It’s a dog’s life

Unwaveringly loyal, always eager to please and never judgmental, dogs epitomise friendship and today we celebrate those furry little scamps on International Dog Day. 

It’s perhaps slightly ironic that one of the few groups to benefit from the COVID lockdowns and stay at home orders are dogs. With so many people working from home these days, many dogs are graced with their owner’s company more often than before, and there are plenty of dogs that currently get multiple walks each day where once upon a time that wouldn’t have been possible. 

International Dog Day was founded in 2004 by American dog trainer and animal rescue advocate, Colleen Paige, to celebrate dogs of all shapes and sizes, be they working dogs, assistance dogs or family pets. As well as celebrating these wonderful creatures, the day was established to highlight the plight of dogs needing to be rescued each years and those looking to find a home having been abandoned or found by animal welfare services on the streets.

International Dog Day encourages people to celebrate just how special these animals are, from that loveable family member, to those employed in assistance roles or even working in highly specialised and often dangerous roles.

For those looking at adding a dog to their family unit, International Dog Day also seeks to encourage people to adopt from dog rescue organisations in their state and to avoid disreputable breeders. People are also encouraged to donate to pet rescue organisations in their local area or the RSPA to help support their ongoing programs to care for abandoned and mistreated dogs and other animals.

Over 65 percent of Audi owners are also dog owners, so they’ll be well aware of the countless benefits that come with having a dog, but for those who are perhaps still considering a furry addition to the family, those pluses are well worth considering. 

Aside from the obvious benefits of exercising more as you walk and play with your canine friend on a daily basis, having a dog has also been found to reduce stress and dog owners are less likely to suffer from depression.

Dog ownership is found to foster empathy in children growing up with a dog, and children tend also to grow up with a stronger immune system and greater resistance to allergies when there is a dog in the family.

Greater heart health, lower blood pressure and less overall stress are all benefits of having a dog and they are also linked to improved social lives, although depending on where you live, they may well constitute your social live for the most part while restrictions are in place.

The companionship side of having a dog though cannot be overstated for people of any age and while having a dog is a responsibility that should never be taken lightly or undertaken without proper consideration of your individual circumstances. The rewards are well worth the effort.

So on this, International Dog Day, spare an extra thought for that furry member of the team – big or small, pure bred or mixed, young or old.