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NATIONAL MUTT DAY CELEBRATING SGT. STUBBY AND MUTTS EVERYWHERE
Ryleigh
Anna is my favorite person,
but I love meeting other people, too. When we’re at the dog park, I’ll play with
Over 80% of dogs waiting in shelters are mixed breed dogs, fondly referred to as “mutts.” While purebred dogs who end up in shelters often quickly find new homes or are taken by rescue agencies, mutts often aren’t so lucky. This is why in 2005, animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige started a holiday to raise awareness about these great dogs. National Mutt Day is celebrated on July 31 and Dec. 2 — because mutts are so awesome, they deserve more than one day! Mixed breed dogs tend to be healthier, live longer, and often need fewer emergency visits to the veterinarian. They also have wonderful personalities and unique traits that you may not find in some purebred dogs. After being rescued from a shelter, mutts can quickly become valued members of the family. One of the most famous mutts in history was a pit bull mix who would come to be called Sergeant Stubby. In 1917, a stray mutt fell into the ranks of the 102nd Infantry Regiment while they trained at Yale University. The friendly canine became the regiment’s constant companion, participating in drills and learning how to salute. When they shipped out, Stubby was smuggled onto the ship. Stubby quickly proved his worth. After surviving a poison gas attack, Stubby became very sensitive to the chemical. He would alert the soldiers before future attacks, giving them time to put on their — and Stubby’s — gas masks. The fearless dog also joined numerous raids through no man’s land to find wounded soldiers. During one patrol, Stubby uncovered a German spy hiding in the bushes. Impressed, the commanding officer “promoted” Stubby to sergeant right then. During his 18 months in Europe, Stubby participated in 17 battles, received numerous medals, and became a genuine war hero.
the other dogs for a while, but I also like to go over and get some love from the other humans.
Anna is helping me channel my love for people into being able to help everyone. In October we looked into police or service dog training. Those wouldn’t be my jobs, but I’d love to have the skills to be able to help out if someone needed me!
Don’t worry, even when I’ve completed my training, I’ll still be happy to say hello!
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. In a medium bowl,
combine molasses, honey, water, and oil, and set aside. In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and ginger. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing well until dough forms. 3. Separate dough into four equal balls. Wrap dough balls in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3–5 hours. 4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out chilled dough to 1/4-inch thick. Use dog-shaped cookie cutters to cut out treats. 5. Bake for 20–25 minutes on baking sheet until cookies start to brown. Carefully remove treats from the oven and let them cool completely before serving to your dog.
On this National Mutt Day, don’t forget to salute Sgt. Stubby, support causes that help mixed breed dogs like him, and give your favorite mutt a good scratch behind the ears.
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