National Dog Day Focuses on Charity, Rescue and Adoption

You may celebrate man's best friend regularly. Do you walk your pup through your Ross or West View neighborhood? Go to the North Park Dog Park for an off-leash romp?  If not, Sunday's the day to do so!

Aug. 26 is National Dog Day. That's the day animal advocate Colleen Paige has designated for honoring all those dogs who bring in the paper, and all those dogs who are neglected.

Not to be confused with National Mutt Day (Dec. 2), National Puppy Day (March 23) or National Pet Day (April 11), each of the 19 national and international pet days founded by Paige are all designed with one thing in mind: to draw attention to the need for pet rescue.

Paige, author, pet behaviorist and self-proclaimed "pet celebrity lifestyle expert" founded the Animal Miracle Foundation and Network (AMFN), a nonprofit Christian faith-based charity, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Since 2004, Paige says that National Dog Day has rescued 100,000 dogs and has now spread its efforts worldwide.

"We will never meet a human who will love us without condition, without expectation, without someone, at some point, disappointing us, breaking our heart ... ," Paige said. "Dogs will never do this to us. They are steadfast ... and short, fat, tall, skinny, any race, any religion, there is no discrimination—we are perfect in their eyes. They deserve so much more than they get."

Paige dubbed the holiday a "K-9 Fourth of July" and asks pet lovers to celebrate by adopting a shelter dog, helping an ill or elderly neighbor by walking their dog, or with a $5 donation to Animal Friends or the Animal Rescue League. But that's just three of National Dog Day's 50 Ways to Celebrate.

If you're interested in adopting be sure to follow our feature each week. You can also contact the nearby Animal Friends or the Animal Rescue League in Pittsburgh.

SHARE! Post photos of your pooch to the to show 'em some love. Also, tell us in the comment section below how you are celebrating National Dog Day.

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