FEBRUARY 20 marks national Love Your Pet Day with owners encouraged to show extra love and affection for their forever friends.
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This day is set aside to raise awareness with pet owners about the importance of showing pets love and affection.
According to a survey conducted by Animal Medicines Australia, more than 62 percent of Australian households own a pet.
Of these, 38 percent are dog owners and 29 percent are cat owners. In addition to this, 59 percent of people who do not currently own a pet admit that they would like to own one in the near future.
Jaimee-Lee Wilesmith and Thomas Sheather from Port Macquarie love their two Staffordshire Bull Terrier dogs, showering them in cuddles and kisses, enjoying walks on the beach every day and sharing plenty of fun.
“They talk, and in the mornings she’ll talk and wake us up. She’s so sweet, and so relaxed,” Jaimee-Lee said of her three-year-old pup, Misty.
Misty is the mother of Armani. And apparently she is quite the sook.
“We go to the dog beach every day and they’re both so submissive. Misty runs away from other dogs, she’s just so sweet,” she said.
“They’re beautiful companions. She’s my best friend. She can tell when I’m sad. In fact they both pick up my moods.
“I had a horse growing up, and a dog, so I’ve always loved animals.”
Jamie-Lee said there is an unfortunate stigma with breeds like the staffy.
“They don’t fight, they don’t bite. They were raised and trained well,” she said.
“They will always walk right beside me waiting for a command. They don’t leave my side.”