In thinking about what to write for this week’s blog post, I came across an email from the National Day Calendar that today is National Dog Day. Being a dog lover, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity to celebrate my furry friends. I must confess I don’t have a dog right now, but in the past, my family raised several dogs – large breeds as well as small. But whenever I get the urge to pet some fur, I go to my daughter’s house and spend some quality time with her shih tzu.
National Dog Day was founded in 2004 by Pet & Family Lifestyle Expert and Animal Advocate, Colleen Paige. August 26th is the date that Colleen’s family adopted her first dog “Sheltie” when Colleen was 10 years old. The day honors all breeds of dogs, large and small, pure and mixed. National Dog Day discourages buying dogs from puppy mills, backyard breeders, the internet and newspaper ads. Instead, they prefer you adopt a dog either from a large chain store that hosts adoption drives or from a shelter.
If you do decide to get a dog, you will have a faithful, loving and devoted companion. However, there are many expressions that refer to dogs in a disparaging manner. When someone calls you a dog, they usually don’t mean you’re a sweet or loving person.
“Dog eat dog,” or “dog eat dog world.” This implies living in a world with fierce competition, one where everyone only cares about himself.
“Sick as a dog.” Means you are really sick, often referring to a stomach illness. Why they should liken this to a dog, I don’t know.
“Work like a dog.” To work really hard, like a laborer.
I couldn’t help checking the Bible to see if dogs fared any better in biblical times, but everything I found implied that dogs were not valued highly by their owners, if in fact, anyone owned them. Persecutors are called ‘dogs’ (Psalms 22: 16), Paul calls false apostles ‘dogs’, Philippians 3: 2. In 2 Kings 8: 13, Hazael, who later became king, refers to himself as “thy servant which is but a dog.” There are many more examples, but I think these will suffice.
You may be wondering why were dogs regarded with such disdain in the Bible? I cannot answer that, but Genesis 1 : 26 says, “God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. ” He saw that dogs were good and they were useful to mankind, otherwise why else would He have let them survive to this day?
So, if you are fortunate to have a canine friend, cherish him. Whether it’s National Dog Day or any other day, take him out for walks, feed him well, groom him and show him you care. Your physical and mental health will benefit. In return, your dog will reward you with loving kisses, protection and loyalty until his dying day. And while you’re at it, you can pick up some of the treats below for your furry friend.
Do you own a dog? Drop me a line and let me know what you love about your dog. How has he/she enriched your life? And while you are at it, fill in the form below and you will be added to my mailing list to receive more updates and offers. God bless.
