#national take your cat to the vet day

[murderousink23]

08/22/2024 is Folklore Day 🇧🇷, National Flag Day 🇷🇺, National Bao Day 🇺🇸, National Pecan Torte Day 🇺🇸, National Tooth Fairy Day 🦷🧚‍♀️🇺🇸, National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day 🐈‍⬛️🇺🇸, National Rainbow Baby Day 🌈👶🇺🇸, International Day of Remembrance for Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief 🇺🇳

[adamantium-heart]

watching some d.eadpool and w.olverine promo stuff and. man. logan <3. i love my fiance <33333333

[a-literate-chicken]

Happy National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day!

[brookston]

Holidays 8.22

Holidays

America’s Cup Day

Baltic Unity Day (Latvia)

Be An Angel Day

Chuck Brown Day

Dia do Folclore (Folklore Day; Brazil)

Exercise Day

Feast of the Queenship of Mary

Flag Day (Russia)

Folklore Day (Brazil)

Fortuna Asteroid Day

International Apostasy Day

International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief (UN)

International Museum Meme Day

International Tongue Twister Day

Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance Day (Ukraine)

Liquid Soap Day

Loch Ness Monster Day

Madras Day (India)

Miriam Asteroid Day

National Firefighters Day (Mexico)

National Pamela Day

National Punctuation Day

National Rainbow Baby Day

National Surgical Oncologist Day

National Tooth Fairy Day (also 2.28)

Never Bean Better Day

Pocketphone Day

Rumpleskunkskin’s Wedding (Goblin celebration)

Salmon Day (French Republic)

Southern Hemisphere Hoodie-Hoo Day

Take Your Cat to the Vet Day

Timothy Herb Day

Tunamint (Natural Chimneys, Virginia)

World Folklore Day

World Rainbow Baby Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Burgers to Beat MS Day (Canada)

Eat a Peach Day

National Bao Day

National Pecan Torte Day

World Jollof Rice Day

World Plant Milk Day

Independence & Related Days

Arstotzkan Union (Declared, 2019) [unrecognized]

Korea (Annexed by Japan; 1910)

New Mexico (Annexed by US; 1846)

Sierra Leone (Founded as Slave Asylum; UK; 1788)

Wakamawabla (Declared, 2016) [unrecognized]

4th Thursday in August

California Public Radio Day (California) [4th Thursday]

National Bra Fitting Day [4th Thursday]

National Burger Day (a.k.a. Mr. Hyde National Burger Day; UK) [Thursday before August bank holiday]

Thinking Thursday [4th Thursday of Each Month]

Thirsty Thursday [Every Thursday]

Three for Thursday [Every Thursday]

Thrift Store Thursday [Every Thursday]

Throwback Thursday [Every Thursday]

Thuringer Thursday [4th Thursday of Each Month]

Festivals Beginning August 22, 2024

Acton Fair (Acton, Maine) [thru 8.25]

Brewed In Minnesota Exhibit (Minnesota State Fair, Minnesota) [thru 9.2]

Buttermilk Days Festival (Bardstown, Kentucky) [thru 8.24]

Evergreen State Fair (Monroe, Washington) [thru 9.2]

Fan Expo Canada (Toronto, Ontario) [thru 8.25]

Gillespie County Fair (Fredericksburg, Texas) [thru 8.25]

Gueydan Duck Festival (Gueydan, Louisiana) [thru 8.25]

Loyal CornFest (Loyal, Wisconsin) [thru 8.25]

Maryland State Fair (Timonium, Maryland) [thru 9.8]

Minnesota State Fair (Falcon Heights, Minnesota) [thru 9.2]

Piscataquis Valley Fair (Dover-Foxcroft, Maine) [thru 8.25]

Swiss Wine Festival (Vevay, Indiana) [thru 8.25]

A Taste of New England (Stowe, Vermont) [thru 8.25]

Taste of Tennis (New York, New York)

Winterville Watermelon Festival (Winterville, North Carolina) [thru 8.25]

Feast Days

Andrew of Fiesole (Christian; Saint)

Annie Proulx (Writerism)

Archibald Willard (Artology)

Dorothy Parker (Writerism)

Fabrizio (Christian; Saint)

Feast of Hathor and Min (Ancient Egypt)

Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Roman Catholic)

Feast of the Queenship of Mary

George Herriman (Artology)

Guinefort (Christian; Saint)

Harrison (Positivist; Saint)

Hippolytus (Christian; Saint)

Ignatius Reilly Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Jacques Lipchitz (Artology)

Janmashtami (Festival celebrating birth of Krishna; India)

Kelly Freas (Artology)

Muin (Blackberry; Celtic Book of Days)

Nu Kea Day (Chinese Healing Goddess; Everyday Wicca)

Order of the Rosy Cross Foundation Day

Philibert (Christian; Saint)

Queenship of Mary (Christian; Saint)

Ray Bradbury (Writerism)

Roberto Aizenberg (Artology)

Rumpleskunkskin’s Wedding (Goblin Celebration; Shamanism)

Sigfrid (Christian; Saint)

Symphorian (Christian; Saint)

Tarantula Teasing Day (Pastafarian)

Timotheus (Christian; Saint)

Timothy, Hippolytus & Symphorian (Christian; Martyrs)

Virgo zodiac sign begins (Pagan)

The Weatherberries (Muppetism)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]

Premieres

Alice in the Big League (Disney Cartoon; 1927)

And Now For Something Completely Different (Film; 1972)

Another One Bites the Dust, by Queen (Song; 1980)

Bimbo’s Express (Betty Boop Cartoon; 1931)

Blitz Wolf (Tex Avery MGM Cartoon; 1942)

Bojack Horseman (Animated TV Series; 2014)

Bootle Beetle (Disney Cartoon; 1947)

Clown on the Farm (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1957)

The Cocktail Party, by T.S. Eliot (Play; 1949)

Dancing in the Streets, recorded by Martha and the Vandellas (Song; 1966)

