It's National Dog Day
Say no more
Hey friends,
It's National Dog Day on August 26th! As if I need another excuse to tell you about my dog. I mean, C'mon.
Dog Day? Let's go!
My dog turned ten years old last month, and I cannot believe it. We got him when he was four months old from the shelter. Adopting from our local shelter was important to us.
I didn't want to go to a breeder. I knew there were so many animals in need of a home at the Humane Society. It was the only way I would get a dog.
We made several trips to the facility and walked through to hopefully find our forever pup.
Most of the dogs available at the time were pit bulls and chihuahuas. So, one breed was too big, and the other too small. We were looking for a medium-sized dog and a puppy. Those were the two stipulations.
Finally, there he was.
Terrier Mix was printed on the card outside his room. He was white and scruffy and weighed about ten pounds. He was skinny with long legs. He looked like a Muppet.
He lapped treats from the floor and immediately jumped in my lap when we met him. I sat on the floor to play ball with him. He chased the ball and brought it right back to me.
"He'll probably be about twenty pounds," they told us.
"Oh, great!" We replied.
He's now closer to 38 pounds but has still retained his skinny Muppet legs.
You never know what you'll get with any dog, especially a shelter dog. We didn't know our dog's breed - not really, so we didn't know what to expect.
That was probably a good thing.
We believed he was capable of being trained - he was, and still is. We thought he would learn to ignore the loud traffic near our home - he did. We felt that he was capable of loving humans even though sometimes strangers scared him - he is.
When he's in our courtyard and neighbors come out, he hops around excitedly. He runs up to people, tail wagging, and as soon as they reach down to pet him, he runs away. It's his invitation to be chased.
He thinks it's the best thing ever.
"It's a shame he's not more friendly." One of my neighbors said sarcastically one day.
National Dog Day here in America was started in 2004 to celebrate dogs and as a reminder to adopt a rescue dog when possible. National Dog Day founder, Colleen Paige, is also against any kind of breed ban.
Breed bans are ridiculous. Any dog can be mean if they have enough pent-up energy that they don't know how to get rid of. I've seen small dogs be vicious.
You'd be mean too if you had no way to exercise or explore the world.
Exercise. Discipline. Affection. That's what famed dog trainer Cesar Milan always says. (I love his show. No surprise).
Dogs will tell you everything you need to know about them. All you need to do is pay attention, and treat them like a dog. They're not humans.
I love dogs so much because they are honest. If they're wary of you, they will let you know it. If they like you, they will tell you right away.
Dogs have unique personalities, and they can be funny.
On our first walk of the day, I ask my dog to sit as we wait for our crosswalk light. He's too excited, so he dances in place and then hits me with his butt. He's playing a joke on me because he doesn't want to sit.
He gives me the side eye and smiles widely. Dogs are joyful animals.
You can celebrate dogs any day if you miss National Dog Day.
Your pup will be happy no matter what. If you're stoked, they're stoked.
Dogs are indeed a human's best friend.
If you want to read even more about my experience adopting and training my dog, you can read this article I wrote about him a couple years ago.
Pure Love. Dogs - We Don't Deserve Them
Have a great weekend, friends.
Pour your favorite drink, pet your pets, and put your feet up.
Until next time.
Peace,
Kit
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