Just about everyone has had a pet that has passed on, and that’s why Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day is such an important day to so many people. This day is celebrated on August 28th every year and is a day when people can remember the pet companions that have died over the years. This makes it a great day for pet owners to mourn the loss of their pets—pets that had become trusted members of their family.

The History of Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day

This day was first celebrated on August 28, 2013, when Deborah Barnes created it to say goodbye to her cat, Mr. Jazz. She was an author and a blogger of Zee & Zoey’s Cat Chronicles, which helped her get the word out about this day of remembrance. From then on, it has begun to gain a life of its own, and now people are celebrating it all over the world.

Facts About Our Pet Friends

Pets are an integral part of so many of our lives, so any discussion of this observance day would be remiss without talking about the pets that are the centerpiece of this day. Below are some interesting facts about pets that most people will appreciate.

• Over 85 million cats and 78 million dogs live in the United States.
• Approximately 40% to 46% of pet owners learn about their pets through word of mouth.
• 25% to 27% of all cats acquired are picked up as strays.
• Cats spend approximately 20% of their day grooming themselves.
• Cats have more than 100 different vocal sounds.
• A dog’s sense of smell is so sensitive, it can detect a teaspoon of sugar in two Olympic swimming pools of water.
• A dog’s paw print is as unique as a human being’s fingerprint.
• Dogs are not completely colorblind. They can see yellow and blue.
• A dog’s eyesight is better in low-light conditions than that of humans.
• Dogs are better at tracking moving objects than humans.
• Humans can see further distances than dogs.
• Dogs are capable of sweating—they just sweat through their paw pads.
• Crocodiles cannot stick out their tongues.
• Greyhounds are the world’s fastest dogs with a top speed of 45 miles per hour.
• Less than 10% of dog owners throw a birthday party for their pet.

How To Celebrate Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day

One way to celebrate Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day is by taking the time to remember past pets. This can be done by having a remembrance party, visiting their grave, or by whatever other means a person wants to celebrate the lives of their past pets. The hashtag #RainbowBridgeRemembranceDay can also be used on social media to spread the word about this holiday and to honor past pets.