Ghosts, by Henrik Ibsen (Play; 1883)

G.I. Jane (Film; 1997)

Hamlet 2 (Film; 2008)

High Plains Drifter (Film; 1973)

The House Bunny (Film; 2008)

The Ice Carnival (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1941)

If I Stay (Film; 2014)

Joy in the Morning, by P.G. Wodehouse (Novel; 1947) [Jeeves #8]

Jumpin’ at the Woodside, recorded by Count Basie (Song; 1938)

The Mild West (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1947)

Top-pop-a-da, Two Bass Hit and Ow!, recorded by Dizzy Gillespie (Song; 1947)

Plop Goes the Weasel (WB LT Cartoon; 1953)

Porky’s Poultry Plant (WB LT Cartoon; 1936)

The Saint, by Burt Barer (Film Novelization; 1997) [Saint #51]

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (Film; 2014)

The Skeleton Dance (Silly Symphonies Disney Cartoon; 1929)

Stand By Me (Film; 1986)

Stormy Seas (Ub Iwerks MGM Cartoon; 1932)

Toby Tortoise Returns (Silly Symphonies Disney Cartoon; 1936)

Travelaffs (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1958)

Today’s Name Days

Regina, Siegfried (Austria)

Marija, Regina, Vladislava (Croatia)

Bohuslav (Czech Republic)

Symphorian (Denmark)

Iivo, Ivalo, Ivar, Ivari, Ivo (Estonia)

Iivari, Iivo (Finland)

Fabrice (France)

Maria Regina, Regina, Sigfried (Germany)

Menyhért, Mirjam (Hungary)

Fabrizio, Maria, Regina (Italy)

Nadīna, Rudīte (Latvia)

Ipolitas, Karijotas, Rimantė, Sigitas, Zygfridas (Lithuania)

Harriet, Harry (Norway)

Cezary, Dalegor, Fabrycjan, Fabrycy, Hipolit, Hipolita, Maria, Namysław, Oswald, Oswalda, Tymoteusz, Zygfryd (Poland)

Tichomír (Slovakia)

María, Timoteo (Spain)

Henrietta, Henrika (Sweden)

Florence, Florent (Ukraine)

Hayden, Hazel, Heath, Heather, Hector (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 235 of 2024; 131 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 4 of Week 34 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Coll (Hazel) [Day 20 of 28]

Chinese: Month 7 (Ren-Shen), Day 19 (Wu-Wu)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 18 Av 5784

Islamic: 16 Safar 1446

J Cal: 25 Purple; Foursday [25 of 30]

Julian: 9 August 2024

Moon: 88%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 10 Gutenberg (9th Month) [Harrison]

Runic Half Month: As (Gods) [Day 15 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 64 of 94)

Week: 3rd Full Week of August

Zodiac: Virgo (Day 1 of 32)

Calendar Changes

Virgo (The Virgin) begins [Zodiac Sign 6; thru 9.22]

[veronicaleighauthor]

Fun Facts About “A Slice of Life”

Last Sunday, my story “A Slice of Life” was published in Black Cat Weekly #141. It is the second installment of the Sleuthing Smith Sisters Series. If you’re interested in buying the issue for your Kindle, you can do so here. If you’re interested in buying the story alone for your Kindle, you can do so here, and I’ll get royalties.

Today I’m going to write about the Fun Facts/Behind the Scenes stuff that went into writing this story. Enjoy!

This story takes place in January of 1919, during the Spanish Influenza pandemic. Minnie is working as a housekeeper in a hospital and Brenna is studying to be a veterinarian. Much of their feelings and experiences are based on my own and my sister’s during the covid pandemic. I was working as a housekeeper in a nursing home, and my sister was studying to be a vet assistant. The fear, the pain, the loss, the mask wearing – it was the same in 2020 as it was in 1919. However, by 1920, it is estimated that anywhere from 17 million to 100 million people worldwide died from the Spanish Flu.

Contrary to what it was called, the Spanish Flu didn’t begin in Spain. It began in an army camp in Kansas in 1918, although it may have had a precursor in 1916/1917 in military hospitals in France and England. It was believed that the strain was beginning to die out in the fall of 1918, but when the Great War ended and people gathered in crowds to celebrate, it created the deadly second wave. There were four waves altogether, which lasted into 1920, and a milder version of it in 1921, but by then it was considered more of a seasonal flu. So, why was it called the Spanish Flu? Because Spain was the first to report on the pandemic. A neutral nation, they had a free press and stated how many died from the flu in Spain. This gave the false impression amongst other countries that the flu began in Spain. America, Great Britain, and other European countries had a censored press and they didn’t cover it the way Spain did. For that reason, it was called the Spanish Flu.

The house the Smith sisters live in is a Parsonage, which belongs to the church their father serves as a minister. The house is in fact based on the house I live in, and have lived in for nearly twenty-six years. Built in 1913, it is a Sears Roebuck House. Well to-do families in the early 20th Century could order plans and materials from the Sears Roebuck Catalogue and build the house of their dreams. This isn’t the first time I featured our house in a story. The first time I wrote about it was in a gothic mystery entitled, “No Place Like Home.”

It is briefly mentioned in the story, that when Minnie and Brenna were younger, they had knock-down-drag-out fights. Well, when my sister and I were growing up, we had knock-down-drag-out fights. They tapered off when I was about twelve and she was nine. One time, we were fighting and losing our balance, we slammed into a piano. Neither of us told our parents, fearing we would get into trouble.

To my surprise, there really was a Providence, Indiana, in Johnson County. However, this was meant to be a fictional town, set in Vigo County, along the Wabash River.

Louisa May Alcott, author of “Little Women” is mentioned. Her classic coming of age story of the March sisters heavily inspired my own writing when I was a teen. I wrote about Minnie and Brenna back then, though they more resembled the March sisters, than when they do today. To this day Alcott is an influence in my writing.

