Observed Nationwide as National Dog Month, August is that special time of the year when we celebrate our furry babies and the important role that they play in our lives. Dogs and humans have been cohabiting for thousands of years and there are many benefits to it.
What is National Dog Month?
National Dog Month was founded in 2020 by the famous dog treat company, Milk-Bone. The day was established in an attempt to recognize the uncountable ways by which dogs make our lives better.
Besides celebrating dogs, Milk-Bone also uses this month as an effective way to raise money for a range of dog-related charities.
History of Dogs and Humans
Though the exact history and the time when dogs and humans became best friends is not clear, reports say that dogs and humans have been companions for thousands of years.
The earliest evidence of their relationship was found in a cave in Belgium, where a burial site was found with the remains of a human and a dog.
According to Radiocarbon dating, the incident took place between 14,000 and 20,000 years ago. This study concludes that early humans may have domesticated dogs or had a close relationship with them.
Dogs were traditionally bred as working animals that would help humans hunt and herd livestock. However, over the years the relationship has grown stronger as humans and dogs have co-existed ever since.
Today, in most countries dogs have become beloved pets and as good as family members. According to reports, more than half of the households in the United States have at least one pet dog.
How can we Celebrate National Dog Month?
Irrespective of whether we are dog parents or just dog lovers, there is a wide range of things that we can do to shower our love for dogs during this special month.
- Make a donation to a charity meant for dogs – It is always a generous idea to support charitable organizations that are working tirelessly for the betterment of stray dogs. We might not always be able to work for them directly but donating to a charity serves the purpose to a great extent.
- Adopt a pet dog – Many of us have been dog lovers but didn’t get to adopt one. August is the best time of the year to take the initiative. There are a lot of pets that need a home as shelters can’t take care of all of them. Also, if we already have dogs, our newly adopted one can be of great company to them.
- Volunteer at a nearby dog shelter – August is also a great time when we can start volunteering at a local dog shelter. We can choose to clean the cages, walk the dogs, offer administrative support, or help them arrange a fundraiser to support the shelter.
- Arrange a special spa day – We can observe this special month by pampering our beloved pets. We can consider taking them to a groomer and having them enjoy a few hours of total relaxation.
- Organize a photo shoot – We can celebrate our bond with our furry friends by organizing a professional photo shoot with them. The little ones can be dressed up using props and costumes. We just need to make sure that all these are not too overwhelming for our pets.
- Go on a vacation – We can consider booking a pet-friendly hotel and take our pet on a memorable vacation. The vacation will offer us memories of a lifetime. We just need to make sure that all the places in our itinerary are pet-friendly and pet-safe.
- Prepare homemade dog treats – Let’s not wait for Christmas or their birthdays to spoil them. We can prepare a bunch of mouth-watering delicacies and treat them to observe this special month.
Conclusion
Overall, National Dog Month is the perfect time for any dog lover to shower love on their furry friends to the best of their ability. It is also the ideal month of the year to organize awareness campaigns to protect dogs and offer them the love that they deserve.