Holiday Traditions Around the World
For many of us, the holidays would not be complete without our pets by our sides. Although the holiday tradition differs from country to country, one common aspect is the fact that everyone is eager to celebrate their pets during such occasions.
In Nepal, there’s a beautiful festival called Kukur Tihar. This is part of a bigger festival called Tihar. For one whole day, the celebration is only for dogs. On that day, all dogs – whether they belong to someone or are strays – are treated as royalty. They are given flowers around their necks, special food to eat, and a red mark called a tika on their foreheads. This festival is a way of thanking dogs for their loyalty and protection. What’s special about this festival is that no dog is left behind. This shows that when it comes to animal kindness, it doesn’t matter whether the animal belongs to someone or not.
In Spain and other areas of South America, there’s the Blessing of the Animals. The event is normally done around January 17th, which is St. Anthony’s Day. Communities come together to bring their animals to the local churches for the animals to be blessed for good health and good fortune throughout the coming new year. You can imagine the leashed dogs, the cat carriers, and even the bird or farm animals. The event is fun and shows just how much animals are a big part of the family. A similar event happens further south, more specifically it takes place in Bolivia and Peru. It’s called the Feast of St. Roch. The event takes place on the 16th of August. St. Roch is the patron saint of dogs, for this celebration dogs get all dressed up in colorful, fun ribbons, and the animals are taken to a communal event or the church. The event revolves around saying thanks to the animals, or in this case the dogs, for the company and the happiness the animals bring, especially in times of need. It’s fun and sincere, and it’s clear to see the pride that’s felt for the animals.
In Japan, cats are honored with a more modern celebration, known as Japanese Cat Day or ‘Neko no Hi,’ commemorated every February 22nd. This day was picked because the dates resemble the pronunciation of ‘nyan,’ which means ‘cat’ in Japanese. This particular day marks the time when humans give special treats to cats. Social media pages are filled with pictures and messages about how the mere presence of cats can make human life better.
These customs make it absolutely clear that no matter where in the world you happen to be, the relationship shared by humans and their beloved pets is something to be celebrated. For families who travel or relocate with pets, these traditions are also a reminder of how important it is to treat animals with care and respect every step of the way. Whether it’s a holiday visit or a big move, making sure pets are safe, comfortable, and stress-free matters just as much as getting from one place to another.
