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HUG YOUR KID DAY

By Diane Forrest

Last week was Make a difference to a Child Day.  We talked about spending time with your child and the activities you can do with your child.  Being a young parent can be very stressful.  You have long hours of working, not enough time to spend with family or friends, and lists of chores to get done.  It feels like there isn’t enough time in the day to get all you want to get done.  Sometimes in all the hustle and bustle of daily life, kids can be pushed back, placed on the back burner.  These are the times that we as parents need to stop, take a breath, and grab our children and hold them tight. They need to know that no matter what else is going on around them, there is nothing more important to you than them.  It doesn't take long to give your child a hug, kiss them and tell them you love them.  All too quickly they grow up into the dreaded teenagers, who don't want to be seen with you.  My baby will be 26 this year.  I don't get to see him often; he lives in a different city.  He was home last month, and when I saw him I gave him a hug.  No longer is he the sweet little boy I used to pick up and hold, but he is now a man twice my size who’s hugs squeeze the life out of me. But there is no better feeling than the hug from your child.

Today is Global Hug your Kid Day and was founded in 2008 by Michelle Nichols, a 25-year sales veteran and longtime Business Week columnist whose son, Mark, died suddenly at 8 1/2 years old from brain cancer in 1998.  This made me think of another family who recently lost their 15-year-old son to pancreatic cancer, and countless other parents who have lost children due to diseases or accidents.  I was reading about a sweet little 4-year-old boy who was helping his father at work, taking pictures in a cemetery, when a tombstone fell on him and crushed him. These parents will never have the opportunity to hug their children again, so don't waste another minute giving your child or children hugs. If you don't have any children, hug your brother, sister, grandchild, niece or nephew, any child.  I would be wary of hugging stranger's children though, they may think you are a creeper and hit you over the head with an umbrella.  But today, and every day, never passes up an opportunity to hug your child.  Hugs are free, but they last a lifetime.

(Photos from Google) 

Puppy Day

By Diane Forrest

One year my husband and I decided to go garage sale shopping around town.  One home we visited had just had a litter of collies, and my husband went nuts! He just had to have one.  Since they had just been born, we left our name and number so when they were ready, we could get a call to pick one to adopt.  The next week we got a call from the owner.  Her son had been in an accident, and she was going to have to leave town to care for him.  She was concerned about the runt of the litter, who had to be bottle-fed, and asked if we would take him now.  Of course my husband agreed quickly, and we soon found ourselves with a new baby.  In fact, that was his name, Baby.  We got a little bottle, and fed him goats milk.  When we first got him, he could fit in the palm of your hand, but after weeks of feeding and caring for this newborn, he quickly grew into a happy puppy.  

Unfortunately my husband who had been injured, was not able to take care of him when he grew bigger, but the original owner had returned from caring for  her son, so we returned the puppy to her. 

Today is National Puppy Day.  According to nationapuppyday.com,   National Puppy Day was founded in 2006 by Pet Lifestyle Expert, Animal Behaviorist and Author, Colleen Paige, who is also the founder of National Dog Day and National Cat Day. This holiday, as well as others, are part of Colleen Paige's Animal Miracle Foundation & Network, a non-profit organization which offers financial assistance and educational programs ranging from pet cancer to fire safety and travel safety for kids and pets alike. AMF also hosts many wonderful holiday festivals and trade shows throughout each year and brings local shelter pets to these events hoping to find them a forever home.  Click on this site to learn more about this day, and ways to celebrate, and consider adopting a puppy today.  http://www.nationalpuppyday.com/waystocelebrate.htm

Most Popular Dog Names

• Bella
• Bandit
• Charlie
• Cassie
• Duke 
• Dutchess
• Houston
• Jasmine
• Laddie 
• Lela
• Maggie
• Marmaduke 
• Molly
• Sophie
• Snoopy
• Spike
• Winston 
• Tillie
• Truman
• Zeus

Celebrating National Hugging Day

(Google Image)

By Terry Orr

Hugs and hugging are one of those emotions that should never go out of style!  An expression of caring, love and friendship – we are sometimes just too far removed from our fellow beings.  Hugging pets is also a beautiful thing that all can enjoy.

(Google Image)

According to punchbowl.com - Scientific studies have demonstrated that hugs are incredibly good for us. A hug can lower your blood pressure, trigger the release of healthy hormones (like oxytocin), and relieve stress. Doctors recommend a minimum of 4-6 hugs per day for our emotional and physiological well-being, but more is always better!

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The record for most hugs given in one hour by an individual is 1,749. Nick Vujicic achieved this feat at an expo center in Oregon in 2010.

(Google Image)

References and Links:

http://4tenderheart.com/hugpoem1.html

(Google Image)

(Google Image)

Global Hug your Kid Day

(Google Image) 

By Diane Forrest

When is the last time you went to a family reunion, or visited an elderly family member?  You will probably hear them tell you how much you have grown since they saw you last, hear phrases like...I remember when I used to change your diapers, or last time I saw you, you were no bigger than a minute. 

(Google Image) 

For those family members you don't get to see frequently, time passes quickly.  One minute you are newborn, the next you are beginning school. Before you know it you are driving, in high school, getting married, then having children of your own.  Being a young parent can be very stressful.  You have long hours of working, not enough time to spend with family or friends, and lists of chores to get done.  It feels like there isn’t enough time in the day to get all you want to get done.  Sometimes in all the hustle and bustle of daily life, kids can be pushed back, placed on the back burner.  These are the times that we as parents need to stop, take a breath, and grab our children and hold them tight. They need to know that no matter what else is going on around them, there is nothing more important to you than them.  It doesn't take long to give your child a hug, kiss them and tell them you love them.  All too quickly they grow up into the dreaded teenagers, who don't want to be seen with you. 

(Google Image) 

My baby will be 25 this year.  I don't get to see him often; he lives in a different city.  He was home during the 4th of July, and when I saw him I gave him a hug.  No longer is he the sweet little boy I used to pick up and hold, but he is now a man twice my size who’s hugs squeezes the life out of me. But there is no better feeling than the hug from your child.

(Google Image) 

Today is Global Hug your Kid Day.  Global Hug Your Kids Day was founded in 2008 by Michelle Nichols, a 25-year sales veteran and longtime Business Week columnist. Her son, Mark, died suddenly at 8 1/2 years old from brain cancer in 1998.  This made me think of another family who recently lost their 15 year old son to pancreatic cancer, and counties other parents who have lost children due to diseases or accidents. 

(Google Image) 

I was reading about a sweet little 4 year old boy who was helping his father at work, taking pictures in a cemetery, when a tombstone fell on him and crushed him. These parents will never have the opportunity to hug their children again, so don't waste another minute giving your child or children hugs. If you don't have any children, hug your brother, sister, grandchild, niece or nephew, any child.  I would be wary of hugging stranger's children though, they may think you are a creeper and hit you over the head with an umbrella.  But today, and every day, never pass up an opportunity to hug your child. 

(Google Image) 

Hugs are free, but they last a lifetime.

Hugging Day

National Hugging Day – January 21^st

By Akindman,

From the get go folks – hugs should be given daily – regardless of location, time or any other potential restrictions.  We simply do not show our emotions and warmth enough with other people, pets, etc.!

So go ahead, share a hug with someone!!