Lord Banjo Celebrates National Love Your Pet Day | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Kathy Manos Penn is a native of the “Big Apple,” who settled in the “Peach City” – Atlanta. A former English teacher now happily retired from a corporate career in communications, she writes a weekly column for the Dunwoody Crier and the Highlands Newspaper. Read her blogs and columns and purchase her books, “The Ink Penn: Celebrating the Magic in the Everyday” and “Lord Banjo the Royal Pooch,” on her website theinkpenn.com or Amazon.

    Wow! Who knew there was a National Love Your Pet Day? I sure didn't, but then Lord Banjo is loved each and every day. Do humans really need to be reminded to love their pets? If so, then I'm a lucky boy, 'cause my Royal parents love me all the time. And, I'm such a sweet boy, I even share the love with Princess Puddin', the cat.

    No one seems to know who came up with the brilliant idea for this day of celebration, but the Holidays Calendar internet site thinks it became popular in the early 2000s. The Royal Mum read me these interesting facts from that write-up: "In 2017, U.S pet owners spent almost 70 billion dollars [on] products for their pets. That is an increase over the 66.8 billion dollars spent in 2016 and the 41 billion dollars spent ten years ago in 2007."

    I don't keep track of how much the Royal Parents spend on me; I keep track of belly rubs and walks with my Dad, the important things in life. It seems like there should be something extra special the Royal Parents could do for me. Nope, it's not a trip to the Royal Groomer. Mum seems to enjoy that much more than I do. Though, perhaps if I'm extra clean, she'd let me get on the bed. Puddin' gets up there most nights, sometimes even under the covers. What gives?

    Heck, the Princess even sleeps on Mum's sweaters and fleece jackets. In truth, she'll lie on whatever happens to be on the bed-a scarf, a towel, whatever. Never mind the privileged cat; National Love Your Pet Day is set aside for ALL pets to get extra attention and pampering. Did you know that most homes in the US have at least one pet, sometimes more? Please note that more households have dogs than cats. Surely that fact means we canines are more appreciated and loved than kitties.

    Since Love Your Pet Day just happens to fall on February 20, in the same month as my birthday, my pet parents should shower me with double the love; don't you think? I'm not sensing much encouragement here from the Royal Mum. Maybe Dad can take me for two walks a day? And order up some more cold weather? I do adore cold weather for my walks. And maybe the Royal Physician could approve some extra snacks for me. I'm thinking rolls, biscuits, pork chop scraps ... get the picture? All the wonderful delicacies that have been stricken from my diet could be restored, if only temporarily.

    Still, no encouragement forthcoming. Must I issue a royal decree to get some attention here? What's that I hear? I already get baths, daily walks, dental chewies, and an occasional dog biscuit. Who thinks that's enough? Oh, belly rubs too? Why didn't you say belly rubs right off? Come to think of it; belly rubs may be all the love Lord Banjo requires.

    Yes! Did you see my paw pump? Shower me with belly rubs, and I'll be a happy camper. And I, Lord Banjo, hereby decree that every day shall be Love Your Pet Day for all pets throughout the land!