International Dog Day 2023: Celebrating a Man’s Best Friend

No one can win hearts like man’s best friend, and International Dog Day is observed on Aug 26th every year to honour this link between man and canine. Let’s take some time to appreciate the love and value dogs offer to our lives, and do our part to help homeless and abused pets worldwide. Dogs do a lot for us humans, from keeping us safe in emergencies, provide services to assisting individuals who are blind, deaf, or impaired, and this is an opportunity to appreciate their existence. Read to know why and how you can celebrate International Dog Day. 

Must Read: National Pet Day 2023: Celebrate Your Pet Everyday!

History of International Dog Day

You might be thinking who started this fantastic day, and the answer is Colleen Paige. Collen is a Pet & Family Lifestyle Expert, an Animal Advocate, Conservationist Dog Trainer, and Author. Sheltie, her first family dog, was adopted on August 26, 2004, when Colleen was just 10 years old. The day has been adopted worldwide and is even inscribed into New York law, demonstrating its significance.

He is also the creator of several other holidays, such as National Puppy Day, National Mutt Day, and National Cat Day, which aim to raise awareness about the importance of animals around the world and encourage adoption.

Timeline of Events

First dogs may have been domesticated (25000 BC)

Although no one knows for certain, several scientists believe that canine domestication happened at this time.

The first dog show is held in England (1859)

The first formal dog show is conducted in Newcastle, with a larger one following in 1863.

America’s first pet shelter is formed (1869)

The Women’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) opens an animal shelter.

Snoopy is brought to life (1950)

Snoopy, Charlie Brown’s dog, is one of Charles Shulz’s original characters, appearing on October 4, 1950, just two days after the comic strip’s debut.

First National Dog Day is celebrated (2004)

Colleen Paige, an animal welfare advocate and pet lifestyle expert, founded the day to celebrate all breeds and combinations of dogs to increase the number of dogs rescued each year.

Must Read: World Lion Day 2023: Theme, Significance, Quotes

Significance of the Day

The holiday is observed by all dogs, whether purebred or mixed breed. The primary goal of the day is to mobilise the public to recognise the various dogs that require rescue each year.

The holiday also honours all family dogs and dogs who work tirelessly to save lives and keep us safe. They protect our family and homes for her law enforcement partner, their blind companion, the disabled, and our freedom and safety by detecting bombs and drugs, and they assist us in locating and rescuing accident and catastrophe victims. 

How to Celebrate International Dog Day?

Here are some tips to celebrate the day with your four-legged friends: 

• If you’re planning to adopt a dog for a long time, this might be the right day to bring your furry friend home
• Existing dog owners can celebrate International Dog Day by bringing their canine companions for a lengthy walk in a new location
• You can also celebrate the day by making a promise to spend more time with your furries because they might just be a part of your life, but you are their whole lives
• Celebrate International Dog Day by giving your dog their favourite food
• The day can be commemorated by launching a campaign encouraging people to adopt dogs and give them a better life
• International Dog Day can also be observed by giving a significant donation to a local animal shelter
• If you love dogs but cannot afford them, International Dog Day is a perfect opportunity to visit a nearby shelter and spend the day playing and showering love on them

Must Read: International Tiger’s Day 2023: Theme, Importance, History

Some Facts About Dogs

International Dog Day is a day to encourage people to adopt dogs rather than buy them from pet stores. You will learn some fascinating facts about dogs in this section.

• African Hunting Dog is the most successful hunter in the world, holding the Guinness World Record
• According to the Guinness World Records, the world’s oldest canine breed is the Saluki, which has been around since 329 BC
• Dogs have three eyelids from birth. The final type is a transparent or translucent lid known as haw, which has a nictitating membrane that is useful for protection and lubrication
• Around 30% of Dalmatians can only hear with one ear
• Normally dogs sleep in a circle to protect their organs
• A dog’s longevity is determined by the shape of its face- A longer face on a dog indicates a longer lifespan
• Just like a Human fingerprint, a dog’s noseprint is unique.

Quotes and Wishes

If you love dogs, you should read the International Dog Day quotes and wishes below. Famous people have provided quotes based on their personal experience with dog ownership.

• “Money can buy you a fine dog, but only love can make him wag his tail” – Kinky Friedman
• “Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love. They depart to teach us about loss. A new dog never replaces an old dog, it merely expands the heart” – Erica Jong
• “Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really.” – Agnes Sligh Tumbell
• “A dog is the only thing on Earth that loves you more than he loves himself” – Josh Billings
• “Once you have a wonderful dog, a life without one, is a life diminished” – Dean Koontz
• “If there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went” – Will Rogers
• “Happiness is a warm puppy” – Charles M Schulz
• “Be the person your dog thinks you are” – C.J Frick
• “The world would be a better place if everyone could love as unconditionally as a dog” – M.K Clinton
• “Heaven goes by favour. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in” – Mark Twain

Must Read: International Day of Biological Diversity 2023

FAQs

This was all about International Dog Day 2023. To get updates on more trending events, subscribe to Leverage Edu.