International Dog Day 2021: History, significance and how to celebrate

A dog is a human’s best friend and today is the day to celebrate them. International Dog Day, observed on August 26 every year, is a day to celebrate the existence of our furry partners and motivate people to adopt dogs, instead of buying them from pet shops and give them the home they deserve. The day also aims to create sensitivity and awareness towards dogs.

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History of International Dog Day

International Dog Day was first observed on August 26, 2004, by Colleen Paige. She is a pet and family lifestyle expert, animal rescue advocate, conservationist, dog trainer, and author.

August 26 was specifically chosen to mark the occasion because it was the date when Paige and her family adopted their first dog, Sheltie from an animal shelter home. Sheltie was 10 at the time.

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Significance

Paige founded the day to highlight the importance of rescuing dogs and providing them with a safe environment to appreciate their unconditional love and loyalty.

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International Dog Day celebrates all the dogs irrespective of their age, breed, background, health condition, or where they come from. The day opposes the concept of buying canines from the stores. The idea behind this is that a dog is not a commodity that you can buy. Also, the adoption of a dog gives it a home and love they need.

How to celebrate the day

The best way to celebrate International Dog Day is to give a home to a stray dog, but if for any reason you are unable to adopt a dog, ensure that the strays in your locality are properly fed and safe. 

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Try making a group to start an initiative of feeding stray dogs and provide them with needed care.

You can also visit an animal shelter and make donations that go into the development of dogs there and just spend time with them, after all, dogs need love more than anything.