All - Leep Calendar

There is a difference between a commercial breeder, which follows humane laws and treats animals respectfully in a clean and healthy environment, and puppy mills. Puppy mills are unregulated and warehouse animals for profit over well-being. Puppy Mills are a global problem. Female dogs are often forced to reproduce repeatedly, then discarded when they can no longer bear children. Their litters are either offered for sale as pets to pet stores and purebred enthusiasts, or in some Asian cultures, including South Korea, as meat for the dinner table during Bok Nal or "dog eating days" in a soup called bosintang. Over 2.5 million dogs are slaughtered annually in South Korea for this dish. Cats are also eaten and farmed in several Asian countries. Mill animals exist in inhumane conditions that are overcrowded, dirty, and in the case of South Korea, often tortured because of a belief that fear "makes the meat taste better." A recent rescue in South Korea included "nearly 200 chihuahuas, corgis, huskies, jindos, Yorkshire terriers, poodles, Pomeranians, shih tzus, and French bulldogs from a squalid breeding facility in Hongseong that housed pups under heat lamps in disused tires." Read the full press release: https://www.hsi.org/news-media/dog-meat-farm-rescue-021419. Though they aren't raising dogs for eating, puppy mills in the west are just as horrific. Missouri, followed by Ohio, are the top two states for puppy mills. Puppy mill dogs are often stacked in wire cages, with several animals in a cage, without access to exercise and often in filthy conditions. National Puppy Mill Action Week seeks to end this practice and ensure that all dogs born and bred receive the care and protection they deserve.

Africa

May

Purebred Dog Day, Ntl.: May 1

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Purebred dogs have achieved their pedigree through decades and centuries of breeding. Each breed has a purpose and distinct trademarks of action and form. Today is a day to celebrate these amazing animals. The American Kennel Club is the sole purebred dog registry in the United States. It conducts thousands of inspections yearly to ensure compliance with standards that support the health, safety, and welfare of dogs and the environments in which they live. National Purebred Dog Day was created in 2013 by writer Susi Szeremy.

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May

Radio Day, Public (1971): May 3

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Public Radio Day in the United States has been celebrated annually since 1971. It marks the anniversary of the creation of National Public Radio in the United States. Government grants and donations from individuals and corporations support public radio. The very first use of the radio to make a public broadcast occurred on January 13, 1910, in New York City.

Africa

May

Raspberry Popover Day, Ntl.: May 3

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National Raspberry Popover, or Raspberry Tart Day celebrates the breakfast or afternoon treat. Popovers earned their name because they tend to pop over the edge of the pan as they bake. Eat and enjoy!

Africa

May

REACT Month: May

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Radio Emergency Associated Communication Teams (REACT) Month highlights the public service volunteers who monitor two-way emergency radio communications from motorists, boaters, hikers, and others in distress. They also provide additional security at public events and venues and are one of the first lines of defense during natural disasters and emergencies. REACT Month teaches the public about the service and also aids in the recruiting of new volunteers.

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May

Forest Day, Waldchestag (DE): May 26

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The Tuesday after the Christian observation of Pentecost (seven weeks after Easter celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the remaining Apostles) is observed in Frankfurt, Germany, as Forest Day or Waldchestag. This centuries-old tradition is celebrated with picnics, day hikes, and sojourns to the city's forests. In recent decades it has also become a highly anticipated festival in Frankfurt with artisans, food, music, and entertainment.

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May

Foster Care Month, Ntl.: May

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The purpose of National Foster Care Month is to take an active role in activities across the country that recognize not only these cherished children and youth but also the commitment of so many that touch their lives at a most challenging time. Young people in foster care are in the system through no fault of their own. Some are escaping abuse, while others have become orphans. Strong support structures provide children the environment to learn, grow, and reach their potential. Stability is critical to the future success of foster youth and must be a key component of foster care initiatives.