A Hoosier Cabinet is shown in the story. A cupboard, or free-standing cabinet, it could be used as a workstation. According the Wikipedia, in that era, many homes didn’t have built in cabinets and Hoosier Cabinets were used to store and make meals on. Discontinued in 1942, you can still find different styles of Hoosier Cabinets at antique shops nationwide.

Until next time!

[theprofessionalpromptmaker]

Be an Angel Day & National Tooth Fairy Day & Take Your Cat to the Vet Day (Late)

Person A is a pre-angel who works at a vet clinic during their observation period of humanity, before they can get their angel certification. Person B is their roommate and ex-tooth fairy who got their qualifications revoked for making disturbing art with the teeth they’d collected and selling it online, but since Person B’s art business was doing so well, they’re trying to find other ways to get teeth to keep making art, and suggests Person A help them acquire animal teeth from Person A’s vet clinic gig.

[dealsxciting]

Why your cat needs regular check-ups?

National Take Your Cat To The Vet Day is celebrated on August 22 every year and is a reminder to take care of our kitty's health and well-being. Cute, playful and adventurous, cats can really win hearts with their graceful demeanour. Your feline friends are lovable too and shower you with a lot of attention; however they like to keep their lives as private as possible. This means even if they are ill, hurt or distressed, they are unlikely to display it. It's their natural instinct to hide their pain because they are wired to survive in the wild. Being sick or injured means being vulnerable to predators and other dangers in the wild. Concealing the pain is thus a second nature to cats and even cat parents may find it difficult to detect signs of illness in them.

Here are 5 reasons why your cats need regular check-ups:

Vaccination

To spot diseases early

Prevention from fleas and ticks

Advice for your obese cat

#PetCare #CatCare #CatHealth

[fuzzballsheltiepants]

If you're in the U.S. and you want to help control the pet overpopulation problem, and therefore reduce euthanasias of pets in shelters:

Support legislation - local, statewide, and national - preventing the sale of pets in pet stores. 100% of dogs that come from pet stores do not come from responsible breeders; they come from puppy mills. Puppy mills are facilities that put two animals together, regardless of the health, temperament, or breeding of those animals, and then sell the puppies. Puppy mills can be small - "backyard" breeder types who either are careless and let their bitch get pregnant or decide that they want to "get a few litters" out of their dogs because they love them just SO much, regardless of the actual desirable traits of said dogs. Then they sell the puppies to the local store, or through Craigslist, or whatever. Puppy mills can also be huge - giant facilities, mostly in the midwest, with hundreds to thousands of breeding animals. These animals are typically kept in horrific conditions, with disease and parasites running rampant. The dogs are not socialized, not temperament tested, and when they can no longer be bred or have disease terrible enough that the cost of maintaining them exceeds the profit of breeding them, they are kicked out to "rescues" who then pride themselves in "pulling animals from puppy mills".

Support legislation preventing the sale of dogs and cats online. Same story, different cover. One can find a responsible breeder online, it's actually how most people do it, but there are puppy and kitten "broker" sites that are just another way of siphoning off animals from puppy mills. Responsible breeders do not work through brokers. They talk to, vet, and sell their health-tested, temperament-tested, carefully raised puppies and kittens to individuals themselves. I have yet to work with a good breeder who does not get to know exactly where their puppies or kittens are going, who is not willing to take them back should something go wrong, and who does not spay/neuter their breeding animals once their breeding days are over and then either keep them themselves or place them in an appropriate well-known pet home.

Recognize that pet stores and online pet brokers rely on "impulse purchasing" of cute baby animals. Do you know how many patients I see each month where the sheepish new owner comes in cuddling their genetic disaster of a purebred yorkiepompoo with an umbilical hernia, only one testicle, 3 different types of parasites, and the worst underbite known to humankind, and tells me that they "just went in to look, and felt so bad for the puppy that they had to 'rescue' it"? Pet stores KNOW that people pity the animals in there, they rely on it to make bank. Help educate your community.

Support legislation controlling/reducing the numbers of dogs and cats that can be owned and maintained on one property, outside of municipal shelters.

Don't fall for the schtick of some of these "rescue groups." Rescue groups who have primarily puppies instead of adult dogs? likely are buying oops litters from puppy mills for a few dollars per pup that won't fetch a price through pet stores or brokers, and then the "rescues" get to charge an adoption fee, often in the hundreds of dollars, for puppies that are frequently sick, maybe receive one or two vaccines, and often aren't even spayed or neutered yet. It's a different way of making money off of puppy mills. And yes, I personally am aware of several rescues who do this in my area.

Accept that not all animals can be ethically saved. Some are never going to be happy and healthy in a pet home. Humane euthanasia is not a failure or a cruel outcome for an animal who will be suffering.

If you're able, foster kittens during kitten season.

Do not allow your cats outside, especially if not spayed/neutered but even if they are. In addition to the harm that outdoor cats do to the environment, which is considerable, intercat aggression can lead to your cat or a neighbor's cat vacating the area, getting picked up, and ending up in a shelter.

Spay and neuter your pets, friends. Don't add to the problem with accidental breedings. With cats, feral colonies and accidental litters of indoor/outdoor cats are the sources of most of the shelter overpopulation.

Donate money and/or time to your local humane society. Help them pay for community pet sterilization. Socialize the animals waiting for homes to help make them more adoptable.

tl;dr - we need to stop the sources of mass-produced animals if we're going to control the problem. This will require legislation, it won't happen any other way.

I think this is super important to remember.

[healthyhappypets]

Prioritize Your Cat’s Health in December during National Cat Lovers' Month

As we dive into the festive season and enjoy the coziness of winter, December brings more than just holiday cheer — it’s also National Cat Lovers’ Month! This month is dedicated to celebrating the joy that our feline friends bring into our lives. And what better way to show your love for your cat than by ensuring they’re happy and healthy?

One of the most important acts of love you can give your cat is taking them to the vet for a thorough checkup. This is the perfect time to make sure your cat is in top shape and to catch any potential health issues before they become serious.

