This Saturday is National Dog Day! August 26th is the annual celebration of man’s (and woman’s) best friends. Back in 2004, the first National Dog Day was founded by an animal advocate, Colleen Paige. According to Paige, she created the national event to “celebrate dogs for their capacity to love and their ability to impact our lives every day in the most miraculous ways.” She also founded similar national days such as National Cat Day, National Puppy Day, and National Mutt Day with the intention of bringing attention to the welfare of animals and inspiring higher rated of pet adoption. So, how do you plan to celebrate this National Dog Day with your furry BFF? If you’re out of ideas, we’ve got some for you listed below.

Sleep In

Thankfully, National Dog Day 2017 falls on a Saturday this year, which means you have all day to spend with your dog. Why not start the day with a late morning snooze and an overdue cuddle session? You have to leave your dog at home alone five days a week to go to work, so be sure to show some extra love tomorrow. And be a little extra patient if he tries to take up the bed.

Watch a Dog-Themed Show or Movie with Your Own Superstar

There are countless movies that celebrate dogs, from the Beethoven franchise to the tear-jerking A Dog’s Purpose. Though, more recently, TV stations have taken to putting pooches on camera, too. Shows like Wilfred and Downward Dog are growing in popularity, so maybe we can expect to see more like them in the future. Who knows, maybe your dog could be on the small screen someday!

Spend Some Time Together Outside

If you have a yard, grab a ball and play a game of fetch. See if you can break your record for how far you can throw. If you don’t have a yard, take your furry friend to the nearest dog park. Dog parks are a great way for dogs and their people to socialize. You and your dogs just might end up making a new friend this National Dog Day!

Update Any Vaccines

Some people use National Dog Day as a reminder to keep up-to-date with their dogs’ vaccinations. If you know your dog needs his shots, schedule an appointment with your vet. But be sure to spoil him rotten afterward. It’s only fair. Shots are scary.

Go to the Pet Store

Going through your dog’s inventory of toys is something you probably do all the time. You can’t just leave ripped up squeakers lying around— that’s a major choking hazard! And you can’t let your furry buddy eat any plush, either. So, once those wrecked toys get tossed, naturally, the next step is going to get more toys. This National Dog Day, why not take your dog with you? Try out some toys with him and see which ones he loves (and which ones will last the longest).

Treat Your Dog to a Stylish New Collar

Most dog owners only replace collars for their dogs when they outgrow them. While that’s certainly a reason to get a new collar, there’s no reason not to get one for a special occasion like National Dog Day. While you’re in the pet store perusing toys, why not stop to look at collars? Maybe the tags need to be replaced, too. Dog tags can suffer a lot of wear and tear with time, so getting a new one will ensure that your dog’s name, home address and your phone number is clearly visible in the event that you two ever get separated.

Pamper Your Dog with a Visit to the Groomer

It’s the least you can do after bringing him to the vet. Nothing says “I love you” like a good bath, manicure, blowout, and lots of belly rubs. Also, while you’re at the salon, be sure to ask the groomer for any tips about grooming at home. Grooming your dog is one of the best bonding experiences you’ll ever have with him.

Happy National Dog Day from Merryfield!

We at Merryfield Academy hope that you and your dog have a fun and memorable Dog Day together. If you are interested in becoming a dog groomer, please contact us for more information regarding our course curriculum, requirements, and objectives.