National Dog Day: ‘Howliday’ celebrates canines & honors man’s best friend

When it comes to holidays, Aug. 26 is going to the dogs – literally! A very special “howliday” observed during the dog days of summer is here and folks around the nation are ready to celebrate. It’s National Dog Day (NDD), an annual holiday that celebrates and honors man’s best friend - dogs.

Author, celebrity pet lifestyle expert and animal lover, Colleen Paige, launched National Dog Day in 2004 to honor the amazing Search & Rescue dogs at Ground Zero after the September 11 attacks on America. Whether they help police sniff out drugs or bombs, assist emergency responders locate bodies during search and rescue efforts, help special operating forces take down terrorists or are valued members of the family, dogs play such an integral role in people’s lives. It’s hard to imagine what life would be like without these faithful and loyal companions.

National Dog Day encourages folks to consider adopting one of the millions of abandoned, abused, unwanted and neglected dogs currently available in animal shelters across the country. Animal shelters are inundated with pets. Sadly, each year millions of dogs and cats are euthanized through no fault of their own.

NDD also reminds us that dogs come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Unfortunately, some pets get a bad wrap due to their color or breed. Black cats and dogs, pit bulls and senior pets are often overlooked for adoption. Please do not pass up an animal in need due to misinformation or superstition based on the color of their fur, their age or what they look like. In an interview with the founder, Paige told me,

"I'm so excited that with every year it's growing in popularity, saving oodles of dogs and trending worldwide!"

Today is the perfect day to open your home and your heart to a four-legged furry friend searching for a "furever' home. Please encourage your friends, co-workers and loved ones to adopt an animal from a local shelter or Humane Society - before it’s too late. If you are unable to adopt today, please consider fostering an animal, purchasing much needed supplies or donating cash or your time to an animal shelter. And remember – adopt, don’t shop.

Aug. 26 is also Women's Equality Day.