It's National Dog Week (and Pet Blog Hop)! Let's Celebrate!

Along with welcoming in the crisp, cooler weather this week, we also roll out the carpet for National Dog Week that takes place this year September 19 - 25. While in our humble abode, every day is “Dog Day,” we will be celebrating it in typical Sibe-style: running, playing, eating, and posing for photos. And, for a tidbit of pop culture–the FiveSibesMom (yours truly!) was born and married during this wonderful week! Fitting, wouldn’t you say?!

National Dog Week celebrates that special bond between dog and owner; a bond that includes traits of love, loyalty, devotion, trust, forgiveness, companionship. They give us such happiness. They are truly our best friends. 

According to PetPlace.com, the origins of the phrase “man’s best friend” began with Sen. George Graham Vest, a lawyer from Missouri Vest, who during a closing argument for a client whose dog was deliberately shot and killed by a neighbor, gave such a strong and moving speech to the jury, that the case was won and the speech, which became the famous Tribute to the American Dog, was placed on a monument in the state and has been recognized as one of the "world's great speeches" by the late presidential speechwriter William Safire. Here is a condensed version of Vest's closing speech:   

"The best friend a man has in the world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name may become traitors to their faith... The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog.... He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer. ... If fortune drives the master forth, an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him. ...And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes his master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by the graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad, but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even in death."--George Graham Vest

 To celebrate this very special week:

• Why not whip up a batch of yummy homemade dog treats for your furpals? And, for an extra special touch, melt down some vanilla yogurt pieces and dip the ends of the bones in it, place on wax paper to cool, and then watch all the canine grins and lip-smackin’ smiles on your best friends’ faces!
• If you have children, this would be a great week to sit down and read some dog-themed books (with your dog right next to you, of course!) and take the opportunity to talk to your kids about good pet care and handling. 
• Help the youngsters draw or make silhouettes of their dog’s pawprint out of construction paper by either tracing your dog’s paw with a crayon or pencil – or let him/her step into some wet dirt or mud and gently press his paw onto a piece of white construction paper to leave the imprint and then let dry. The pawprint or outline of the paw can then be trace with a marker or crayon, and cut out to make a stencil. Place the paw stencil on black (or any color) construction paper, then adhere it onto a larger piece of color paper, and voila! A pawprint silhouette suitable for framing or posting on the fridge! 
• Take fun and candid photos of your family pet.
• As a family, visit a local shelter and spend some time with homeless dogs that are not lucky enough to have a Hu-family of their own. 
• Maybe you can bring a little sunshine and love to a lonely or elderly family member or neighbor with a visit from you and your best friend. 
• Have a family picnic with your dog – and don’t forget to pack the Frisbee and ball!

Whatever you choose to do this week to celebrate your life with dogs, we hope you will have a “paw”some good time doing it!