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🐕 Celebrate your pup on National Dog Day!

🐕 Celebrate your pup on National Dog Day!

Monday, 8/26: Sponsored by Hill's - heartwarming dog tribute, celebrate NDD, dog recipe

August 26, 2024

Olympic Champion Found Strength in Her Dog’s Memory

On National Dog Day, we love to celebrate the special bond between humans and their dogs—they're more than just pets; they are family. Even the world’s greatest athletes know this truth all too well because even with gold, dogs are the true medal winners. Olympic champion Sharon van Rouwendaal’s heartfelt tribute to her beloved dog brought us all to happy tears, reminding us just how amazing dogs are.

Sharon van Rouwendaal of the Netherlands swam the 10,000-meter open water marathon in the Seine with a purpose: to honor her beloved dog Rio’s memory.

Rio was an adorable, small Pomeranian named after van Rouwendaal’s gold medal victory in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. In her own words, tiny Rio was her world. And that world came to a halt when Rio passed away unexpectedly in May, just a few months before the Olympics, after complications from lung surgery.

In a vulnerable Instagram post, Sharon wrote, “Today, I need to say goodbye to my little man who has given me the best feeling in the world, better than any medal I ever won, better than any swimming moment I have ever experienced.”

After Rio’s passing, van Rouwendaal couldn’t bring herself to swim for weeks. But her dad encouraged her to do one more race and to give it everything she had—for Rio. Taking her dad’s advice (something all of us should do every now and then), she decided to honor Rio’s memory by returning to the water and winning gold for him.

Van Rouwendaal emerged from the water after winning the women’s 10 km open water marathon and pointed to the paw tattoo on her wrist in tears. Rio was the first thing on her mind when she surfaced, and she dedicated her victory to him.

10 Ways to Celebrate National Dog Day

We love celebrating our pups every single day, but National Dog Day gives us the perfect excuse to dote on them even more and show them just how much they mean to us. After all, they show us how much we mean to them in such selfless ways: running to greet us, being there when we need snuggles, and always making us smile. Here are some special ways to celebrate National Dog Day… and all the dogs in the world.

Bake Homemade Dog Treats

What better way to say “I love you” than with homemade treats? Get in the kitchen and whip up some delicious dog-friendly goodies. From peanut butter biscuits to pumpkin pupcakes, your dog will be drooling (more than usual) as they wait for these tasty treats to cool.

Take Your Pup Outside

Celebrate the day with some fresh air and exercise. Whether it’s a hike, a long walk, or a trip to the dog park or the beach, your pup will love spending quality time with you outdoors. And hey, since it’s their special day, maybe you’ll even let your dog chase that squirrel in the park—it’s all about them, after all!

Plan a Doggy Playdate

If your dog loves socializing, plan a playdate! Invite their best doggy friends over and watch them run, wrestle, and bark themselves silly. And don’t forget to capture a video of them in full zoomie mode.

Support an Animal Rescue or Shelter

National Dog Day isn’t just about our own pups; it’s a chance to spread the love to dogs everywhere. Donate some blankets, toys, or food to a local shelter. Your generosity could make a big difference in the lives of dogs waiting for their forever homes and help them find what your dog has with you.

Volunteer

If you’re looking to do more, volunteering at a local shelter is a rewarding way to celebrate. Whether it’s walking dogs, helping with adoption events, or just spending time with the animals, your efforts will be appreciated by both the staff and the pups. Your dog will totally approve of you giving back—and might even demand a few extra pats for good karma.

Buy Your Dog a New Toy

Spoil your pup with some new toys. They can never have too many toys for being the goodest girl or boy ever! Surprising them with a new squeaky toy, a bouncy ball, or maybe even that plushie that’ll last all of five minutes. It’s the thought that counts, right?

Dress Them Up in a New Leash & Collar

Treat your dog to a fresh new leash and collar. Our pups often rock collars that look a little… well-loved, for far too long. It’s a practical gift that also gives your pup a fresh, spiffy look. After all, who doesn’t want their dog to be the best-dressed pup on the block?

Take Adorable Photos of Your Pup

Capture the fun of National Dog Day with a photoshoot! Set up a mini session and snap your pup’s cutest expressions—whether they’re giving you the classic head tilt or the “What do you want from me?” face. And hey, why not enter them in a photo contest? They’re a winner in your eyes, after all.

