A house is not a home without a pet to call your own

Show your furry, scaly or feathery friends some extra love on April 11 for National Pet Day.

The American Pet Products Association reported 94 million households have pets, with dogs being the most pup-ular choice, existing in 68 million homes nationwide. Cats follow closely at 49 million, while saltwater fish and horses are last at 2 million each. 

The first recorded use of the word "pet" dates back to 1539, initially referring to a hand-raised baby lamb, essentially a "pet lamb" and likely comes from the Scottish Gaelic term "peata."

A tail as old as time: The history of pets

Our first interactions with animals trace back 12,000 years – although they were far from being our pets. Instead, they were a source of food and skins used for clothing and shelter, according to Smithsonian Magazine.

The first known domesticated wild animal is the gray wolf, the ancestor of all modern-day dogs. However, there is some debate over how many thousands of years ago they were first tamed. Our relationship with canines is thought to have started when hunter-gatherers tossed their leftover meat to wolves and their pups, increasing their reliance on humans.

As for our pint-sized felines, the human-cat relationship likely began after the shift from hunter-gathering to farming. The new abundance of grain attracted plenty of mice and cats proved to be the purr-fect solution. Today, the International Cat Association recognizes nearly 60 breeds of domestic felines.

Then, the age-old question: What came first, the chicken or the egg? But a better question might be, the goose or the egg? Smithsonian Magazine reports geese are the first known domesticated bird, started in China at least 7,000 years ago – about 2,000 years before chickens. Additionally, ancient Egyptians show evidence of birdkeeping in hieroglyphs, depicting doves, parrots and ducks in menageries.

By the 17th century, pet ownership gained wider acceptance, though it was predominantly reserved for aristocrats who kept dogs for companionship and hunting. However, the rise of the middle class in the 1800s and the emergence of the nuclear family, a term coined in 1920, increased accessibility. 

Bark to the basics: Make your pet a star

Pure-bred pet shows entered the scene in Newcastle, England in 1859. According to the American Kennel Club, ‘The Sporting Dog Show’ featured only two breeds –  Setters and Pointers. 

Cat shows popped up 12 years later, with the Crystal Palace Cat Show in London. The inaugural event featured more than 160 felines.

But renowned dog and cat trainer Bash Dibra asserts it doesn’t take a pure-bred to become a star. 

Dibra, who owns Fielsdston Pets at 3464 Bailey Ave., has been in the pet training business for more than four decades. His past clients include the pampered pooches of celebrities like Jennifer Lopez’s Chihuahua, Reina; Sarah Jessica Parker’s Border Collie, Sally and Mariah Carey’s Jack Russell Terrier, appropriately named Jack.

He’s not only worked with celebrities, he’s made them, too, including Wesley, the Griffin Terrier playing Rags on the Michael J. Fox hit show, “Spin City.”

“I always treat every person with their dog like a celebrity,” Dibra stated. “Same problems, same dogs.” 

An author of six books, his “StarPet: How to Make Your Pet a Star,” is an insider guide to the dog-eat-dog world of animal entertainment, but it’s also meant to train cats. Dibra explained that training a feline is easy – it just takes a different approach. 

Canines love to follow leaders and need clear direction. Cats, on the other hand, prefer to be invited rather than commanded. The key? Food rewards, praise and consistent positive reinforcement.

“I always believe that every dog is like a diamond in the rough or every cat with love and training, will shine like a star,” Dibra said. 

Dibra played a pivotal role in creating Canine Court, a one-of-a-kind dog park in Van Cortlandt Park. But it’s more than just open space. Outfitted with agility equipment, it’s designed to transform everyday pets into well-trained companions.

Paws, Play, Repeat 

Well Rounded Hound based in Riverdale is a real treat if your pooch prefers nature's playground instead. 

With a team of about 10 walkers, the outdoor doggy daycare offers more than just a stroll in the park. 

Three mini school buses set out every weekday, fetching about 50 pups with a lively mix of wagging tails and barks of excitement. Some dogs have self-appointed assigned seats, like Dov, a German Shepherd who always takes his spot in the front row. 

The Press spent a day rolling around with walkers Michael Williams, Ellen Ko and Jackie Gomes. Their bus is reserved for high-energy dogs, while the others shuttle smaller or senior dogs – all grouped by temperament. 

“We know all their personalities,” Gomes expressed. “We know every dog like we know our best friends. We probably know some of them better than the owners.”

Last Thursday was especially packed. With Gomes at the wheel, rounds were made in Riverdale and Kingsbridge, fetching about 20 dogs. 

The trails in Van Cortlandt Park served as the destination for the day’s one-and-a-half-hour walks, but Tibbet Brook Park is also a common stomping ground for the packs. Some days they take field trips to Larchmont Dog Beach and Rockefeller State Park Preserve.

Animal enthusiast Ron Atzmon co-founded the company with his wife and is building a dedicated addition to their home exclusively for dogs. The space will include a washer, dryer and even a dishwasher, all reserved for their four-legged guests.

“We only take our existing clients, so we know they all get along,” he noted. “We treat them like our own. They're never in cages. They're never just left outside to bark.”

At Well Rounded Hound, every day is National Pet Day.

From ancient canines to modern-day companions, the bond between humans and animals has stood the test of time. Whether they’re stars of the screen, agility champions or your best friend, the unconditional love they offer is something to celebrate.