Let’s celebrate International Dog Day!

Dogs are special. As dog lovers, we all know this and we also know that our canine companions are invaluable bundles of love that are totally irreplaceable. So, it’s hardly surprising we have a day especially set aside to celebrate them! International dog day is August 26th and was originally created to draw attention to dogs who needed homes and to encourage adoption.

Are you ready to honour your faithful furry best friend? They deserve it for all the endless fun, showers of affection, and slobbery kisses (!) they give so freely. Our dogs lift us up when we’re down, give us a purpose and the most unconditional love you could ever hope to get. Let’s get excited about them and give them, and dogs everywhere, a day to remember! Here’s how.

Spoil them

If you already have a dog, it’s a perfect excuse to give them the best day ever. Take them to their favourite spot, pack a tasty doggie picnic and enjoy nature. Because International Dog Day falls in August, we still have the benefits of warmer, longer days. Alternatively, if they are not up for long walks, give them a bit of a pamper at home or at a local doggie grooming salon. Who doesn’t love a bit of a spa day?

Give their health a MOT

This might sound a bit dull for a celebration but we often get very distracted and busy with our day to day chores and forget to do a bit of a pet health check. This doesn’t just mean taking them to the vet’s - you can give them the once over, give their nails a clip, check their deworming and vaccine status, and have a look at their teeth. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to review the food they’re eating, their exercise regime, any behavioural needs or just do a bit of research and see what’s new in the canine world and if it’s something you can bring into their lives to enrich them. Not dull at all! Health is everything. 

Give your time to dogs in need

What better way to cherish our doggies than to give some time to a local shelter? Find out how you put your energy into meeting the needs of homeless or abandoned pups in your area. Perhaps your skills can come in really handy for fundraising or creating awareness in the community, or you might be able to give really hands-on help around the centre. The payback will be immense when you get to meet all those beautiful souls.

Adopt or rescue

While we would discourage any snap decisions about getting a new dog as a pet, International Dog Day could be the start of that process. Why not start looking into reputable breeders, rehoming or adoption organisations? It can be such an educational, eye opening process when you scratch beneath the surface and dive into the ins and outs of how to become a good dog owner.

Start a new hobby together

Dogs can be the best companions in all areas of life and International Dog Day could be the nudge to get a new shared hobby. Dogs tend to respond really well to activities that make you feel good such as yoga or meditation - if you’re calm, they’re calm! Some owners even take their dogs kayaking or to SUP (make sure to get them a lifejacket!). Generally speaking, if you’re happy and having fun, they’re right there with you and that’s a win win.

Make a donation

Too busy to squeeze in some dog activities this week? Or maybe you’re not a dog owner for a variety of reasons but love them all the same. There are tonnes of fantastic charities in the UK that would be over the moon with a small donation or a pledge to sponsor. Plenty of them have gift shops now with quirky, cute products that directly benefit pups in need. Some retail therapy can be a perfect fun way to show your respect.

Get playful

Get silly! Buy a new toy, or heck, make a new toy! Dogs love a bit of silliness don’t they? Spread the joy and gift them something that’ll give hours of fun. Interactive toys are all the rage and there are a bunch of video tutorials out there for DIY toys - get your creative hat on and play the day away.

Whatever you do on International Dog Day, just use it as the perfect reason to stop for a moment and appreciate our loyal friends. They’ve been standing beside humans for hundreds of thousands of years and we owe it to them to celebrate their presence. So above all, just look down at that little face, capable of so much love, and acknowledge their friendship.