Dog Thanksgiving Day (26/08)

August 26 is a good holiday – Dog Appreciation Day.

This date appeared in 2004 in the United States as National Dog Day, thanks to the initiative of pet lifestyle expert Colin Page. Gradually, the holiday began to be celebrated outside the United States, and it acquired an international character, although it does not have official statuses.

It is celebrated by all dog breeders, as well as pet lovers who prefer dogs. These four-legged friends became human companions a long time ago. It was the dog that turned out to be the first domesticated animal, becoming a faithful, devoted assistant to humans in hunting, tracking and driving game, in everyday life – guarding herds of animals and homes.

During the period of joint coexistence, man managed not only to domesticate this animal, but also to breed a huge number of dog breeds, each of which successfully performed certain functions, continuing to provide its owner with important and sometimes vital assistance. Such a relationship between a person and a dog has survived to this day.

Humanity knows many unprecedented exploits of dogs that saved human lives in difficult natural and weather conditions, in conditions of limited communication with civilization, delivering vital supplies and medicines to cities affected by epidemics, where people could not reach, using even the most modern technology. Dogs saved people under the rubble after earthquakes and man-made disasters, looked for people lost in the forest, and saved drowning people. It is difficult to overestimate the role of service dogs in the system of law enforcement agencies, ministries of emergency situations, and in the armed forces. This list of dog merits can be continued. Selflessly devoted to man, dogs continue to perform all these functions today. It is also worth remembering the fact that the dog visited space before humans, sacrificing its life. And for a person, a dog is not only a comrade, but also a friend who can brighten up loneliness, make you smile, and lift your spirits.

During the period of joint coexistence, man managed not only to domesticate this animal, but also to breed a huge number of dog breeds (Photo: Vitaly Titov, licensed by Shutterstock.com)

The merits of dogs have been repeatedly glorified in fiction and cinema. Many countries have erected monuments to dogs, glorifying their exploits and services to humanity, as well as such features as loyalty and devotion, which even people can look up to.

The organizers of the holiday and activists draw people's attention to the acute problem of abandoned pets that have become homeless. Dog breeders and animal rights activists urge you to be responsible when choosing a pet, show more attention and affection towards your four-legged friends, and help shelters for homeless animals.

As a rule, on the occasion of Dog Gratitude Day, photo competitions are held on social networks, and donation collections are organized for homeless animal shelters. Parents are encouraged to read a story about human-dog friendship to their children or watch a feature film on this topic together, instilling in their children love and responsibility for their smaller brothers. Well, if your family already has a dog –, pamper her with some kind of delicacy and pay a little more attention to it that day!



Postcard «26 August — Dog Thanks Day» Story «Shaggy Helpers»

1985