Let’s face it – when you are a dog lover, every day is a good day to celebrate your canine companion. But each year on August 26th, we are given an opportunity to put our best furry friends in the spotlight, and recognize the amazing roles they play in our lives.
National Dog Day is coming up soon, and we wanted to make sure you didn’t miss the opportunity to celebrate our favorite pets.
National Dog Day has been observed annually since 2004, when animal advocate Colleen Paige instituted the holiday. (Ms. Paige, an avid defender of animal rights, is also the originator of National Puppy Day, National Mutt Day and National Cat Day.)
August 26th was originally chosen as it is a significant day for the founder. That date marks the anniversary of Colleen adopting her first shelter dog when she was only 10 years old. National Dog Day’s primary mission is to spread the word about all the dogs across America which are in need of rescue, whether mixed breed or pure. The day also acknowledges the important role which dogs play in our society and our everyday lives. They provide protection for our family and work besides law enforcement to protect the community. They save lives and put themselves in harms way by detecting bombs and pulling people from danger; and they rescue lonely humans with their unconditional love for the disabled and elderly. Dogs are even being put to use in the medical field, as we learn more about their uncanny ability to detect cancer and sense seizures before they occur.
The advocacy of National Dog Day also includes bringing awareness to the injustice of “breed bans”. Dogs should never be euthanized because they were mistreated by human beings.
National Dog Day Awareness – Buying a Pure Breed
The humans behind National Dog Day discourage prospective dog owners from purchasing their pets from puppy mills, backyard breeders, the internet or newspaper ads. With so many dogs languishing in shelters, it is their fervent hope that people would consider choosing adoption first. Many pet stores hold adoption events in partnership with local rescues and shelters. There are great events to find a new best friend.
If you would like to bring a pure breed (as opposed to a mixed breed) into your family, we suggest looking into a pure breed rescue in your area. If you do choose to purchase your pet from a breeder, verify their licensing first. You can also read up on internet reviews and ask for a reference from their veterinarian. These are ways to make sure they are reputable and treat their dogs well.
“Millions of dogs are killed each year because they’re simply unwanted”, says Colleen. “They’re unwanted because no one realized how to properly care for the demands of the breed. They’re unwanted because they were bought as a Christmas gift for a child that didn’t keep their promises about caring for the dog…unwanted because they shed too much…unwanted because they bark too much. UNWANTED…simply because someone changed their mind.”
National Dog Day recognizes the unconditional love of dogs, and seeks to bring the plight of rescue dogs to the forefront. For dogs adopted on August 26th – or any other day – National Dog Day feels a bit like a family reunion and a birthday celebration all in one. On this day, there are network news stories, national TV show segments, online videos being shared, shelter events and K9 parties planned around the world.
At Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training, we join with all Sarasota and Bradenton dog owners to celebrate our beloved dogs, on National Dog Day and all year round. We are committed to the health and happiness of your dog. LEt us know how we can help!
