Celebrate the Companionship of Canines

National Dog Day (August 26) is the perfect time to pause and appreciate the joy dogs bring, and the comfort and companionship they provide.

Looking for a way to celebrate the day? Best Friends Animal Society rounded up some ideas for how we can celebrate and invest in the dogs in our lives.

August 26, 2021

By: Discovery and Best Friends Animal Society

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Photo By: Erica Danger

Photo By: Sarah Ause Kichas

Photo By: Stacey Axelrod

Photo By: Molly Wald

Adopt a deserving dog from a local shelter or rescue group

There are currently 102,600 dogs available for adoption in the US on petfinder.com.

P.S. If you aren’t ready to adopt, you can certainly help by fostering.

Post Pictures

If you already share your life with a perfect pup, celebrate by proudly posting photos on social media to encourage adoptions and spread awareness.

Their Special Day

Let your dog know it’s his or her special day by offering a new treat or toy and spending some extra quality time with them.

Doggy School

If you have a dog who joined your household during the pandemic, enroll them in an obedience class, to help the two of you better communicate and understand each other’s expectations. Work regularly with dogs on training and socialization so they can be a well-behaved member of the family, and react appropriately when meeting people in the outside world.

Take the time to prepare

Prepare your dog for changes in your schedule to prevent separation anxiety, if you’ll be home less due to work or school.

Not quite ready for a pup of your own?

If you’re not ready to foster or adopt, you can still celebrate National Dog Day by volunteering or donating to a local shelter or rescue group, to support their lifesaving efforts.

Dog ownership increased by nearly 11% in 2020.

Our dogs have been there for us and provided companionship and comfort through an extremely difficult year and a half, and this is a great opportunity to celebrate them and honor the commitment we made to them through adoption.