Happy National Dog Day 2020 🐶

August 26th is National Dog Day.

This holiday is also known as Dog Appreciation Day, World Dog Day, and International Dog Day. This holiday originated in 2004 when Colleen Paige, a Pet and Family Lifestyle Expert and Animal Advocate, created a special day to bring attention to dogs and advocate for their adoption.

Dogs are amazing creatures. They protect us (in our homes and in the line of duty as police K-9s). They keep us safe (detect bombs, weapons, and drugs). They work on farms herding animals. There are tracking dogs (for hunting, and for helping find missing persons). Service dogs provide emotional support, are guide dogs (for those with a sight or hearing impairment); and medical alert dogs (detecting the onset of seizures or low blood sugar). They are our loving companions.

They deserve our love and care. And what better way to show our love for our canine friends than to honor them with a special day?

How To Celebrate National Dog Day?

• Take your dog for a walk in the neighborhood
• Give them extra treats
• Make some special treats for your dog
• Don’t forget those belly rubs!

• Pamper them by brushing their fur
• Go to your local dog park

• Give lots and lots of pets and hugs
• Does your dog has a best 4-legged buddy? Schedule a doggy play-date.
• Donate to your local animal shelter or Humane Society
• Donate your time by volunteering at a local shelter
• Share pics of your pup on social media
• Adopt a new furry member of the family

National Dog Day Quotes

We may find it hard to put into words just how much love we have for the dogs in our lives. Many quotes have been written, by people in all walks of life, from authors, actors, comedians/humorists, and presidents. Here is a list of 25 quotes – some serious, some funny, all telling of the thoughts we have for dogs.

• “Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.” ~ Orhan Pamuk

• “Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really.” ~ Agnes Sligh Turnbull

• “Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” ~ Roger Caras

• “Scratch a dog and you’ll find a permanent job.” ~ Franklin P. Jones

• “The dog is a gentleman; I hope to go to his heaven not man’s.” ~ Mark Twain

• “To his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the constant popularity of dogs.” ~ Aldous Huxley

• “Happiness is a warm puppy.” ~ Charles Shultz

• “A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” ~ Josh Billings

• “Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day.” ~ John Grogan

• “Did you know that there are over 300 words for love in canine?” ~ Gabriel Zevin

• “If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.” ~ Will Rogers

• “You can usually tell that a man is good if he has a dog who loves him.” ~ W. Bruce Cameron

• “If you don’t own a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life.” ~ Roger A. Caras

• “If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience.” ~ Woodrow Wilson

• “Dogs are our link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring — it was peace.” ~ Milan Kundera

• “It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them.” ~ John Grogan

• “Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer.” ~ Dean Koontz

• “Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made.” ~ Roger A. Caras

• “They [dogs] never talk about themselves but listen to you while you talk about yourself, and keep up an appearance of being interested in the conversation.” ~ Jerome K. Jerome

• “I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me, they are the role model for being alive.” ~ Gilda Radner

• “I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source.” ~ Doris Day

• “I sometimes look into the face of my dog Stan and see a wistful sadness and existential angst, when all he is actually doing is slowly scanning the ceiling for flies.” ~ Merrill Markoe

• “The capacity for love that makes dogs such rewarding companions has a flip-side: They find it difficult to cope without us. Since we humans programmed this vulnerability, it’s our responsibility to ensure that our dogs do not suffer as a result.” ~ John Bradshaw

• “A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down.” ~ Josh Billings

• “What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight; it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” ~ Dwight D Eisenhower

Including Your Dog In Your Wedding

Planning a wedding? You can include your dog into the festivities. Questions to ask beforehand include:

1. Does your ceremony and reception venues allow pets?
2. Consider your dog’s personality. Is he shy, friendly, good with lots of people?

3. Any of your key people (parents, wedding party) allergic or afraid of dogs?
4. Is there someone you can designate to be your dog’s handler on your wedding day?
5. Will your dog like wearing a special outfit, or will she try to chew on it?

Do you have a special furbaby in your life? Do you plan to do something special for National Dog Day? Tell us in the comments below!

Photo Credits:
German Shepard – Jean Neuhart (Yes, that’s my furbaby, Stark. He’s named after the alter-ego of the best Avenger).
Service Dog – Texas A&M University Libraries via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Belly Rub – julie corsi via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Dogs Playing – Eric Sonstroem via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Dog on Beach – Virginia State Parks via Flickr(CC BY 2.0)
French Bulldog – Pexels Free to use (CC0)
Shy Dog – miguelb via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Dog in a Dress – Brad Montgomery via Flickr (CC BY 2.0) (photo was cropped from the original)

Hearts, Joy, Love!
Jean

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