National Watermelon Day & National Disc Golf Day
Today is a special two-in-one holiday! Head to the park with a watermelon and a Frisbee, because today is National Watermelon and National Disc Golf Day! What do these two holidays have in common? You can celebrate both on a hot, summer day at the park with your dog!
National Watermelon Day
You only need three things to grow a ripe, juicy watermelon: the sun, bees, and water. Watermelon is a vine-like flowering plant that originally came from southern Africa, and is made up of 92% water. The fruit of the vine-like plant is known as a pepo, a berry that has a thick rind and fleshy center. The watermelon fruit is loosely considered a type of melon and has a smooth rind that is typically green with dark green stripes, with a dark red to pink color inside.
The fruit was most likely originally grown and harvested in the desert due to a large amount of water that it holds. The melon was either bitter or tasteless and has since been bred and cultivated to have a sweet taste that we enjoy today. Seeds and art found in tombs of Pharaohs reveal that the watermelon was regarded with great value. Visit watermelon.org for more information and fun things to do with watermelons!
Unique Watermelon Recipes
- Watermelon Mojito
- Watermelon Six Layer Trifle
- Watermelon Dippers Sundae
- Watermelon Mediterranean Salad
- Watermelon Poke Bowl
Your Dog Can Eat Watermelon, Too!
Luckily, dogs can celebrate this holiday with you! The fruit is low in calories and packed with nutrients, including vitamins A, B6, C, and potassium. As a caution, make sure that you remove the seeds, as they can cause an intestinal blockage. Only let your pup eat the red fruit inside, and throw away the rind to avoid giving your dog a tummy ache.
For a list of more fruits and vegetables that your dog can and can’t eat, check out American Kennel Club.
National Disc Golf Day
The Professional Disc Golf Association founded National Disc Golf Day to recognize one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. Disc golf is played just like traditional golf, but disc golf requires a disc or Frisbee instead of a ball and clubs. One throw (stroke) is counted each time the disc is thrown. The goal of the game is to make the disc into the target with as few throws as possible. The player with the fewest number of total strokes at the end of the course wins the game. Visit Disc Golf’s Founding Company for a complete list of the rules.
Disc golf has been played since the late 1960s and became recognized as a sport in the 1970s. The game started out with tree trunks or wooden posts as targets. As time went on and the game was played more and more, the trees and posts were replaced with metal baskets with chains. The chains were designed to help catch the discs, and were originally called “Disc Golf Pole Holes”.
Speaking of Frisbee’s, does your dog like to play fetch? Some dogs were just made to jump into the sky! While it is probably not the best idea to bring your dog to a disc golf course, take your dog to the park to play Frisbee! Typically, dogs that are lean and weigh less than 50 pounds are best for playing flying disc games.
First Things First
Before your dog begins playing Frisbee, have your veterinarian perform a regular check-up. It is important for your vet to determine your dog’s physical condition before participating in any physical activity, especially if your dog is a breed that is prone to health issues such as hip dysplasia. Secondly, make sure you buy a disc that is soft and flexible. You can typically find a Frisbee that was made specifically for dogs and resistant to sharp teeth at a pet store or online.
How To Play Frisbee With Your Pup
Introduce a Frisbee to your dog during playtime. Encourage your dog to put the disc in his or her mouth so that your dog recognizes that it is okay to bite down on it. Start by throwing the disc low and slow, and let your dog chase it. Ask your dog to bring it back to you to encourage the “fetch” aspect of playing Frisbee. Once your dog is comfortable with this, you can start to throw the disc higher and farther each time. You can also try giving your dog training treats each time he or she returns the disc to you after catching it.
Safety Is Key
- Always make sure that your dog is hydrated and has access to water while participating in the exercise. If your dog is panting heavily or drooling, it is time to take a break from playing. Have your dog lay down in the shade and give him or her controlled amounts of water. Do not give your dog too much water at once, as this can cause another set of problems!
- Beware of muscle and joint injuries. Playing Frisbee is more than just playing- it is exercise.
- Make sure you are playing Frisbee in a safe area. Do not play in a space where your dog could accidentally run into a road while trying to catch the disc. If possible, pick a fenced-in area with a large amount of room to run around.
How do you plan to celebrate National Watermelon Day and National Disc Golf Day? Let us know!
