Pets are a great addition to our lives and they bring lots of joy. September 13 encourages us to both cherish and memorialize them with two national days: National Hug Your Hound Day and National Pet Memorial Day.

Ami Moore, the “Dog Whisperer of Chicago,” created Hug Your Hound Day to allow dog owners to celebrate their appreciation to their dogs. On this day, pet owners can express gratitude to their dogs by being very loving and caring for them the whole day. This can be a day all about them, with visits to a dog park, special treats and more.

This date isn’t just to commemorate living pets, though. The loss of a pet is very devastating. On September 13, people may not be able to hug and show love for their pet, but they can commemorate them on this day. Using National Pet Memorial Day to honor past pets is important to the owner and to the memory of the deceased pets. Participating expresses the care that lasts long after the pet is deceased. A few simple ways to recognize this day are to look at photos of the pets or visit their grave. It is also a good opportunity to make donations to local pet organizations.

In the tragic case of losing a pet, cremation is an option. One of the local services is available In Suisun City at Allied Pet Crematory.

How will you honor your pet on September 13?