teaching, I packed a laundry basket of newborn orphaned kittens back and forth to school so I could feed them. My students absolutely loved being involved with the kittens. My principal wasn't keen on the idea, but it grew on her. *grin*
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the celebrating Father's Day (Mother's Day for that matter). Hallmark gets our money for cards, and when we've lost a parent, it just reminds us ONCE AGAIN that they're gone. Birthdays and holidays are hard enough without adding the Mom and Pop days.
I enjoyed your article. ;-)
Thank you, Kaye. I actually grew up (a long time ago) celebrating the little things, without mandatory cards and gifts. Maybe that’s why these cat holidays intrigue me so much. I even plan to launch my next Crazy Cat Lady cozy mystery to coincide with National Cat Day, October 29th.
ReplyDelete