MDBCs 08 Sep 2024

September 8 is Pardon Day, a day to seek and give forgiveness. On Pardon Day put aside all your grudges, be kind to everyone and forgive those who may have hurt you.

It is thought that the day owes its existence to the pardon granted by United States President Gerald Ford to former President Nixon for his involvement in the Watergate Scandal on September 8, 1974.

Giving Pardon

While the word pardon can be commonly used as a synonym of forgiveness, the word has a very specific legal implication. It is used to refer to an official or legal act that releases an individual or a group from the punishment for a crime. In its legal form a pardon is usually given by the head of a government, state or a religious authority. In many countries the rules of a pardon are coded in law or in the constitution.

Forgive and Be Happy

Forgiveness is the deliberate act of giving up on feelings of resentment or vengeance towards a person, group, or institution that may have wronged you. Most religions and cultures hold forgiveness as one of the key elements of living a good, honest and pure life. Scientific studies have shown that practicing forgiveness can improve the physical and mental health of the forgiver. People who forgive those who have hurt them tend to live happier and healthier lives.

This unofficial holiday is also known as International Pardon Day or National Pardon Day in the U.S.

How to Celebrate?

There is nothing wrong in saying sorry, so if you have someone you think you have hurt, tell them that you are sorry. Write a nice note or meet them for coffee.
If someone comes to you to apologize for something they have done, be gracious and forgive them.

Did You Know...

...that the word pardon comes from the Latin perdonare meaning to grant freely?

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Hug Your Hound Day

On September 14, give your four-legged best friend a big hug because it is Hug Your Hound Day.

Created by canine behaviorist Ami Moore, the holiday encourages dog parents and owners to focus on their dogs' health, safety and happiness. The unofficial holiday celebrates the special bond between dogs and their owners.

The day also aims at creating more a more dog friendly environment in urban areas.

The holiday is also known as National Hug Your Hound Day in the United States. Another holiday for man's best friend is Dog Appreciation Day.

How to Celebrate?

Take your hound for a long walk or to the dog park to say hello to their friends.
Treat them to their favorite treats.
And of course, give them a big hug!
If you have been thinking of bringing a dog in your life, take this day to visit your local shelter to see if you can adopt a dog.
Don't have the time or space to adopt a dog? What about volunteering your time and money to your local dog shelter. Spend the day bringing joy in the lives of dogs who are waiting to be adopted.
If you are a business owner, take steps to make your business more dog friendly.
Don't have a dog, but love cats? Don't worry, you have a holiday that you can celebrate with your feline friends: Hug Your Cat Day!

Did You Know…

…that pigs and dogs were the earliest domesticated animals in human history?

***

An airline introduced a half-price fare for women accompanying their husbands on business trips. Expecting valuable testimonials, the airline wrote to all of the wives who’d used the special rate, asking them if they enjoyed their trip.

Letters are still pouring in asking, “What trip?”

***

A man sat on a train, chewing gum and staring vacantly across the aisle. Eventually, an old woman sitting opposite him leaned across the gap separating them.

“It’s no good you speaking to me, young man,” she bellowed. “I went deaf years ago!”

***

When the coffeemaker went on the fritz, I joked that maybe it was the fault of the cockroaches. Our office manager was not amused.
“We don’t have cockroaches,” she said, putting me straight.

“What about all the roach traps?” I asked, pointing to one.

“A lot you know – those aren’t roach traps,” she sniffed. “They’re mousetraps.”

***

We took our two teenage sons to a restaurant that was packed with fans watching a sporting event on TV. The harassed waitress took our order, but 30 minutes later there was no sign of our food. I was trying to keep my boys occupied when suddenly shouts of victory erupted from the bar.

“You hear that?” said my 13-year-old. “Someone just got their food.”

***

BYOP

My mother was standing on  the bus when she noticed that a  man holding on to the same pole  was staring at her.

Finally, he said, “Excuse me. This is my stop.”

“Well,” she said, “go ahead.”

“This is my pole,” he said.

My mother was confused until he added, “I just bought it at a store to hold up my shower curtain.”