Did You Know: These Father’s Day Facts

As you know, Father’s Day occurs in the month of June. Here are some of the facts about our country's dads that you may not have known:

• Did you know that the concept of Father's Day was first proposed in 1909 by Washingtonian native Mrs. John B. Dodd? Her inspiration for the holiday was to honor her own father, William Smart, a Civil War veteran and single dad, widowed when his wife died in childbirth with their sixth child.


• Did you know that Mrs. Dodd's vision did not become reality until 63 years later? In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day.


• Did you know that Americans aren't the only ones to celebrate their dads? In the United States and over 50 other countries around the world, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June. The first Sunday in June is when Lithuanian dads are honored; and on the second Sunday, dads in Austria and Belgium have their special day.


• Did you know that there are 64.3 million fathers in America?


• Did you know that in families where the mother works outside of the home, 14% of fathers are full-time stay-at-home dads?


• Did you know that nearly a quarter of all married dads have three or more children living at home?


• Did you know two-thirds of children under the age of six eat dinner with their dads every day?


• Did you know that six out ten children under the age of six were praised at least three times a day by their fathers?


• Did you know that one in twelve men serving in the US Army are dads?
  

Lost & Found - Can’t find your pet? Here is how to get him back.

It’s every pet owner’s worst nightmare: Your furry friend is missing and you don’t know what to do. “The key is not to wait,” says Stephen Zawistowski, Ph.D. executive vice president of the ASPCA. “The sooner you start searching, the more likely you are to find your pet.”
Use this step-by-step guide to ensure a reunion

• Step 1: The minute you realize your pet is missing, search your home carefully. He might just be hiding.


• Step 2: Bring a recent photo of your pet and knock on neighbors’ doors and ask if they’ve seen her.


• Step 3: Call all the animal control agencies, shelter (municipal & private) and rescue groups within 20 miles of your home. If your town doesn’t have an animal control department, call the police.


• Step 4: Make a “lost pet” flyer with photo, description, and contact info. Hand them out at dog parks and dog runs.


• Step 5: Post & read lost & found messages on online animal forums such as the Center for Lost Pets. Also, consider placing a classified ad in the local newspaper, most will you run one for free.


• Step 6: Put your pet’s bed or favorite blanket on the porch or in the front yard in plain site as invite to come home.


• Step 7: Check in with all local shelters in person. Sometimes it is hard to match them to a written description.


• Step 8: Don’t give in to doom-and-gloom thinking. Pets are more resilient than we give them credit for.
  
  Best Lost-Pet Websites:
  — www.hecenterforlostpets.com
  — www.togethertag.com
  — www.fidofinder.com
  — www.tabbytracker.com
  By Maridel Reyes