Your puppy’s warm body is curled up on your lap, the sounds of soft snoozing revealing a happy, content puppy taking a nap after a rowdy play session. As you stare down at your best friend, your heart is about to burst with the love you have for this little four-legged cuddlebug!
The human-animal bond between you and your puppy grows stronger with every snuggle and boop on the nose. Even though they don’t speak our exact language, we swear we know what they’re thinking by their expressions and interest in what we have to say. They can sense when we’re having a bad day and are there to help us celebrate life’s biggest moments. We may hold celebrations on their birthday or “gotcha day,” but have you ever observed National Dog Day before? It’s not too late to get started if you’ve missed it in years past or are celebrating your first one.
Let’s celebrate our love for our puppies this National Dog Day on Monday, August 26 to demonstrate how meaningful they are to us.
Dog Ownership By the Numbers
If you’re a dog lover, you’re not alone! Let’s check out some interesting dog ownership statistics from the pet industry that may make you “paws” when you realize the numbers behind how much we love our puppies. According to Forbes and various insurance surveys, here are recent dog ownership numbers to know:
- 65.1 million U.S. households own a dog, and of these households, 97% of dog owners consider their dogs as part of their family
- Get those wallets ready: Essential dog expenses cost an average of $1,533 annually, and Americans spent $136.8 billion on their pets just in 2022
- Dog ownership is rising: The percentage of U.S. households who own dogs increased by 6.1 percentage points between 2016 and 2022
- Impact on mental health: A 2023 study found that 69% of dog owners reported their dogs reduce stress and anxiety, provide unconditional love and support, and offer companionship
- Adventure time: 75% of dog owners in the US take their canine companions along for rides and adventures
- Fun facts: Florida tops the list of states with the most spoiled dogs, and out of 10,000 owners, 6.78% broke up with a significant other who didn’t like their dog!
How Dogs Assist Humans
While humans are the most intelligent animals on the planet, we still can’t perform feats dogs can. We are forever grateful for the abilities dogs possess that they allow us to utilize to better humanity. Here’s a brief list of opportunities dogs with jobs have to help humans thrive:
- Truffle locators
- Hunting assistants
- Search and rescue
- Emotional support dogs
- Comfort and therapy dogs
- Protection and guard dogs
- Water rescuers and locators
- Invasive and endangered species
- Programs for incarcerated people
- Guide dogs for the visually impaired
- Livestock shepherds and ranchhands
- Military and local enforcement agencies
- Clearing runways and golf courses from birds
- Actors, models, “spokesdogs,” and entertainers
- Medical alert and detection dogs: Allergies, PTSD, seizures, and more
Ways to Celebrate National Dog Day With Your Puppy
There are a plethora of opportunities to choose from when celebrating National Dog Day! You could even put in for some time off from work to dedicate the whole day to pampering your puppy – in a perfect world, right? Regardless of the amount of time you have to spend with your puppy on the actual day, be sure to show some love to your puppy with these ideas for celebrating National Dog Day.
Be a responsible pawrent
The best way to celebrate your puppy every day is to be a responsible pet owner to your puppy. First, you should establish a relationship with a licensed veterinarian as part of your team of people keeping your puppy healthy and looking its best. Certain dog breeds will need regular grooming, whether your dog attends regular grooming sessions or you DIY your dog’s grooming needs. Training your puppy ensures a harmonious household and makes a good canine citizen on outings. It also means being a financially responsible pet owner by setting aside money to afford regular and unexpected expenses.
Celebrate the day with other dogs
National Dog Day should be a celebration of wagging tails everywhere! Dogs are social animals, so let them sniff new friends to their hearts’ content by giving them opportunities to socialize with other dogs and like-minded dog lovers. Attend a dog-centric gathering like a dog breed-specific meetup, a charity walk, a puppy party, dog trivia at the local brewery, or the local dog park. If you’re not feeling large crowds, choose your puppy’s favorite canine friends and keep the gathering small with a puppy playdate or by exploring a local trail together.
Preserve memories through art
Dogs are in our lives at the right time, and we want to cherish every moment with them. Preserve your memories by capturing them at different stages of their lives to see how they grow with you both in size and in love. Get creative! You don’t have to be an award-winning artist to make something as a pet memento to cherish forever. Here are some artsy activities to create:
- Paw Print Crafts: There are so many creative ways to utilize your puppy’s paw print with paw print keepsakes for dogs! Create masterpieces with a few supplies like non-toxic paint, a paper plate, canvas, paper, or wood, and plenty of wipes for clean-up time. Whether you create a bouquet of flowers, a garden stepping stone, or a simple wall print, you’ll always think of all the high-fives you’ve shared.
- Pet Portrait Party: You don’t have to be Pawcasso to paint a custom pet portrait of your furry friend, no matter what skill level you have. Find a local pet portrait painting class to help guide you through painting a customized portrait of your puppy. Choose a clear photo, submit it to the instructor ahead of time, and watch your inner creativity unfold.
- Puppy Photoshoot: Take your puppy photos to the next level by studying tips for pet photography to make those pictures pop. Whether they’re just for you or shared on social media platforms, photos that capture your dog’s personality in an artistic manner are preserved for years to come. It’s also fun to learn new photo editing and composition techniques to up your photography skills.
Every Day is National Dog Day at Pawrade!
We celebrate National Dog Day every single day of the year at Pawrade! That’s why we’ve partnered with reputable breeders who love and care for their puppies to give them a great, healthy start in life. From Chihuahuas to Great Danes, we have a puppy that fits every size preference and living situation. If you need help, our Puppy Concierge Team is ready to assist you in finding the love of your life. Browse our puppies for sale to find your new best friend to love and cherish so you can celebrate National Dog Day in style year-round!