Why Vet Checkups Are Essential

Cats are notorious for hiding signs of illness. For pet owners, this can make it harder to spot when something is wrong. This is why regular vet checkups are crucial. A yearly visit (or more frequent visits for senior cats or those with health issues) allows your vet to perform important screenings, monitor any changes in your cat’s health, and detect illnesses early.

Perhaps the most critical aspect of preventative care is early detection. Many common feline diseases, including cancer, don’t show obvious symptoms until they’ve progressed to later stages. Early detection not only increases the chances of successful treatment, but also helps reduce the cost and stress of care down the road.

For example, lymphoma — a type of cancer that is unfortunately common in cats — can be difficult to spot early because it often doesn’t show noticeable symptoms right away.

However, with regular checkups, your vet can perform tests that might catch lymphoma in its early stages, giving your cat the best chance for successful treatment.

Quick And Accurate Results Are Key

One of the best tools for determining feline lymphoma and leukemia subtypes is ImpriMed’s Flow Cytometry report. Flow cytometry provides cell-sizing information and analyzes different proteins found on and within tumor cells that denotes immunophenotype. This test provides prognostic information for leukemia and lymphoma.

“Our Flow Cytometry service is a powerful technique for analyzing cell phenotype,” says Mary Ocnean, Vice President of Commercial Operations of ImpriMed. “Using this advanced technology, we can identify, isolate, and quantify different cell types in a heterogeneous sample, providing quick and accurate results within 3-4 days from the receipt of the sample in the lab.”

ImpriMed also offers effective detection for cancer clone cells and neoplasia — the abnormal growth of cells within a cat’s body — with PCR for Antigen Receptor Rearrangement (PARR), which is particularly useful when cytology is ambiguous. Neoplasia can affect cats of all ages and breeds, but it is most seen in older cats. This growth of cells can lead to malignant or benign tumors.

Protect Your Pet

National Cat Lovers’ Month is a wonderful time to celebrate the deep bond you share with your feline companion. But it’s also an important reminder that taking proactive steps toward your cat’s health is one of the best ways to show your love. A simple vet checkup could make all the difference in detecting potential health problems early and ensuring your cat has a long, happy and healthy life.

[digitalspack]

Why Pet Walking is Important and Furry Laws

Furry Benefits of Pet Walking 1.Keeps Them Fit and Happy Physical Exercise: Pets need exercise just like humans! Walks keep them in shape, ensuring they’re not turning into furry couch potatoes. Strong Joints: Walking helps pets stay limber and active, especially older pets who might start to feel creaky without regular strolls. Happy Heart: Just like you, your pet’s heart gets a workout, boosting their cardiovascular health.

2.Sniffing Adventures for Mental Stimulation New Smells, New Friends: Each walk is like a doggy or kitty detective mission. They get to sniff around, explore, and maybe even make new furry pals! Brain Workout: Every new smell or sight triggers curiosity, keeping their minds sharp and engaged. It’s like an outdoor puzzle to solve!

3.Better Behaved Buddies Less Chewing on Your Shoes: Walking tires them out, which means less destructive behavior at home. A tired pet is a good pet! Calm and Cool: Walks release pent-up energy, reducing anxiety and hyperactivity. Say goodbye to your pet zooming around the house.

4.Strengthens Your Bond Quality Time Together: Walks are a fun way for you and your pet to connect. It’s their favorite part of the day, and who wouldn’t love being their best friend’s hero?

How PetMichi can help? Track Your Walks: With the PetMichi app, you can easily track the duration, distance, and route of your walks, making sure your furry friend gets the exercise they need to stay fit and healthy. You can even set reminders for those important walk times!

How Often Should You Walk Your Furry Friend? Dogs High-energy dogs (like Border Collies and Labs): 2–3 walks a day, around 30–60 minutes per walk. These guys are the marathon runners of the dog world! Low-energy dogs (like Bulldogs or Chihuahuas): 1–2 short walks of 20–30 minutes will keep them content. Puppies: Shorter, frequent walks of 10–15 minutes because their tiny legs tire quickly. Senior dogs: Gentle, shorter walks to keep them active and happy.

Cats Yes, cats! Some adventurous felines actually enjoy walks in a secure harness. Indoor cats benefit from short 10–15 minute walks to burn off some energy and channel their inner lion.

Lets talk some Pet Walking Stats US: 60% of dog owners take their dogs for regular walks, but half of them aren’t walking enough to meet their pets’ exercise needs. Looks like some pups need a bit more adventure! Australia: Only 40% of dog owners hit the trails with their pups regularly. And 30%… well, those poor dogs might need a few extra outings! UK: Around 70% of dog owners make walk time a daily ritual — hooray for British pups!

Pet Walking Laws (Yes, It’s a Thing!) Germany: Germany’s “Dog Welfare Act” requires dog owners to walk their pets twice a day for a minimum of one hour total. No more excuses for skipping those walks — it’s the law! Italy (Turin): In the city of Turin, you could be fined if you don’t walk your dog at least once a day. So, if you’re ever in Italy, remember your pooch is expecting some quality time. Sweden: Dogs in Sweden must be walked or allowed out every six hours. Puppies and older dogs get even more outdoor time to ensure they stay happy and healthy. Japan: In Tokyo, while there’s no national law, pet neglect — including lack of walks — can be reported, ensuring that pets get the outdoor time they need. Australia (New South Wales): Laws require regular exercise for dogs. If you’re caught slacking, you could face fines for neglect.

