National Dog Day

Yesterday was National Dog Day so I thought I would write a blog post dedicated to our dog, Harley.

National Dog Day is a holiday that celebrates all dogs, all breeds, pure and mixed. It was founded to help make the public aware of the number of dogs that need to be rescued from public shelters, rescues and pure breed rescues each year. National Dog Day honours family dogs and service dogs that work selflessly to save lives, keep us safe and bring comfort. There are dogs that put their lives on the line every day, whether that be for their law enforcement partner, for their blind companion, for the disabled and for our safety by detecting bombs, drugs and pulling victims of tragedy from wreckage.

Here is the link to the official website if you would like to read more about this holiday:

https://www.nationaldogday.com

If you’re a dog owner yourself, there’s also different ideas on ways to celebrate National Dog Day with your own dog.

Even if you don’t own a dog or you aren’t a dog lover in particular, you have to admit, dogs are pretty amazing though aren’t they. Dogs are loyal, loving and make the best friend. I love being a dog mum. I’ve grown up with dogs all my life, all different breeds, big and small. Some of my best childhood memories are from time spent with my dogs. I always knew when I had a child that I wanted them to grow up around pets too.

(This was me with my first dog Lucy. She was my first dog and my first friend.)

Our dog, Harley is 3 years old now and he’s been in our lives since he was just a pup. I was bought Harley for my 21st birthday after everyone kept asking me what I wanted and all I could think was a dog. Me and my partner had just moved into our first house together but I felt like it was missing something. I think it’s because when I lived with my mum, there was always animals around, all my life I have been around dogs, cats, so when I moved into a house where there was no pets, it felt strange for me. At the time I was really struggling with my anxiety too, I didn’t want to leave the house or speak to people outside of my comfort zone but Harley helped me with that. I had no choice but to take Harley for walks, he needed to go out and he kept me company when I was at home alone and I didn’t feel so lonely anymore.

(Just look at how cute he was!)

Harley was and is our first dog together as a couple and was our first proper ‘responsibility.’ Harley came along a year or so before our first born, Kory. I loved Harley from the moment we went looking at him, he was just so cute and sad looking and he reminded me so much of my old dog, Lucy. I knew that I wanted him, I’d already fallen in love with him! When we brought Harley home I’m not gonna lie, he was so mischievous. He would trash the house, he would chew the carpet, in fact he would chew anything and everything he could find, neighbours would come round complaining he was crying every time I left for work and it took him around a year to be fully house trained. I thought it was never going to sink in! These are just some of the things that spring to mind, I remember thinking once why is this so difficult?! (Pre parent me was so funny, I thought I knew what difficult meant but I had no idea! As I said, this was before our first born.) It was certainly a challenge but we didn’t give up on Harley and I’m so glad we didn’t. Harley is honestly the best dog ever, he’s so well behaved now, he listens, he doesn’t do a single thing in the house, he’s loving, he always makes us laugh because he’s just so silly and above all, he’s got the patience of a saint when it comes to Kory. He went from being our ‘baby’ to being pushed to one side when Kory arrived as I had to take care of a newborn, he missed out on walks, play time and snuggles but he took it all in his stride.

(Both knackered after night feeds.)

Now that Kory is that bit older, Harley gets to go on walks again and he gets double the snugs and play time because Kory loves him just as much as we do. Him and Kory are the best of friends and it melts me to watch them together. I always knew that when I had a child I wanted them to grow up with a dog and here they are together.

(It’s like watching history repeat itself…)

A dog is in no way like having a baby but having to look after a dog definitely made me and my partner grow up and some may not agree with this but in some ways Harley definitely prepared us for having a baby. Before Harley we could go out and come home whenever we liked, we didn’t have to worry about leaving things lying around the house and we didn’t have to worry about vet bills and that sort of thing.

So in honour of National Dog Day and all the fur babies. I wanted to share with you all what I’ve learned from my furry friend:

• Wake up thinking every day including this one is going to be amazing.
• Greet the people you love like you haven’t seen them for years.
• Have fun!
• When out walking, explore!
• Enjoy every meal.
• Be loyal to those who are loyal to you.
• Be stubborn when something is important to you.
• Go on adventures!

Being a dog mum is so much fun.