Africa

May

Foul Ball Week, Ntl.(1921): May 16-21

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On May 16, 1921, Reuben Berman caught a foul ball during a Reds and Giants baseball game. At the time, the custom was to return the ball to the teams. Berman didn't want to, so when security came to get it. He tossed it into the crowd as they escorted him out of the ballpark. He then turned around and sued the Giants, whose stadium it was, for pain and suffering, because he couldn't keep the ball. He was awarded US$100 by the courts, far more than the cost of a baseball, teaching the team owners a lesson. Eventually, every club would allow fans to keep any balls that landed in the stands. To mark that sportsman's victory, we celebrate National Foul Ball Week. This event first ran in 2017.

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May

French Open (FR): May 24 - June 7

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The French Open, or Roland Garros, is one of the most venerated tennis tournaments in the world. As one of the Big Four tennis tournaments referred to as the Grand Slam, it is a match of champions. A distinctive peculiarity about Roland Garros is that it is one of the few tennis tournaments played on clay courts, a slower field than grass courts. The men's tennis player with the most wins at Roland Garros post-1925 is Spaniard Rafael Nadal (twelve); for women, it is the legendary American Chris Evert (seven in total).

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May

Frog Jumping Day (1865): May 13

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Today is the anniversary of Mark Twain's "Jim Smiley and his Jumping Frog" release in 1865 at age 29. Jim Smiley and his Jumping Frog was Mark Twain's first book to draw a broad audience, marking the beginning of one of the most celebrated writing careers in American history and the birth of the Calaveras County jumping frog contest. This popular tourist attraction remains alive to this day. The story of Smiley and his frog is about gambling and having the wool pulled over your eyes, teaching a valuable life lesson everyone can benefit from.

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May

Galveston Historic Home Tour (US-TX): May 2-10

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The Galveston Historical Foundation opens the doors to Galveston’s architectural history through public tours of privately owned homes during its annual weekend-centered Galveston Historic Homes Tour—large, small, and everything in between. Take a walk through history, the Texas way.

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May

Ganga Dussehra (H): May 25

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Ganga Dussehra is a day of devotion and faith celebrated in the month of Jyeshtha in the Hindu calendar. When the evening of Ganga Dussehra descends, devotees begin offering leaf boats with candles, sweets, and flowers to the river. The pilgrims seem mesmerized by the shlokas, bhajans, kirtans, and bells. It is an enchanting spectacle for people seeing this ritual for the first time. PLEASE NOTE: We use the Indian civil calendar, the official holiday calendar in India. The Hindu faith has many calendars, each specific to different regions and tribes, with dates and celebrations marked by differing positions of the sun, moon, and stars. Names of months and holidays and the corresponding dates in the Gregorian calendar may vary widely from one calendar to the next. Determine the proper calendar before attending local events.

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May

Garden Meditation Day: May 3

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Need an excuse to spend the day in the garden? Welcome to Garden Meditation Day. Today is your day to get out and lose yourself in your favorite hobby. Breathe in the air, focus on the flowers, and be one with nature. Annually on the third of May.

Africa

May

Garden Month, Gifts from the: May

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Our gardens give us so much, from the joy of seeing the fruits of labor to fresh vegetables, pulses, flowers, herbs, and berries. Celebrate the Gifts from Your Garden Month each May.

Africa

May

Gardening for Wildlife Month: May

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The National Wildlife Federation's Annual Garden for Wildlife Month offers home gardeners, wildlife enthusiasts, and conservationists a chance to join with millions of their peers nationwide and help support species in their backyards. "From butterflies to birds and everything in between, species are facing unprecedented threats to their survival. Garden for Wildlife Month offers Americans a critical way they can support wildlife in their locality," said Mary Phillips, senior director of the Garden for Wildlife program. "We at the National Wildlife Federation are inspired by the millions who are making simple changes to their outdoor spaces — from whole landscaped areas to a few planters — to support pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. You can make a difference when you plant with purpose." An estimated seven million people participate in Garden for Wildlife annually, making it the nation's largest effort dedicated to helping wildlife locally. In the United States alone, a million acres a year disappear due to expanding urban and suburban development.

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