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 8.22

Holidays

America’s Cup Day

Baltic Unity Day (Latvia)

Be An Angel Day

Chuck Brown Day

Dia do Folclore (Folklore Day; Brazil)

Exercise Day

Feast of the Queenship of Mary

Flag Day (Russia)

Folklore Day (Brazil)

Fortuna Asteroid Day

International Apostasy Day

International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief (UN)

International Museum Meme Day

International Tongue Twister Day

Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance Day (Ukraine)

Liquid Soap Day

Loch Ness Monster Day

Madras Day (India)

Miriam Asteroid Day

National Firefighters Day (Mexico)

National Pamela Day

National Punctuation Day

National Rainbow Baby Day

National Surgical Oncologist Day

National Tooth Fairy Day (also 2.28)

Never Bean Better Day

Pocketphone Day

Rumpleskunkskin’s Wedding (Goblin celebration)

Salmon Day (French Republic)

Southern Hemisphere Hoodie-Hoo Day

Take Your Cat to the Vet Day

Timothy Herb Day

Tunamint (Natural Chimneys, Virginia)

World Folklore Day

World Rainbow Baby Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Burgers to Beat MS Day (Canada)

Eat a Peach Day

National Bao Day

National Pecan Torte Day

World Jollof Rice Day

World Plant Milk Day

Independence & Related Days

Arstotzkan Union (Declared, 2019) [unrecognized]

Korea (Annexed by Japan; 1910)

New Mexico (Annexed by US; 1846)

Sierra Leone (Founded as Slave Asylum; UK; 1788)

Wakamawabla (Declared, 2016) [unrecognized]

4th Thursday in August

California Public Radio Day (California) [4th Thursday]

National Bra Fitting Day [4th Thursday]

National Burger Day (a.k.a. Mr. Hyde National Burger Day; UK) [Thursday before August bank holiday]

Thinking Thursday [4th Thursday of Each Month]

Thirsty Thursday [Every Thursday]

Three for Thursday [Every Thursday]

Thrift Store Thursday [Every Thursday]

Throwback Thursday [Every Thursday]

Thuringer Thursday [4th Thursday of Each Month]

Festivals Beginning August 22, 2024

Acton Fair (Acton, Maine) [thru 8.25]

Brewed In Minnesota Exhibit (Minnesota State Fair, Minnesota) [thru 9.2]

Buttermilk Days Festival (Bardstown, Kentucky) [thru 8.24]

Evergreen State Fair (Monroe, Washington) [thru 9.2]

Fan Expo Canada (Toronto, Ontario) [thru 8.25]

Gillespie County Fair (Fredericksburg, Texas) [thru 8.25]

Gueydan Duck Festival (Gueydan, Louisiana) [thru 8.25]

Loyal CornFest (Loyal, Wisconsin) [thru 8.25]

Maryland State Fair (Timonium, Maryland) [thru 9.8]

Minnesota State Fair (Falcon Heights, Minnesota) [thru 9.2]

Piscataquis Valley Fair (Dover-Foxcroft, Maine) [thru 8.25]

Swiss Wine Festival (Vevay, Indiana) [thru 8.25]

A Taste of New England (Stowe, Vermont) [thru 8.25]

Taste of Tennis (New York, New York)

Winterville Watermelon Festival (Winterville, North Carolina) [thru 8.25]

Feast Days

Andrew of Fiesole (Christian; Saint)

Annie Proulx (Writerism)

Archibald Willard (Artology)

Dorothy Parker (Writerism)

Fabrizio (Christian; Saint)

Feast of Hathor and Min (Ancient Egypt)

Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Roman Catholic)

Feast of the Queenship of Mary

George Herriman (Artology)

Guinefort (Christian; Saint)

Harrison (Positivist; Saint)

Hippolytus (Christian; Saint)

Ignatius Reilly Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Jacques Lipchitz (Artology)

Janmashtami (Festival celebrating birth of Krishna; India)

Kelly Freas (Artology)

Muin (Blackberry; Celtic Book of Days)

Nu Kea Day (Chinese Healing Goddess; Everyday Wicca)

Order of the Rosy Cross Foundation Day

Philibert (Christian; Saint)

Queenship of Mary (Christian; Saint)

Ray Bradbury (Writerism)

Roberto Aizenberg (Artology)

Rumpleskunkskin’s Wedding (Goblin Celebration; Shamanism)

Sigfrid (Christian; Saint)

Symphorian (Christian; Saint)

Tarantula Teasing Day (Pastafarian)

Timotheus (Christian; Saint)

Timothy, Hippolytus & Symphorian (Christian; Martyrs)

Virgo zodiac sign begins (Pagan)

The Weatherberries (Muppetism)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]

Premieres

Alice in the Big League (Disney Cartoon; 1927)

And Now For Something Completely Different (Film; 1972)

Another One Bites the Dust, by Queen (Song; 1980)

Bimbo’s Express (Betty Boop Cartoon; 1931)

Blitz Wolf (Tex Avery MGM Cartoon; 1942)

Bojack Horseman (Animated TV Series; 2014)

Bootle Beetle (Disney Cartoon; 1947)

Clown on the Farm (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1957)

The Cocktail Party, by T.S. Eliot (Play; 1949)

Dancing in the Streets, recorded by Martha and the Vandellas (Song; 1966)

Ghosts, by Henrik Ibsen (Play; 1883)

G.I. Jane (Film; 1997)

Hamlet 2 (Film; 2008)

High Plains Drifter (Film; 1973)

The House Bunny (Film; 2008)

The Ice Carnival (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1941)

If I Stay (Film; 2014)

Joy in the Morning, by P.G. Wodehouse (Novel; 1947) [Jeeves #8]

Jumpin’ at the Woodside, recorded by Count Basie (Song; 1938)

The Mild West (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1947)

Top-pop-a-da, Two Bass Hit and Ow!, recorded by Dizzy Gillespie (Song; 1947)

Plop Goes the Weasel (WB LT Cartoon; 1953)

Porky’s Poultry Plant (WB LT Cartoon; 1936)

The Saint, by Burt Barer (Film Novelization; 1997) [Saint #51]

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (Film; 2014)

The Skeleton Dance (Silly Symphonies Disney Cartoon; 1929)

Stand By Me (Film; 1986)

Stormy Seas (Ub Iwerks MGM Cartoon; 1932)

Toby Tortoise Returns (Silly Symphonies Disney Cartoon; 1936)

Travelaffs (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1958)

Today’s Name Days

Regina, Siegfried (Austria)

