By Nila Harris
My husband and I have owned a dog since we began building our house in 1990. We’ve had Labradors, border collies, and several mixed breeds. We’ve bought dogs, been given dogs, and have even had a couple stray into our lives to stay. All our dogs were outside dogs until we experienced the “empty nest” syndrome when our older two children were out of the house. Since then, we’ve had two inside dogs. What were we thinking? An inside border collie sheds like crazy and needs room to move!
August 26th is National Dog Day—a day set aside to celebrate our four-legged canine friends. It was founded in 2004 by Colleen Paige, a pet and lifestyle expert, author, conservationist, animal rescue advocate and dog trainer. It is a day for us to think about the family pets who protect us, give us comfort, love us unconditionally, and help us stay active. It’s a time to think celebrate old dogs, puppies, pure breeds, mixed breeds, and everything in between. Shelters are full of four-legged sweethearts that are just waiting for their forever homes.
National Dog Day is also against the ban of any type of breed. “Dogs should not have to lose their lives, because of the atrocities they have been forced to endure at the hands of man,” says Colleen Paige, National Dog Day founder. “Any dog can bite, regardless of breed. Breed-specific bans are a simplistic answer to a far more complex social problem, and they have the potential to divert the attention and resources from more effective approaches.” (American Veterinary Medical Association). The organization goes on to say that laws may be difficult to enforce due to mixed breeds and undetermined breeds. It also discriminatory against responsible pet owners and their dogs. Better plans might be to prohibit dog fighting, enforcement of non-breed-specific dangerous dog laws with an emphasis on chronic irresponsible pet owners, encouraging neutering, and child/adult educational programs focusing on pet care, selection, and bite prevention strategies.
Don’t have a dog? Need another one? Dogs can bring you peace, comfort, and love. Check out the Pendleton County Animal Shelter for a furry companion. Comedian Gilda Radner shared this insight into what dogs meant to her. “I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me, they are the role model for being alive.”