International dog day is held annually every August 26th, it is a day for people to recognize the importance of dogs and how they impact their lives on a daily basis. It is also a day to recognize how hard service dogs work on our behalf and also to draw attention to the plight of abused and abandoned dogs.

Unfortunately, each year, millions of dogs become homeless because they are unwanted or their owners are unable to care for them. International Dog Day aims to encourage people to adopt dogs from shelters and rescue organizations.

Take time to appreciate the love and value that dogs bring to our daily lives, and to do your bit for homeless and abused dogs the world over. From keeping us safe working for the emergency services to supporting people who are blind, deaf or disabled, dogs do a lot for us humans, and this is an opportunity to give something back.

Fun facts about dogs

• When a puppy is born, he is blind, deaf, and toothless
• There are more than 150 dog breeds, divided into 8 classes: sporting, hound, working, terrier, toy, non-sporting, herding, and miscellaneous.
• Human blood pressure goes down when petting a dog. And so does the dog’s.
• Forty-five percent of U.S. dogs sleep in their owner’s bed.
• Dogs can vary in size from a 36 inch (150+ lb.) Great Dane to a 2 lb. Chihuahua.
• About 1/3 of the dogs that are surrendered to animal shelters are purebred dogs.

Man's Best Friend

Companionship is perhaps the most obvious thing that dogs give us. No one can win hearts like dogs. We love our dogs and they love us. For that, we’re eternally grateful. They often known as man's best friends, dogs were the first animals to be domesticated by humans and they were often used for guarding property, herding stock, and for hunting game. Today, dogs are used as companions and are considered to be a member of the family in many parts of the world.

Ways to bond with your dog

If you want to create a strong bond with your dog be clear and consistent, and be sure everyone is on board. It can be as simple as a walk, a game, or a training session. Here are some ideas for bonding time:

Exercise with your dog

Your dog needs exercise to stay healthy, and so do you. Why not combine the two? Look for ways to exercise together. It can be as simple as walking or running together. Or, for something a little different, you can try hiking or cycling.

No matter what you choose, your dog will be glad to spend the time with you and you both will feel the health benefits of exercise.