Faith informed me that January 21, 2011 is “National Squirrel Appreciation Day.” Remarkably, I’ve never blogged about this. Or I have and I’ve forgotten and it’s in the lost portion of the archives. Either way, I’m posting about it now.
After a bit of googling, I tracked down the origins of this festive day. Apparently, North Carolina Wildlife Rehabilitator Christy Hargrove declared January 21 to be Squirrel Appreciation Day back in 2001. I can’t find any evidence that this has been declared an official holiday anywhere, but you can still celebrate if you want, I won’t stop you.
I might mock you, but I won’t stop you.
Wait – it’s on the Hallmark website so it must be a real holiday.
I have for years practiced Squirrelism. It can be confirmed under “religious beliefs” on Facebook so it has to be true. I celebrate National Squirrel Appreciation Day by wearing my Squirrel T-shirt and placing all of the Squirrel cards I have received over the years up on the mantle, uh, fridge. I have many. One of the unfortunate issues we encounter is the people with Sugar Gliders glom on to our holiday. Sugar Gliders themselves are fine but they aren’t squirrels. They’re not even rodents. So go get your own holiday.