Marija, Regina, Vladislava (Croatia)

Bohuslav (Czech Republic)

Symphorian (Denmark)

Iivo, Ivalo, Ivar, Ivari, Ivo (Estonia)

Iivari, Iivo (Finland)

Fabrice (France)

Maria Regina, Regina, Sigfried (Germany)

Menyhért, Mirjam (Hungary)

Fabrizio, Maria, Regina (Italy)

Nadīna, Rudīte (Latvia)

Ipolitas, Karijotas, Rimantė, Sigitas, Zygfridas (Lithuania)

Harriet, Harry (Norway)

Cezary, Dalegor, Fabrycjan, Fabrycy, Hipolit, Hipolita, Maria, Namysław, Oswald, Oswalda, Tymoteusz, Zygfryd (Poland)

Tichomír (Slovakia)

María, Timoteo (Spain)

Henrietta, Henrika (Sweden)

Florence, Florent (Ukraine)

Hayden, Hazel, Heath, Heather, Hector (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 235 of 2024; 131 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 4 of Week 34 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Coll (Hazel) [Day 20 of 28]

Chinese: Month 7 (Ren-Shen), Day 19 (Wu-Wu)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 18 Av 5784

Islamic: 16 Safar 1446

J Cal: 25 Purple; Foursday [25 of 30]

Julian: 9 August 2024

Moon: 88%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 10 Gutenberg (9th Month) [Harrison]

Runic Half Month: As (Gods) [Day 15 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 64 of 94)

Week: 3rd Full Week of August

Zodiac: Virgo (Day 1 of 32)

Calendar Changes

Virgo (The Virgin) begins [Zodiac Sign 6; thru 9.22]

[murderousink23]

08/22/2023 is Folklore Day 🇧🇷, National Flag Day 🇷🇺, National Bao Day 🇺🇲, National Pecan Torte Day 🇺🇲, National Tooth Fairy Day 🦷🧚‍♀️🇺🇲, National Take Your Cat To The Vet Day 😺🇺🇲, National Rainbow Baby Day 🌈👶, International Day of Remembrance for Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief

[the-stephen-mcclanahan]

Toriyama and The Super Villain share One Beer upon the Lathe of Heaven

"Fuck bitches, get money." – Bulma, probably

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm really fucked up about Toriyama-san passing. This is a series of unmeasured mournings I've never had the chance to process. Death is around every corner; beware, here there be Dragon(s) {Ball}.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gadzooks, Punk's Dead

Stella was 19 and waifish; picture a whispy, mud-grey shorthair cat on spindly legs with one glassy eye, her haggard mew calling through night and day like an omen. She would leap from high places her joints had no right to hold up against. I loved that beleaguered creature with all my heart. When my ex introduced me to her the first time I visited her apartment, I felt my soul tether to this witchy feline.

In January 2022, while my then-partner was away with her mother on a beach trip, I watched as the reliably lively kitty crone lay lonely through the day, her cold demeanor echoing the silence I knew in my gut meant something was wrong. She wouldn't join me on the bed that night, and when I awoke I found her prone in the dirty litter box tucked away in the closet. Her breathing was shallow and her cries quiet, and through hot flashes of tears, I swaddled her while I made phone calls to the coast and the vet and anyone who would listen. I didn't know when I handed her over to the VCA that I was loving her for the last time, that she had fought to live long enough that I could escort her to the Gates. I told her I loved her, but in my fear, I never thought to thank her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Take Me to Your Leader

Why is it always fucking Instagram? New Year's Eve 2020 – months of anguished self-interrogation at the thought of stepping outside the house crudely shoved into its ill-fitting psychic compartment like so much crinkled Christmas wrapping paper – and the cosmic saxophone playing us off the stage dampens to a wet fart when XXL reports on my timeline that DOOM departed Primary Reality on Halloween. The soundtrack of my young adulthood scratched, DJ falling face-first onto the Wheels of Steel, no beat in his heart; we've been ratted out, boys, so cheese it, before the Heat comes on.

Daniel Dumile was a different breed; he didn't want the cult or the recognition. He wanted to make dope shit. Go listen to the Red Bull interview again. The Mask wasn't a gimmick, it was him; he polished the cracks and snags of his optics until there was no tactile humanity to cling on to, a mirror shine of accountability on his metal for every pimple-faced geek like me who looked up to him. It was never about Dumile. He was there in the rhymes, in the beats. We obsessed over alter egos and collaborations and SAMPLES – would I have cared about Sade Adu without the Villain? – and he croaked having only ever wanted to make dope shit.

DOOM comes for us all.

I never got to thank him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Wall Around the Place

In 2018, on an errant trip to my folks', I stumbled across a repost of Ursula K. Le Guin's National Book Awards speech with the caption "R.I.P.". My mother graced me with several rare (for us) minutes of silence when I told her I didn't know how to be. When I left my childhood home a half-an-hour later, the air was astringent and the wet-land pasture outside my window buzzed with insect chatter.

The Earthsea books are everything I aspire to in my creative work. Le Guin covered more of the human soul in sentences a fraction of the length these fucking dorks propped up by the ~ C A N O N ~ could've dreamed to pen. She liberally seasoned her work with radical ideologies and served it all wrapped in fairy-tale fantasy and, whelp, I've pretty much chased that feeling since middle school. I still haven't found it.

She was a long-time resident of Portland and spoke regularly at events in the city. At that point in my life, I'd lived an hour away from her. I never got to thank her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Journey to the (Pacific North)West

Silverton High School's library in 2009 was brand new off a bond measure issued 20 years before, and each ripple from those taxpayer dollars over the years brought Dragon Ball Vol. 1 nearer to the front desk display counter where I initially found it. The bright red cover featuring a child Goku recalled hours of my youth yearning for the Z-Fighters in action I was forbidden from by my reactionary parents. I picked up the book with a curiosity steeped in taboo.

