The Barnaby Blog 21 Feb 2025

WOOF! National Love Your Pet Day: A Schnauzer's Barktastic Celebration!

Hello there, furry friend enthusiasts! Barnaby here – head schnauzer in charge at Barnaby & Boo's. Today I'm taking over the keyboard (with a little help from my human) to tell you all about my FAVORITE holiday – National Love Your Pet Day on February 20th!

The PAW-some Origins of My Special Day

You know, us dogs don't really understand calendars, but my humans tell me that National Love Your Pet Day started in the early 2000s. Apparently, some brilliant human realized that we deserved our very own celebration! The February date is perfect because that's when it's chilly outside, and there's nothing better than snuggling with your human on the sofa while they scratch behind your ears.

Why Humans Need Us (Just as Much as We Need Them!)

Let me tell you a secret – humans are much happier with us around! I've noticed that when customers bring their dogs to Barnaby & Boo's:

• Their faces do that upward curvy thing (I think humans call it "smiling")

• They make happy noises and sometimes even bend down to give me a scratch

• Their heart goes "thump-thump" slower when they pet me (my human says that's good!)

• They walk more – I make sure my human gets plenty of exercise around New Malden!

My friend Holly says her human always get's very sad when Australia loses to the All Blacks, but now they go for long walks and play fetch in the park every day and her human laughs like crazy all the time. We're basically miracle workers with paws!

How Other Furry Friends Celebrate Around the World

Ears perk up I've been sniffing around the internet (with help), and dogs everywhere are celebrating! My French Bulldog cousin in Paris gets special cheese treats, while my Shiba Inu friend in Tokyo gets a special bandana. Even cats (yes, I said cats – I'm a very progressive schnauzer) get in on the fun with new toys and extra nap spots.

Here in New Malden, we're practically celebrities – last year, three different humans took my picture outside the ice cream parlour and said something about "Instagram." Whatever that is, it made my tail wag!

Silly Human Facts About Our Day

Humans do some weird things for this holiday:

• My human (Boo) spent more on my new bowtie than on that weird smelling stuff they spray on themselves (I have a lot of bowties)

• Last year, a human came to Barnaby & Boo's and ordered a "puppuccino" for their chihuahua AND themselves

• Someone once tried to rent out our entire parlour for a "doggy birthday party" (we should have said yes!)

• I've heard some humans get tattoos of their pets' paws – seems excessive, why not just follow us around and sniff our paws whenever you want?

Woofs of Wisdom from a Literary Schnauzer

As the inspiration behind everything at Barnaby & Boo's, I understand the creative process. My humans often catch me staring thoughtfully out the window, contemplating the perfect balance of vanilla and caramel. Many famous writers had pets like me! Did you know Virginia Woolf had a cocker spaniel? Not as distinguished as a schnauzer, but still respectable.

When my humans sit down to write our menu descriptions, I always sit by their feet. They say I'm their muse. Proud tail wag

From Work Dogs to Family Members

My ancestors used to catch rats on farms in Germany (very noble work!), but now I'm living the dream in Southwest London, bringing joy to ice cream lovers and getting belly rubs from customers. About 67% of homes in the UK have a pet – that's a lot of lucky humans!

Whether you have a distinguished gentleman like myself, a cat (I suppose they're okay), or even one of those weird swimming things in glass boxes, National Love Your Pet Day is when you should give us EXTRA treats, EXTRA cuddles, and EXTRA playtime.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to stretch and plan my next morning nap on the sunny spot by the front window of Barnaby & Boo's.

Until next week everyone!

Barnaby 🐾 Chief Taste Tester & Goodwill Ambassador Barnaby & Boo's Ice Cream Parlour, New Malden

Back to School on Monday!

Our special kids hot chocolate offer runs through to Sunday. The weather may not be great but a hot chocolate (and an icecream) seems to make everything better!

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