September 23 - Dog in Politics Day
In 1952, Richard M. Nixon was a candidate for Vice-President of the United States, running with Dwight D. Eisenhower. Media speculation centered around an $18,000 campaign contribution, and speculation that Nixon may have used some for his personal use. In a brilliant political maneuver, Nixon took his case to the American people.
On September 23, 1952, Richard Nixon gave a speech that directly addressed and explained the issue. He assured the public that he did not use any of the funds for personal use. Towards the end of the speech, he stated that his daughters had received a dog, which they named "Checkers", as a gift. He said they would keep the dog.
This speech quickly became known as the "Checkers" speech, and went on to be one of the better speeches in American political history.
With "Checkers" the dog included in the speech, this day was sometimes referred to as Dogs in Politics Day.
September last week - National Dog Week
Captain Will Judy, editor and publisher of Dog World magazine started National Dog Week in 1928. It had growing pains over the years and its success was measured by the energy of those people volunteering to put it over.
The greatest publicity thrust was started in the late forties. World War II was over and America's economy was booming----and we started bringing the dogs from out in the yard into the house. At that time, National Dog Week had impressive offices in mid-town Manhattan. The executive director of NDW was Raymond J. Hanfield. At that time, there was an outstanding and well-known demonstration put on in Rockefeller Center. The people putting that together were Harry Miller and Evelyn Monté both of the Gaines Dog Research Center. The name of the main person putting on these demonstrations was Blanche Saunders.
The publicity and news coverage it generated was unbelievable. The venue was outstanding. Better than a free Broadway Show in the Big Apple.
In 1960, Capt. Judy turned over the reins of NDW to the Pet Food Institute, an organization in Chicago financed by the pet food industry. The Pet Food Institute continued running until the mid-seventies. Then interested parties celebrated on their own until the American Dog Owners Association took over. Interested parties still celebrate this holiday.
September last week- Sea Otter Awareness Week
Every year Defenders of Wildlife organizes and promotes Sea Otter Awareness Week, a week full of events hosted around the country, that focus on sea otters. The purpose of the week is to teach people about the integral role that sea otters play in the near shore marine ecosystem, the threats to their recovery, to promote research and conservation programs, and what can be done to save these playful and popular animals.
September last full week - Deaf Dog Awareness Week
This week was inspired because National Dog Week and Deaf Awareness Week fall in the same time frame.
The mission of the Deaf Dog Education Action Fund (DDEAF) is to provide education and funding for the purpose of improving and/or saving the lives of deaf dogs. They are working to find homes for adoptable deaf dogs, and to increase awareness of the noble and loving nature of deaf dogs.