National Dog Day August 26th, 2011

Today is National Dog Day! Time to celebrate with your pooch!  From the dogday.com here are 50 ways to celebrate with your dog today!

Make sure to let us know what kind of dog you have (if ya have one or more!) and what you'll do to celebrate too!

1. Adopt a dog from your local shelter or pure breed rescue organization. Volunteer at your local shelter and offer to walk a dog or play with a dog, clean cages or anything else they need help with.

2. R U prepared for a new dog? Purchase "The Good Behavior Book for Dogs" {Rockport/Quarry Books} to help you with everything you need to know to raise a well behaved and happy dog!

3. Donate blankets, food and toys to organizations such as Blankets of Love.

4. Organize a peaceful demonstration in front of your community pet store that sells puppies.

5. Write your Congressman and ask that he/she support the ban of Puppy Mills in your state.

6. Assist an ill or elderly neighbor by walking their dog.

7. Have a National Dog Day party and invite all your friends and their dogs!

8. Join a fun, dog friendly community online and post pics of your pooch for the world to ooh and ahh over!

9. Host a National Dog Day event to raise money for your local animal shelter.

10. Have a Witty Wocks made to preserve the likeness of your dog forever.

11. Have a portrait painted of your dog to suspend the fleeting magic of dogdom.

12. Buy your dog a fun new dog toy.

13. Give your dog some fun exercise by taking him or her to a doggy play resort.

15. Brush your dog to eliminate excess fur.

16. Give your dog a massage or holistic spa treatment.

17. Get your dog some leash training lessons.

18. Buy your dog a cute new outfit or fashionable collar and leash.

19. Purchase a fabulous new carrier for your small breed dog like this one from Mommy Bus.

20. Take your dog to the beach.

21. Throw out all your chemical cleaners and purchase non-toxic cleaners for your home to keep your dog cancer-free!

22. Dog-proof your home and yard with a "dog safe" inspection by pet safety expert, Colleen Paige

23. Buy your dog a beautifully designed original accessory like these beaded collars from ZanyZak.

24. Install a car safety harness to keep your dog safe during travel from

25. If you haven't already, switch to a holistic brand of dog food to keep your dog healthy.

26. Hire a pet photographer to capture your dog's life moments, such as Susan Sabo.

27. Pamper your dog in pure luxury by purchasing something fabulous from a popular  shop.

28. Buy your dog a chic and comfy new bed.

29. Take your dog on a pet friendly vacation.

30. Buy yourself and your dog some matching tee shirts!

31. Create a profile and share your dog photos at Purina's petcentric.com

32. Have a custom Dog House built for your dog.

33. Buy a dog gate to keep your dog out of hazardous areas of the home.

34. Dog-proof your pool to prevent the risk of drowning.

35. Buy a canine first aid kit and put it in your car in case of injury while away from home.

36. Microchip & I.D. Tag your dog so the shelter can locate you if he gets lost.

37. Make sure your dog has all vaccines and a regular health exam.

38. Wear a tee shirt with a cute dog on it.

39. Switch to filtered water only from now on, to prevent illnesses related to toxins in normal water supplies.

40. Teach your children and their friends to be kind to your dog by never pulling on his ears or tail.

41. Pledge to walk your dog every day for proper health and behavior management.

42. Teach your dog some obedience skills.

43. Take your dog to an elderly community and spread some love.

44. If you like your little dog to snuggle in bed with you, buy him some doggie steps to make it easy for him to join you.

45. Buy your dog a designer crate that fits with your interior décor style.

46. Make your home pet friendly by choosing pet friendly fabrics that hold up to your dog's wear and tear.

47. Install a fence around your unfenced yard so your dog can run and enjoy some freedom at home.

48. Pledge to never chain your dog to a tree or doghouse. Always include your dog in your family by letting him live inside the home with you.

49. Carpet any stairs you may have to reduce risk of injury to your dog by slipping and falling.

50. And last but not least - pledge to never yell at or hit your dog...to be patient and kind and give your dog lots of love and praise every day.