In this post, I share thoughts on National Dog Month, which is celebrated in August each year. (Edition 1:6)

As I write this post, my two dogs, Mollie and Georgie, are in my backyard enjoying a beautiful summer day. Not too hot, low humidity, and with a light breeze. I always wanted to take my dogs to work with me over the years, but since my office was often inside a hospital campus and my pups were not certified therapy dogs, there was no way for that to happen.

Since I retired from my full-time public relations career, I now write in my home office with Mollie and Georgie close by my side. I will often stand up and take a step only to find one of my dogs in the way. And I love it. In fact, I think the dogs help me with being creative. I know they help me relax. Of course we take regular breaks for treats, playing in the yard, and going for walks. Mollie is a black lab and terrier mix, and Georgie is a boxer mix.

You can see clearly that my dogs have it made. That’s what made me smile when I read about the month of August being designated as the annual celebration of National Dog Month. The month is held so pet parents will go above and beyond to take extra special care of their dogs. That’s nice. I know there are many dogs who do not have the great lives my dogs have. But for Mollie and Georgie, every month is National Dog Month, and every day is National Dog Day.

That’s the way it should be. So, for National Dog Month I generally do two things in addition to loving my dogs. One is to make a donation to a local animal shelter to help animals who are looking for their forever homes. The second is to make a donation to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a charitable organization that trains dogs to become service animals for people with vision challenges.

You can do something similar. Purchase and donate some unopened dog food and cat food to your local animal shelters and rescue centers. Make the celebration of National Dog Month your own. Just be sure to celebrate.

REMEMBER…

◊ Adopt and provide a good home for a shelter pet.◊ Teach children the importance of respecting and being kind to animals.