National Dog Day: Celebrating the Dogs That Make Our Lives Happier.
There are few things quite as wonderful as being greeted by a dog.
Whether it is the enthusiastic tail wag when you walk through the door, the head resting on your knee when you are having a bad day or simply having a loyal companion beside you on a walk, dogs have a remarkable way of becoming part of the family.
So, on 26 August, National Dog Day gives us the perfect excuse to celebrate them – not just the cute photographs and cuddles, but everything that makes sharing our lives with a dog so special.
National Dog Day was founded in 2004 by animal advocate Colleen Paige and celebrates dogs of every breed and background, while also highlighting the importance of rescue and adoption. The date itself has a personal meaning, marking the day Paige’s family adopted her first dog, Sheltie, when she was ten.
And I think that is rather lovely. Because ultimately, National Dog Day isn’t really about buying our dogs more things. It is about recognising what they give us.
The joy of having a dog
Dogs have a wonderful ability to get us out of the house, whatever the weather. They make us walk when we might otherwise stay on the sofa, introduce us to other dog owners and somehow turn a fairly ordinary walk into an adventure.
They don’t care whether you’ve had a productive day, whether your hair looks dreadful or whether you’re still wearing yesterday’s clothes. They are simply pleased to see you.
And perhaps that is why the relationship between humans and dogs is so special. There is no judgement, no expectation and, in most cases, an extraordinary amount of unconditional affection.
Of course, living with a dog isn’t always quite so idyllic.
There are muddy paws after the walk, wet towels in the bathroom, toys scattered across the floor and the occasional mysterious smell that you would rather not investigate.
And then there is the hair.
Let’s talk about the hair…
If you’ve ever owned a Labrador, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Spaniel or pretty much any dog that sheds, you’ll know that dog hair has an extraordinary ability to travel.
It finds its way onto clothes, furniture, carpets and bedding. You can vacuum the house and within minutes there seems to be another collection of it sitting proudly on the sofa.
Interestingly, this was the problem that inspired Vamoosh.
The brand was created by founder Tom Abbey after his own black Labrador, Mr Chips, demonstrated just how much hair one dog could leave behind. Rather than seeing it simply as another household nuisance, Vamoosh developed products designed specifically to deal with hair around the home.
I’m particularly intrigued by the Vamoosh Pet Hair Dissolver, which is designed to dissolve pet and human hair in the washing machine. For anyone regularly washing dog bedding, blankets and towels, it is an interesting solution to a very familiar problem.
There is also a Vamoosh Washing Machine Cleaner, designed to help tackle the hair that can build up inside the machine after all those pet-related washes.
And then there is Hair Shield Fabric Conditioner, which uses hair-repelling technology to help reduce hair clinging to clothing and fabrics.
Finally, the Vamoosh Plughole Unblocker is designed to deal with hair build-up in drains, using the brand’s hair-dissolving technology. It is chlorine bleach free and septic tank safe.
None of these products is going to stop your dog shedding and, to be honest, I’m not sure we’d want it to. That soft coating of fur is part of the package.
A day to celebrate the whole dog
What I particularly like about National Dog Day is that it encourages us to look beyond our own pets.
There are dogs in rescue centres waiting for homes, older dogs that can be overlooked, working dogs giving their time and energy every day, and countless animals that simply need someone to give them a second chance.
So perhaps this National Dog Day, the best thing we can do is spend a little more time appreciating what dogs bring into our lives.
Take the longer walk.
Give them an extra cuddle.
Buy them their favourite treat.
Donate to a rescue centre.
Consider fostering or adopting if the time is right.
And, if your house is currently covered in dog hair, maybe accept that as a small price to pay for the privilege of having a dog in your life.
Because ultimately, a little extra cleaning is nothing compared with the love, companionship and happiness they give us in return.
Happy National Dog Day to every dog and to the people who are lucky enough to call them family.
Poppy Watt