National Dog Day August 26

Give us another reason to celebrate Man’s Best Friend. Go ahead – we double dog dare ya!

We’re pretty fond of our furry family members at PlaqueMaker, so we’re getting ready for National Dog Day*, celebrated annually on August 26 to honor all the dogs putting their lives on the line every day – for their law enforcement human, for their blind companion, for the child who is disabled, for their partner in the military -for all the ways they save lives, keep us safe and bring us comfort. This special event also brings attention to the astounding number of dogs in need of rescue each year, and what we can do to help.

I founded National Dog Day in 2004 to honor dogs, to give them ‘a day,’ to show our deep appreciation for the historical connection of companionship with one another – for their endearing patience, unquestioning loyalty, for their work protecting our streets, homes and families as Police K-9’s, Military Working Dogs, Guide Dogs and Therapy Dogs.”

– Colleen Paige, celebrity pet & family lifestyle expert,

animal behaviorist, author & founder of National Dog Day

Colleen shares that her own dog, Sailor, was staved and tortured before she adopted her from a shelter at seven months old. “She taught me what unconditional love and trust really meant,” Colleen says. “I want the world to celebrate dogs for their capacity to love and their ability to impact our lives every day in the most miraculous ways.”

20 Ways to Celebrate

Colleen’s organization suggests a variety of ways to give each dog his day, and we’ve added a few ourselves:

1. Please consider adopting a dog from your local shelter. Even dog lovers who are not dog owners are encouraged to donate to their local shelter or rescue on National Dog Day.

2. Volunteer at your local shelter and offer to walk a dog or play with a dog, clean cages or anything else they need help with.

3. Have a safety check of your home to make sure it’s safe for your dog and others.

4. Personalize an adorable bone-shaped pet tag for your dog.

5. Donate blankets, food and toys to animal welfare organizations.

6. Write your Congressman and ask that they support the ban of puppy mills.

7. Have a National Dog Day party and invite all your friends and their dogs.

8. Spend the day taking photos of your dog, then frame them in one of PlaqueMaker’s Custom Photo Frames.

9. Assist an ill or elderly neighbor by walking their dog.

10. Have a portrait painted of your dog to “suspend the fleeting magic of dogdom.”

11. Buy your dog a fun new dog toy … or two … or five.

12. Customize a crystal hexagon suncatcher with your dog’s likeness at PlaqueMaker. All suncatchers come with a gold metallic ribbon for hanging and are individually packaged for gift giving or you can add on a suction cup.

13. Give your dog some pampering by visiting a doggy play resort.

14. Brush your dog to eliminate excess fur.

15. Give your dog a massage, holistic spa, or water therapy.

16. Recognize a local animal shelter or rescue organization with a custom laser engraved award plaque from PlaqueMaker.

17. Teach your dog a new trick.

18. Buy your dog a brand new collar and leash.

19. Hire a professional pet photographer for a fun photo shoot.

20. Take you and your dog for a day at the beach.

*Sometimes referred to as World Dog Day, International Dog Day and National Dog Appreciation Day