Today is National Spoil Your Dog Day. Asa and I are very fortunate that we have everything we could ever want. Our bowls are full, we have more toys than we know what to do with, and we have a family that adores us, who can be with us as much as we want. Sadly, not all dogs are as lucky. If you are as blessed as us, today we offer this suggestion as an alternative way to celebrate. Why not replace the word your with an “a,” making it “Spoil A Dog Day!” By changing that one word, and reaching out to those pups that aren’t as blessed, we could really make a big difference in brightening someone’s day.

• Go online and check out that wish list for your favorite animal shelter, to make that purchase that you’ve been putting off this summer
• Contact the shelter directly and ask if there is something specific you can buy to help a dog that is struggling as it awaits their forever home. Or make a direct financial donation, so they can purchase exactly what they need
• Clean out your toy box and donate a few of your gently used toys
• Donate to your local pet food pantry, to help a family struggling between paying their bills and feeding their pet
• Volunteer at an animal shelter. There are many ways you can spoil a dog while they await their forever home: keeping them company in reading to dog programs, helping to socialize by playing or assisting with training, taking them for a walk to burn anxious energy, or brushing them so they feel like their best self when potential families come to visit.
• Closer to home help a neighbor who works longs hours by offering to check in their dog during the day
• Is there an elderly neighbor who would appreciate the extra help taking their dog for a long walk? Perhaps offer to run an errand to pick up something special for their pup, or give them a ride to the store
• Surprise a dog that is facing a serious medical issue, who could use a morale boost, with a random act of kindness

So today if you are as fortunate as Asa and I am to be spoiled already, we urge you to change that one word from “your” to “a,” and celebrate Spoil A Dog Day, with an act of kindness to brighten someone else’s day.