In Praise of Pets

April 11 marks National Pet Day and if there was ever a time to shower a little extra love and appreciation upon our four-legged fur babies, it’s now. With so many of us working from home during these monumental weeks, we’re reminded of just how important a role they play in our daily lives. With every wag, wiggle, and nuzzle, our pets show us that our shared love for one another can’t be quarantined. They’ve always been there for us, and we’ll always be there for them. And with that in mind, we’re pleased to pay homage to pets across this world in the best way we know how: with a content round-up, of course.

We Go Way Back

It’s hard to imagine a time before dogs were considered part of our collective ‘ohana, but experts believe the first gray wolves were domesticated tens of thousands of years ago, marking a milestone in both human and canine evolution. For the next few thousand years, our paths continued to intertwine as the cold, steely wolves of the wild evolved into the playful puppers we’ve come to love today. In fact, in ancient Mesopotamia, archeologists discovered a mural depicting a man leisurely walking a collared dog through the town. Remarkably, the painting dates back to 3500 BCE. 

Our feline friends, on the other hand, have held a god-like reverence over some of our most distinguished civilizations. In ancient Egypt, cats were held in such high esteem that the act of killing of one, even if unintentional, could be punishable by death. A testament to their deep connection to felines, Egyptians would often grieve for the loss of the family cat by shaving off their eyebrows. In 900 BCE, Phoenician traders first brought domesticated cats to Europe, kickstarting a love affair that would span thousands of years. 

Say Hello to Lucy Ward, Honolulu’s Original Animal Advocate

Lucy Ward’s influence on Honolulu is truly the stuff of legends. One of seven daughters born to Victoria and C.P. Ward, Lucy is credited with being a leading advocate for the protection of mistreated animals in Honolulu in the early 20th century. From 1913 to 1932, she served the city working for the Humane Society, first as a humane agent—technically an officer of the law—and later as the organization’s executive director. Armed with a pistol, a bullwhip, and a badge (true story) Lucy was renowned for her passion and her unwavering commitment to protecting mistreated animals. In fact, the Ward ‘ohana’s devotion ran so deep that the first Hawaiian Humane Society was built on land donated by Victoria Ward.

When recounting Lucy’s influence on the city in the book Poi Dogs and Popoki, George Engebretson writes, “Lucy made her rounds on horseback—and later in her Model T—rescuing injured cats and dogs and checking dray animals for abuse. She was a familiar sight around town—dressed in her straight-brimmed sailor hat and shirtwaist dresses, sweeping into the police station to bring charges against violators, into the grand jury room to help prosecute them, into the newspaper offices to report on some recent injustice.” 

Furry Friends Welcome at Ward Village

At our core, we’ve always had a soft spot in our hearts for our four-legged friends. That’s why all of our grounds are pet friendly, allowing you—and your pet—the freedom to roam throughout the community. We believe in the power of companionship and know full well the positive impact that pets can have on our lives. Whether you’re shopping at your favorite South Shore Market boutique or are heading out on your daily dog walk, your pet is always welcome here. And on this national pet day, make sure to throw a lil extra love to your special, four-legged pal.