God*DAMN, that book annihilated my 14-year-old brain; martial arts battles and panty jokes and nazi-coded bad guys and magic orbs that summoned a dragon to grant your wish and how THA FUK was this in Bum-fuck-Nowhere, Oregon? On a high school library bookshelf?

[ No, seriously, how in THE ACTUAL FUCK was this in my public school library?!?!]

When I exhausted the 3 volumes in the school, I stalked through the town library, scraped together rare side-job dollars for bookstores, and clawed at low-res scans on shady websites. Dragon Ball was the first manga I read cover-to-cover, not to mention my gateway into almost every other thing I would obsess over for the next decade-and-a-half. There is a direct line of influence from my years of martial arts training to finding Dragon Ball to picking up Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers, ruining me forever. Without Goku's adventures, I wouldn't have fallen in love with Hip–Hop; I never would have gotten fit; no Neon Genesis for me, and everything that comes with it. Hell, DOOM's sonic universe of comic-book shenanigans probably owes some debt to Akira Toriyama for my avid fixation. So many lives have touched mine for ripples from the rock dropped by Dragon Ball into the river of my soul.

Toriyama's passing this month is cold and familiar, an estranged uncle you never felt the pressing urge to know until it was too late. I've played in his sandbox countless times, running the gamut of emotion through every fantasy he painstakingly crafted within those pages. Dragon Ball is not just my childhood but the majority of my life, intimate in the way only boon companions can be. I've never known much about Toriyama Akira outside of his oeuvre, and his death is a wound deeper than any blade or bullet can bring because I am not here without Stelly or Metal Face or Le Guin or Toriyama-sensei.

I never got a chance to thank him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Boldly Go

I was 8 when we scattered Robert's ashes.

We set out for the Oregon coast, our party of faintly realized familial connections from around the States, and found an unremarkable cove for our bitter deed. I was too young to know what ~absence~ – as in a lifetime – could mean; to me, Uncle Bob was returning Home, the waves a sublime chariot into the Beyond. I had known he was sick, but not quite in the way I knew Stella was sick; visits to his Portland apartment – wall-to-wall, top-to-bottom with the gleam of bagged and boarded single-issue comic books – were filled with tense silence as the subject of his terminal condition was daintily avoided by my mother, beside herself with stoic grief.

Robert was the first person I can remember who loved me unconditionally; who doted on me just for existing; who staged elaborate magic tricks that flourished with X-Men comics and Star Trek episodes to misdirect me from his predictable disappearance. HIV is a bitch of a Final Boss and my uncle became yet another barely-closeted gay man with fringe interests to stain the legacy of his conservative bloodline by succumbing to its cruel assault. I loved him and didn't know how to mourn him because I had never mourned a death before, and my models for that ritual didn't either, fearing him as much as they loved him, too.

The countable hours I shared with my uncle before his passing were the first cracks in the foundation of my stasis, the punctuation hanging at the end of every doubt. Without my Uncle, I never join GSA in high school, and never find all of the Queer people I keep close to my heart; without my mother's love beyond fear for her brother, I never learn to love art as I love life; without Robert, I never find Dragon Ball.

As we sent his ashes drifting into the Pacific Ocean, I whispered to the wind that I loved him.

I never thought to thank him until now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I've shed too many tears over this stupid exercise in ~ R E L E A S E ~ to mention the countless others, so let's wrap this up:

Epilogue

My oathsworn brother – the one who's Instagram message broke the news of Toriyama-san's passing – called me an hour or so later after I told him I was crying. I confided in him my great shame of never sharing with Sensei how grateful I was for his effort in the struggle against human loneliness.

"He knows," I heard through the phone, without hesitation. "He's up on some lotus flower contemplating it all. He knows."

The Dead don't need our thanks: their peace is transcendent. We give our thanks to them for ourselves, to assuage the monotonous pain of knowing that many of us perish without Justice and only some pass Beyond having taken on more than their share of the burden to any lasting effect. The Congo is burning, Gaza is rubble, and I can't stop thinking about what went through Toriyama's mind when he drew Vegeta hugging his son for the first time before the redeemed villain’s predictable disappearance.

Don't just tell your people you love them. Thank them.

[brookston]

Holidays 8.22

Holidays

America’s Cup Day

Baltic Unity Day (Latvia)

Be An Angel Day

Chuck Brown Day

Dia do Folclore (Folklore Day; Brazil)

Exercise Day

Feast of the Queenship of Mary

Flag Day (Russia)

International Apostasy Day

International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion of Belief (UN)

International Museum Meme Day

Liquid Soap Day

Loch Ness Monster Day

Madras Day (India)

National Firefighters Day (Mexico)

National Pamela Day

National Punctuation Day

National Rainbow Baby Day

National Surgical Oncologist Day

National Tooth Fairy Day (also 2.28)

Never Bean Better Day

Pocketphone Day

Rumpleskunkskin’s Wedding (Goblin celebration)

Salmon Day (French Republic)

Southern Hemisphere Hoodie-Hoo Day

Take Your Cat to the Vet Day

Tunamint (Natural Chimneys, Virginia)

World Folklore Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Eat a Peach Day

National Bao Day

National Pecan Torte Day

World Jolly Rice Day

World Plant Milk Day

Independence Days

Arstotzkan Union (Declared, 2019) [unrecognized]

Wakamawabla (Declared, 2016) [unrecognized]

Feast Days

Andrew (Christian; Saint)

Archibald Willard (Artology)

Double Seventh Festival (a.k.a. Qi Xi Festival, Chinese Valentine's Day or Feast of the Milky Way; China) [7th Day of 7th Month]

Fabrizio (Christian; Saint)

Feast of Hathor and Min (Ancient Egypt)

Guinefort (Christian; Saint)

Harrison (Positivist; Saint)

Hippolytus (Christian; Saint)

Ignatius Reilly Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Immaculate Heart of Mary (Roman Catholic)

Janmashtami (Festival celebrating birth of Krishna; India)

Philibert (Christian; Saint)

Queenship of Mary (Christian; Saint)

Symphorian (Christian; Saint)

