I’d heard of Take Your Dog to Work Day but I had not heard of National Dog Day. I came across it on one of the lists I check periodically to find pet and/or animal celebration days to write about.
Well, the reason I had never heard about it before is because it’s relatively new. If I lived in California, specifically near Malibu, I might have heard about it sooner. National Dog Day events are taking over Calamigos Ranch in Malibu today with activities like Most Beautiful Male and Female, a “Little Dog” Model Search for dogs 25 pounds and under, Best Costume, Dog/Human Look-alike, Most Talented, Best Dressed, and for kids only a My Best Friend competition.
I have to say, some of the days I write about are in name only and don’t have organized events or readily identifiable sponsors. Not this one. I Googled it and BAM! The very first website to pop up was NationalDogDay.com.
A woman named Colleen Paige founded the Animal Miracle Foundation which is “the mother-ship to five national lifesaving pet holidays” other than National Dog Day. (Including National Wildlife Day on September 4th, National Cat Day on October 29th, National Mutt Day on December 2nd, National Horse Protection Day on March 1st, and National Puppy Day on March 23rd.)
She’s got quite the interesting background. She’s the daughter of famous parents, actors Robert Paige and JoAnne Ludden, and is a star in her own right. From an early age she was quite the songstress, then changed course after a near-fatal car accident. In addition to being an animal rights activist, she either is or has been a paramedic, studied animal science, creates art, writes, trains dogs, and is even an animal behavior consultant. It’s her love of animals and a horrible incident with a dog given to her after her accident to help her recover that’s guided her to her mission of saving animals.
Last year the goal for National Dog Day was to save 10,000 dogs in one day from shelters. 12,000 dogs ended up being adopted. This year the aim is to try and double that number.
What I really like is Ms. Paige’s commitment to ALL breeds of dogs. She’s got a soft spot for breeds that get a bad rap, like pit bulls and rotties. For this year’s poster she specifically chose a “bull breed” because of all the breed specific legislation that’s creating biases. She wants to show these dogs are not inherently bad, people make them that way.
And I also like that she’s encouraging everyone –pet owners and non-pet owners alike—to donate just $5 to their local shelter today. She feels people don’t give because they think they won’t have enough to give. But if everyone donated just $5 think how much money that would raise? It’s an excellent point. As well as a neat, positive way to celebrate the dogs in our lives and the many dogs that will find homes today across the country.
Related Articles
Best Friends Day: The Furrier the Merrier
Birds on the Brain: International Migratory Bird Day 2007
Celebrating American Eagle Day: The Great Comeback Bird
For the Pet Moms: Happy Mother’s Day
Happy Father’s Day to the Pet Dad’s Out There!
Have You Hugged Your Sea-Monkeys Today?
Hug Your Cat Day: Come Here, Tabby and Mr. Meow!
Mother Ocean Day 2007: Respecting Her Creatures