Lifestyle

Dug Up at Dogster: February 2021 Dog Events and Dog Holidays

By Melissa L. Kauffman

, February 15, 2021

What do we love about being at home so much this February? Spending more time with our beloved dogs. Take the time to show your furry valentine how much you love him by taking him to one of our February 2021 dog events or celebrating one of the many February 2021 dog holidays. Don’t see your dog event on the list? Email us at dogstermag@belvoir.com and we will include your dog event.

ALL-MONTH-LONG February 2021 DOG Holidays

Dog Training Education Month

Spay and Neuter Awareness Month

Pet Dental Month

ALL-MONTH-LONG February 2021 DOG Events

Based on the children’s classic P.D. Eastman book, the series *Go, Dog, Go* can be found on Netflix starting at the end of January 2021.

January 26, 2021: Premiere of Go, Dog, Go Series

DreamWorks series Go, Dog. Go! is based on the classic children’s book —the paw-fect story of 6-year-old Tag Barker (voiced by the Emmy Award-winning, Michela Luci) on her adventures in the city of Pawston, a fun-loving community of dogs on the go. Second youngest in a giant family, Tag wants to be like the big dogs and is a skilled mechanic, constantly tinkering with anything that can go. With her ingenuity and creativity and her best friend Scooch Pooch by her side, anything is paw-sible. Executive produced by Adam Peltzman (Odd Squad, Blue’s Clues, Wallykazam!) and releases on Netflix worldwide on Jan 26.

Do not re-use as is for calendar only — Free virtual exhibition Hollywood Dogs at AKC Museum of the Dog. Photo courtesy AKC Museum of the Dog

January 5 — April 11, 2021: Hollywood Dogs Virtual Tour

Enjoy the AKC’s Museum of the Dog’s special exhibition Hollywood Dogs from the comfort of your own home. This is a free virtual event, although donations are greatly appreciated. See museumofthedog.org for more information.

January 10 – February 21, 2021: Premier of All Creatures Great and Small

Who doesn’t love Masterpiece on PBS? Now, there is another reason to watch as All Creatures Great and Small, the book about James Herriot’s adventures as a veterinarian in 1930s Yorkshire, gets a glorious new adaptation in a seven-part series. It has already been renewed for a second season! Click here to see the trailer.

February 2021: Virtual Exhibit Owney: The Mascot of the Railway Mail Service

Check out this exhibit at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum from your home!

Do not re-use as for calendar only — High Hopes is giving away free heart-shaped XOXO treats to those who nominate their favorite local animal shelter for a chance to win one of two $2,500 grants. Photo courtesy of High Hopes.

Through February 15, 2021: High Hopes for Pets Foundation Grant deadline

Nominate your favorite local animal shelter to win one of two $2,500 grants from The High Hopes for Pets Foundation. Just fill in this short nomination form. Nominations accepted through Monday, February 15, 2021. High Hopes for Pets, the mission-driven dog treats and food company founded to help homeless pets, wants to get more special treats in the hands of dog owners this Valentine’s Day while furthering its mission to end pet homelessness. Therefor, High Hopes is giving away free heart-shaped XOXO treats to those who nominate their favorite local animal shelter for a chance to win one of two $2,500 grants being awarded by The High Hopes for Pets Foundation.

February 2, 2021: National Sled Dog Day

Celebrating the sled dog’s contribution to humankind.

February 3, 2021: Doggy Date Night

Time to set apart some time to specifically do something new and fun with your dog. Since a big snow storm has blown across large parts of the country, check out these 6 Fun Games to Play with Your Dog in the Snow.

Beginning February 6, 2021: NAVC Veterinary CE at VMX Rewind

The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) announces the launch of VMX Rewind, a virtual offering of the most popular sessions featured at VMX, providing veterinary professionals the opportunity to meet their ongoing CE requirements through the topics they value most. Beginning February 6, VMX Rewind will launch a new session each weekend throughout February, providing a total of 10 continuing education (CE) credit hours. Select sessions include a live Q&A with presenters. Popular topics include:

Common Liver Conditions – David C. Twedt, DVM, DACVIM
Tooth Extraction Complications – Mark M. Smith, VMD, DACVS, DAVDC
Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome – Sarah Marvel, DVM, DACVS-SA
Old Drugs and New Tricks – Tasha McNerney, BS, CVT, CVPP, VTS

VMX Rewind will offer the sessions OnDemand for 30 days. Select sessions will feature a live and interactive Q&A component with presenters to meet interactive CE requirements. VMX Rewind is offered through the NAVC’s long-standing online education platform, VetFolio, and is free for all VMX 2021 registered attendees. It is also available for purchase at $99. To register, visit: VMX Rewind.

