Australia Day Gives Us Reasons to Celebrate

Australia Day 2022 is upon us with lots to celebrate today, Wednesday 26 January. Australia Day is the day to reflect on “what it means to be Australian, to celebrate contemporary Australia and to acknowledge our history,” according to the Australia Day Organisation. Thanks to COVID concerns, some events are canceled this year, but some regions cite the high vaccination rate as a reason to continue the festivities. No matter what, be sure to check your local area for details. That said, we have a few ideas of what you can do to celebrate on your own, with your family and your dog. Read on!

Fly the Aussie flag!

The national message for Australia Day is: "Reflect. Respect. Celebrate." Waving the flag is always the best way to celebrate this. 

Cook your favorite food 

Australians know all about great food. From great BBQ to summer berry pavlova and a delicious Anzac biscuit, there is something delicious for us all to enjoy. Check out some of these yummy treats from ABC News about Australian food. 

Play Your Favorite Game 

Aussies have the best games! Here's a great read about the top games to play for Australia day. It includes backyard cricket, cockroach races and Toss the Thong! 

walk your dog month

The month of January is also National Walk Your Dog Month. This is a good opportunity to take time and get out the door and walk the dog. According to Victoria State Government, there are many reasons to take your dog for a walk to stay healthy mentally and physically. Many of us have come off the “holiday hangover” where we shop, eat, celebrate with friends and family. Then in January, we don’t get out as much as we did before. This is the perfect opportunity to get out and exercise. We all know we have a very willing participant to go with us: the dog!

Here are a few reasons to get outside and walk your dog, as well as places to go with your beloved fur-baby:

1. Train your dog to behave on the leash. If you haven't gotten out with your dog in a while, learning to be on the leash is a great skill for you both to master. 
2. Start with short walks and increase your distance. An easy, walkable place to enjoy is the dog park. 
3. As it is tremendously warm outside, avoid walking during the hottest parts of the day. Try to walk in the early hours to avoid peak heat in the sun. 
4. Dress for the hot weather and bring plenty of water for you and the dog!
5. Allow your dog to adventure as they smell their environment outside of their own yard. This also helps them familiarize themselves with their surroundings in case they should escape. It's always good they know where they are outside of the fence they live in. 
6. Remember to bring waste bags as you don't want to forget to clean up after your dog. 

Check out our warm weather tips blog to refresh you with ideas on keeping your pets safe when they are outside.

Some believe committing to a 30-minute walk a few times a week will help both you and your dog maintain good health. Start slow and work your way up. Then increase as you can. You will see tremendous health benefits for both you and your dog. And you may even meet some friends doing the same thing.

What else will you be doing to celebrate Australia Day? Whatever it is, enjoy your weekend and stay safe!