Tarantula Teasing Day (Pastafarian)

Timotheus (Christian; Saint)

Virgo zodiac sign begins (Pagan)

The Weatherberries (Muppetism)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]

Premieres

Alice in the Big League (Disney Cartoon; 1927)

And Now For Something Completely Different (Film; 1972)

Another One Bites the Dust, by Queen (Song; 1980)

Bojack Horseman (Animated TV Series; 2014)

Bootle Beetle (Disney Cartoon; 1947)

The Cocktail Party, by T.S. Eliot (Play; 1949)

Dancing in the Streets, recorded by Martha and the Vandellas (Song; 1966)

Ghosts, by Henrik Ibsen (Play; 1883)

G.I. Jane (Film; 1997)

Hamlet 2 (Film; 2008)

High Plains Drifter (Film; 1973)

The House Bunny (Film; 2008)

If I Stay (Film; 2014)

Joy in the Morning, by P.G. Wodehouse (Novel; 1947) [Jeeves #8]

Jumpin’ at the Woodside, recorded by Count Basie (Song; 1938)

Plop Goes the Weasel (WB LT Cartoon; 1953)

Porky’s Poultry Plant (WB LT Cartoon; 1936)

The Saint, by Burt Barer (Film Novelization; 1997) [Saint #51]

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (Film; 2014)

The Skeleton Dance (Disney Cartoon; 1929)

Stand By Me (Film; 1986)

Toby Tortoise Returns (Disney Cartoon; 1936)

Today’s Name Days

Regina, Siegfried (Austria)

Marija, Regina, Vladislava (Croatia)

Bohuslav (Czech Republic)

Symphorian (Denmark)

Iivo, Ivalo, Ivar, Ivari, Ivo (Estonia)

Iivari, Iivo (Finland)

Fabrice (France)

Maria Regina, Regina, Sigfried (Germany)

Menyhért, Mirjam (Hungary)

Fabrizio, Maria, Regina (Italy)

Nadīna, Rudīte (Latvia)

Ipolitas, Karijotas, Rimantė, Sigitas, Zygfridas (Lithuania)

Harriet, Harry (Norway)

Cezary, Dalegor, Fabrycjan, Fabrycy, Hipolit, Hipolita, Maria, Namysław, Oswald, Oswalda, Tymoteusz, Zygfryd (Poland)

Tichomír (Slovakia)

María, Timoteo (Spain)

Henrietta, Henrika (Sweden)

Florence, Florent (Ukraine)

Hayden, Hazel, Heath, Heather, Hector (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 234 of 2024; 131 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 2 of week 34 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Coll (Hazel) [Day 15 of 28]

Chinese: Month 7 (Geng-Shen), Day 7 (Ren-Zi)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 5 Elul 5783

Islamic: 5 Safar 1445

J Cal: 24 Hasa; Threesday [24 of 30]

Julian: 9 August 2023

Moon: 32%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 10 Gutenberg (9th Month) [Harrison]

Runic Half Month: As (Gods) [Day 10 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 62 of 94)

Zodiac: Virgo (Day 1 of 32)

Calendar Changes

Virgo (The Virgin) begins [Zodiac Sign 6; thru 9.22]

[bestmessage]

National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day Messages & Quotes

This day is a reminder to all of us to take our cats to their vets in order to have them checked. Choose from the collection of Happy National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day messages and wishes to post on social media and wish everyone around you.

[petblues]

Ways to Improve Your Pet's Care

Ways to Improve Your Pet's Care

National Pet Week takes place from May 4 to 10, 2014. Pets make our life more enjoyable. Celebrate and appreciate them this week by promising to be the best pet parents we can be. Begin with the following five tips for taking better care of our animal family members:

1. Make time to work on them. Pets, like humans, become out of shape without physical activity. To help prevent numerous behavioral and medical problems, it is critical to get 1 hour of physical activity every day of the week. You can even divide the hour of exercise into three or four short bursts of enjoyment. In the morning, take a 15-minute walk around the block. When you get home from work, toss the ball in the backyard. Then, after supper, go for a 30-minute walk around the neighborhood with the whole family. Provide a stimulating atmosphere for cats by providing a variety of toys.

2. Make time for cerebral exercise as well. For their mental health, 15 minutes of mental exercise is equivalent to one hour of physical play. The more cerebral stimulation we give disciplining a cat, the less likely they are to acquire undesired behaviors. Feed your pet's meals using a special food-dispensing ball. Toss a handful of food into the yard and let your pet sniff around for hidden goodies. Once or twice a day, for 10 minutes at a time, practice basic obedience (sit, remain, and down).

3. Provide excellent dental care at home. Pets, too, have teeth. Brush your pets' teeth once a day. Provide an enzymatic chew instead to help reduce tartar accumulation, tooth problems, and foul breath.

4. Take your pet to the vet at least once a year. Pets live for 7 years for every human year. Taking your pet to the vet once a year for an exam and bloodwork is equivalent to going to the doctor every 7 years!

Finally, have some fun with your pet! Take advantage of the time you have with your pet. Your puppy or kitten will be a senior citizen before you realize it, and you'll wonder where the time has gone. Make a close connection with your pet. Remember, they love you unconditionally.

Select your breed with caution, especially if you have children. It is a mistake to just decide "I want a dog" (or any other animal) and then purchase the animal without considering the breed's demands and requirements.[4]

Some breeds are natural shepherds, making them ideal for one person, but others (such as the Border Collie) have the sheep-herding instinct in their blood. This means that if a child wanders too far away from the rest of the "herd," the collie will try to reclaim it. How does it work with sheep? It stings them. Children may suffer serious injuries as a result of this. Please conduct study on how different breeds act.

It is critical that a pet lives in an environment where it will be comfortable, safe, and well-cared for. Some animals, such as cats, are quite versatile and can live contentedly in surroundings ranging from country area to city centers, whilst others have more specialized requirements. Horses, for example, require a large amount of pastureland as well as a safe place to shelter.