Today is August 26th which should be a very special day in any dog lovers calendar - and why is that? Because today is National Dog Day! National Dog Day is an annual opportunity for dog owners to show some extra appreciation to the puppies in their lives. So if you love any excuse to give your beloved dog a little extra love and attention here are some ideas of how to pamper that special puppy on National Dog Day :
- How about an extra long walk, maybe somewhere new? Every puppy loves new sights and smells!
- A special uninterrupted one on one cuddle session
- Arrange to meet up with other dog buddies for a play date in the park
- A special doggy treat or new toy
- An extra play session of whatever game your dog loves the most - mine could play fetch for hours!
Of course, the purpose of National Dog Day is not only to celebrate our dogs but to help raise awareness of the number of dogs desperately in need of new homes. Across the US there are thousands of dogs in shelters through no fault of their own who need and really deserve a second chance. If you have been considering adding a puppy to your family why not take some time to consider adoption and maybe visit your local shelter, or check out some of the dogs needing rehoming here? Older rescue dogs are often a lot less work than a puppy, especially if they are toilet trained!
If you do not have the resources to adopt then perhaps consider these ways to help out a local shelter :
- Volunteer your time. Shelters are very stressful places for dogs and they often begin to lose their socialization skills very rapidly when constantly locked in kennels. However, the more human interaction they get, the better there chances of remaining easily adoptable. Offer to take dogs for a walk, out to play, or just some cuddle time.
- Donate old blankets, soft toys, food or maybe just $5
Owning a dog is certainly a great pleasure but it is also a great responsibility, so keeping that in mind we have a few practical things you cn do to keep your dog safe, healthy and happy
- Get your dog microchipped and check that the microchip records are up to date with your correct current address and phone number. The number of stray dogs who are put to sleep because they ended up lost and without a collar is just horrifying - make sure that your dog can be quickly and easily traced back to you and you might just save their life one day.
- Teach your puppy some obedience skills. An untrained and unsocial dog adds stress instead of pleasure - but a few obedience classes and some socialization training can make a world of difference!
- Keep you dog healthy by ensuring that their shots are up to date and that your puppy is regularly protected against worms, fleas, ticks etc.
- Take the time to do any puppy proofing that you have been putting off and stave off potential accidents and injuries.
- Invest in a dog seat belt to keep puppy safe on car trips
We wish all dog lovers and their dogs a very happy National Dog Day, and we'd love to hear what you have planned for the special puppy in your life!
The Puppies Seeking Homes Team