February 7 — February 14, 2021: Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week

Many organizations across the country bring awareness and give tips on helping get dogs off the chain and into the home where they belong.

February 14, 2021: Valentine’s Day

Show your furry Valentine how much you love him with hugs, kisses, treats, toys and walks. Also consider, what would your dog write on your Valentine’s Day card if he had thumbs?

February 14, 2021: Rescue Speed Dating

Looking for a furrific long-term relationship? Spend five minutes with a variety of rescue dogs (and their escorts) to learn their likes and dislikes at the Broad River Hemp Company in Shelby, North Carolina (or the event will be virtual). More at cliffordsarmyrescue.com

Do not re-use, for calendar only — All winners for the 2020 DWAA writing competition will be revealed on Sunday, February 14th. Photo courtesy DWAA.

February 14, 2021: 2020 Dog Writers Association of America’s Virtual Awards Banquet

The Dog Writers Association of America invites you to join them for the DWAA 2021 Virtual Writing Competition Event. Due to the pandemic, DWAA is going virtual this year and will announce the winners in a special Facebook event on Sunday, February 14, 2021, at 6 pm ET. Tune in to celebrate the nominees and winners, those being inducted into the DWAA Hall of Fame, and the winner of the AKC’s Distinguished Service Award. Additionally, the DWAA will be making some important announcements. Every year, all attendees of the DWAA Event receive a copy of the official program. This year because we are going virtual with the event, everyone can follow along, print a copy if desired, and/or save it as a keepsake. All winners will be revealed on Sunday. Click here to access the 2020 Writing Competition official program or click the cover above. View all the finalists by visiting the DWAA finalist page here. The page will be updated with the winners on 02/15 after the virtual ceremony.

February 15-16, 2021: Canine Health Summit presented by Embrace

Embark, world leader in dog genetics, announces its first annual two-day summit for dog breeders, owners, veterinarians and canine enthusiasts. This is a free virtual event with feature presentations, panel discussions and interactive Q&A sessions presented by leading experts across the canine health industry. Hear the latest news about canine research from leading scientists, gain insights from champion breeders about how they incorporate health and temperament into their breeding decisions, and more. Find the summit’s full schedule here to determine which panels best fit with your schedule. Registration can be found at the bottom of the schedule page.

Tampa and Justice in winter coats taken by Dogster Executive Editor Melissa Kauffman — Grab a coat for you and your dogs and get out in the fresh air! © Melissa Kauffman

February 22, 2021: Walking the Dog Day

Yes, doggy it’s cold outside and that is why there is a national day to remind us humans to get out there and engage our dog’s mind and body (along with some nature communing of your own!). Try these tips for turning your dog’s walk into a workout.

February 22, 2021: World Spay Day

Celebrated on the fourth Tuesday in February. For more information, go to the Doris Day Animal Foundation, which initiated Spay Day USA in 1995.

Do not re-use except for promotion of samantha's dog biscuit recipe — Try this perfect dog biscuit recipe, created by Samantha Meyers. © Samantha Meyers

February 23, 2021: National Dog Biscuit Day

Also known as Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day, which really is every day for most dogs — if you know what I mean. According to the Pet Food Institute, English businessman James Spratt created the dog biscuit sometime after creating the first commercially prepared pet food around 1860. Celebrate this holiday with a Valentine’s day flair by making these Dipped Biscuits Valentine’s Day Treats.

February 26, 2021: Premiere of Tom and Jerry: The Movie

One of the most beloved rivalries in history continues in this live-action hybrid movie from Warner Bros. Animation Group. When Jerry moves into New York City’s finest hotel on the eve of “the wedding of the century,” the event’s planner is desperate to get rid of him, so Tom gets the job! But the ensuing cat and mouse battle threatens to destroy her career, the wedding and maybe even the hotel itself. All while a diabolically ambitious staffer conspires against all three of them, forcing the cat-and-mouse duo to do the unthinkable: work together to save the day. The movie isn’t just for cat (and mouse) lovers — Spike the Bulldog makes an appearance, too! Directed by Tim Story, the movie stars Chloe Grace Moretz, Michael Pena, Rob Delaney, Colin Jost and Ken Jeong, and is slated for release on Feb. 26, 2021 on HBO Max and in theaters.