Doggy Spa Day

Pamper your dog with a spa day. Whether that means a full-on grooming session, a relaxing massage, or just some extra brushing at home, your dog will feel like royalty (as they should!).

Adopt a Dog!

What better day to adopt a dog than National Dog Day? Just make sure you’re ready for the commitment and not just making a grand gesture for the occasion. Bringing a dog into your home is like getting a lifelong roommate who eats socks and thinks every vacuum cleaner is an enemy. But the love and laughs they bring are worth every bit of it.

How are you planning to celebrate with your pup this National Dog Day?

Win a FREE year of Hill’s Pet Food!

Could your furry friend be our next star? Enter your dog or cat into Hill’s Pet of the Month sweepstakes, and they could win a year’s supply of food just by looking cute!

One GRAND PRIZE winner gets 1 year’s worth of Hill’s pet nutrition
50 runners-up get a free small bag of pet food just for entering
New winners are announced every month

📸 Submit your dog or cat today and see if the next pet of the month is sitting right next to you.

Enter to win Hill's Pet of the Month.

Thanks to Hill’s for sponsoring The Daily Dig!

DOTD - Meet Madie

Madie is a beautiful English Cream Golden Retriever who loves everything and everyone. She’s sweet, friendly, and easy-going. Madie enjoys cuddling, chewing on bones, taking long, walks, and hanging her head out of the window during car rides! She is her owner’s world. Thanks for sharing!

Image courtesy of Daily Dig reader Jeremy

Make a Barkuterie Board for Your Dog!

Charcuterie boards are all the craze these days—so why not treat your dog to one? Get fancy with your pup’s snack time by creating their very own “barkcuterie” board! Fill it with their favorite treats and dog-safe snacks, and watch them indulge. They’ll be over the moon when they realize this board is ALL for them! And, of course, you can share the non-dog-treat, human options with them too.

You’ll need:

Your dog’s favorite treats – Think jerky tenders, chicken strips, or any of their go-to goodies.
Fresh, dog-safe produce – Cucumbers, strawberries, carrots, blueberries, and other safe fruits or veggies.
A dip – Good old peanut butter is always an excellent choice.
Cheese – Provolone or cheddar, thinly sliced.

Prep the Produce and Cheese: Start by prepping the produce and cheese. Use dog-themed cookie cutters to add an extra touch of fun (mainly for you—your dog will devour it either way!). Some perfect shapes would be different-sized dog bones, paw prints, and hearts to show all the love we have for them! Be sure to slice vegetables like cucumbers and carrots lengthwise, and fruits like strawberries in half before using the cookie cutters.
Arrange the Big Treats: Place the bigger dog treats, such as tenders, strips, and jerky, along the outer edge of the board.
Add the Peanut Butter: Scoop peanut butter into a small bowl and place it in the center of the board. Then, add your two largest cookie cutters (or small bowls) next to it and fill them with small treats.
Fill in the Board: Add the shaped produce to the board, arranging it around the peanut butter and treats. Fill in any remaining empty spaces with the thinly sliced cheese.
Serve and Enjoy: Watch your dog feast and join in the fun—if their drool doesn’t get on everything before you can reach it!

Could Your Pup Be a Star?

Could your furry friend be Hill’s next pet of the month? Enter your pet now for a chance to win a year’s supply of dog food!

A Special Message From Our Best Buddies

Daily Dig is inspired and brought to you by our wonderful dogs. Our dogs, and all the other pups out there, make the world a happier, brighter place. ❤️

With lots of love,

Stitcher, Minnie, & Finnegan 🐾

🦴 A Little Treat

🤔 Did You Know: Idaho has the highest dog ownership rate in the U.S., with 58 percent of households owning a dog!

🐶 DOTD: Give your pup the spotlight by submitting them for the dog of the day! This month's theme is dogs and their furry friends. Reply to this email with the best pics of your dog with a buddy, a short description, and their name to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

🥰 Spread positivity: Do you enjoy starting your day off with our community? If so, please consider forwarding this email to help us spread our love of all things dogs!

💌 Reply for a surprise: If you are reading this reply with how you and your pup are celebrating National Dog Day for a surprise in your inbox!

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