October - National Pet Wellness Month
National Pet Wellness Month (NPWM) is a clinic-centered educational initiative designed to raise consumer awareness about the pet aging process, disease prevention and the importance of twice-a-year wellness exams for all cats and dogs. Sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and Fort Dodge Animal Health, NPWM started in October 2004 and is a year-round campaign where pet owners can receive valuable wellness and prevention information, tailored to their pets, from their personal veterinarian.
October 26 - Mule Day
Today is Mule Day in commemoration of the delivery of Spanish jacks to the New World on October 26, 1785.
There were plenty of fine horses in America at that time, however the American donkeys were small and inferior. During the era of the late 1700’s, Spain began proudly breeding the finest donkey stock in the world. These jacks were large, thick boned, and had good attitudes. It was George Washington who developed a burning desire to bring these larger Spanish jacks to America to breed with quality light and draft horses in America in order to fulfill his lifelong dream of developing the mule.
The first mules in America arrived in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1785. They were a gift from King Charles III of Spain.
A mule is a cross between a mare horse and a jack donkey.
October 15 - November 30 - Wishbones for Pets
Wishbones for Pets (WBFP) is a charitable program designed for pet sitters to collect and distribute pet goods/funds to local pet shelters and other pet related agencies in their own community.
Due to the recalls of pet food, WBFP is not endorsing the collection of pet FOOD or treats. They are instead encouraging pet sitters to collect pet supplies, such as toys, blankets, bowls or any other non food item including FUNDS.
Pet Education and Therapy, LLC will be collecting items during this time period for donation to the CT Humane Society. If you would like to donate an item, please contact us via email or at 860-667-2663. Thank you for your support.
October 1 - November 14 - Unicorn Questing Season
The late W.T. (Bill) Rabe, known for his clever PR stunts from his days as a Detroit-area publicist, created the Unicorn Hunters in 1971, shortly after he was hired as Lake Superior State University's Director of Public Relations. Bill, with the assistance of LSSU Professors of English Peter Thomas, John McCabe, John Stevens and others, came up with the Hunters as a way of garnering more publicity for LSSU, which had just established itself as an independent school after being a branch of what is now Michigan Technological University. The Unicorn Hunters made the news often for activities and events including: the annual List of Words Banished from the Queen's English for Mis-Use, Over-Use and General Uselessness, burning a snowman on the first day of spring, World Sauntering Day, International Stone-Skipping Tournament held annually on Mackinac Island, Unicorn Questing Season and Teacher Thank You Week.
Business leaders might say Bill 'leveraged' (banished in 2001) the Unicorn Hunters in a big way. The group's activities, especially 'word banishment,' attracted the attention of news media everywhere. Bill once had an ABC News crew on campus to film students in their quest for unicorns.
The Unicorn Hunters were behind the establishment of one of LSSU's first literary magazines, The Woods-Runner. The quarterly publication was mailed to thousands of readers around the world. Through the magazine, subscribers were able to keep up on the Hunters' activities, as well as sample writing from LSSU students and employees and others.
The Unicorn Hunters retired when Bill did in 1987, but the spirit of some of the group's activities lives on. 'Word Banishment' continues to draw hundreds of nominations each year from people throughout the world. The annual snowman burning on the first day of spring is one of the more popular events on the LSSU campus, if not the Eastern Upper Peninsula.
To say that Bill succeeded in doing what he set out to do with the creation of the Unicorn Hunters is a great understatement. Today, LSSU continues to receive mail addressed to the Unicorn Hunters. Many people write or call to find out if LSSU is still issuing Unicorn Questing licenses, and we are happy to be able to be able to provide this link for you.
Peter Thomas, chief herald of the Unicorn Hunters and editor of The Woods-Runner, once said, "The pursuit of the unicorn is a lonely quest, but many more embark upon that journey than teachers or publishers may recognize." His words still ring true. While the Hunters do not physically exist on the LSSU campus anymore, it is apparent that many folks are still 'questing,' thanks to Bill and his colleagues.
Download your own unicorn hunting license by clicking here and be sure to read the unicorn hunting regulations.