National Dog Day August 26, by Sharren Reil

This incredible day was the brainchild of a woman named Colleen Paige who is an animal activist and a Pet & Family Lifestyle Expert.  The day marks the day she adopted her first family dog.  She started this movement over 20 years ago and  now it is celebrated around the world and is also called International Dog Day.

The Canadian Animal Health Institute (https://cahi-icsa.ca/news/2020-canadian-pet-population-figures-released ) states that in 2020 there were 7.7 million pet dogs in Canada.  A 2016 survey by the company GfK showed that  35% of Canadians owned a cat and 33% owned dogs. And on the website Dogster (https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/how-many-dogs-are-there-in-canada ) it is stated that the most popular breed to own in Canada is the Golden Retriever, followed by the Shiba Inu, Cane Corso, Border Collie and the French Bulldog. 

I have owned dogs my entire life, and all have been rescues except for a Belgian Malinois, which was gifted to me.  Dogs have led me far from my home in Victoria B.C. to the Yukon where I spent almost two decades living in the bush outside Dawson City. I first encountered sled dogs when a friend took me out for a sled ride.  I was hooked and spent years off grid in small cabins breeding and running large Mackenzie River dogs.  I had so many adventures and loved every moment with the team!

Dogs have been the key to my mental health and the reason I am out walking twice a day no matter the weather.  While I have also owned many cats over my 65 years, dogs are my true love.  Dogs have brought me joy, companionship and love.  The devotion of a dog is a gift!  Check out the books about dogs we have compiled for your enjoyment!