National Dog Day is on August 26, so get ready to celebrate dogs of all breeds, shapes and sizes, and in fact, why not celebrate all our furry friends in the best ways possible? Whether you like big dogs or small dogs, every pup should be celebrated on National Dog Day.
Can you believe that our furry best friends have been with us for at least 14,000 years? Thank goodness for that because what would we do without them? It is time to pull out all the cake and pictures of your pup and share your love for them with the world!
This holiday was created in 2004 by Colleen Paige, a Pet & Family Lifestyle Expert and Animal Advocate. She created this day so that all dogs can be celebrated and also to draw attention to the number of dogs in shelters and to encourage adoption to those who have yet to find a place to call home. August 26 is significant to Colleen because it is the day her family adopted her Sheltie when she was 10 years old.
Since the first celebration in 2004, International Dog Day has grown and is now celebrated across the world. In 2013 the holiday was written into New York legislation and can be seen on the New York State Senate’s website.
To spread the word further, those that oversee the holiday have joined forces with many rescue partners, including The Humane Society of The United States (HSUS). The partners all draw attention to the number of dogs that are without a home and try to actively encourage people searching for a dog to visit an adoption shelter instead of a pet store.
Since the first day back in 2004, it is estimated that approximately one million dogs have been saved through adoption in the U.S. For dog owners that aren’t looking to add to their family, International Dog Day has become a day for treating their friend like the legend they are and enjoying the connection that we’ve built up with dogs over thousands of years.
Colleen Paige, the founder of the holiday, also uses the day to draw attention to the multiple ways in which dogs contribute towards our society. From putting their lives on the line to help law enforcement track down bombs or drug dealers to providing assistance for those who need it, dogs play an important role. Today, dogs can even identify cancer in patients.
National Dog Day has also been using its platform to encourage dog ownership of all breeds, mixed and pure, and continuously pushes for all dogs to be allowed to live happy and abuse-free lives.
National Dog Day is on an upward trajectory and continues to grow in popularity. It is widely covered in the media each year and rescue homes are the all-important exposure they need to get their message across. Whether you choose to celebrate by volunteering at a rescue home, making a donation to a shelter, or by giving your furry friend an extra big cuddle, make sure you spend this day acknowledging just how awesome dogs are.
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Photo Credit: Crystal Alba / Shutterstock.com