In the photo: Adam Yates from Great Britain of UAE Team Emirates celebrates with dog Zoe after winning the Tour de Suisse after the eighth and final stage, a 15.7km Individual Time Trial (ITT) from Aige to Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland
No one can win hearts like man's best friend and in honour of this bond between man and dog, International Dog Day is celebrated.
Let's take time to appreciate the love and value that dogs have in our daily lives and do our part for homeless and abused dogs around the world. From keeping us safe to working for the emergency services and supporting the blind, deaf or disabled, our four-legged friends do a lot for us humans and this is an opportunity to say thank you.
International Dog Day was created to celebrate all dog breeds: mixed and purebred. The day helps to mobilize the public so that they can recognize the number of dogs that need to be saved every year by purebred rescuers, rescue centres and public shelters.
The day is observed to pay tribute to these amazing animals who work selflessly to bring comfort, and safety and save lives. Every day these animals put their lives in danger. Some dogs protect our safety and freedom by detecting drugs and bombs, as well as those that rescue victims from accidents and tragic situations. In addition, there are dogs for the disabled, the blind and law enforcement. From these hero dogs to our pet friends, they have a special place in our lives and that's why we should honour them.
Amazing facts about dogs
Did you know that the most successful hunter in the world is the “Hyena Hound”? These animals are successful in 50 to 70% of their hunts. They even hold the Guinness World Record for it. Another record is held by the Saluki for the oldest dog breed. This breed dates back to 329 BC. Then in Ancient Egypt, these dogs were kept as royal pets. There are rumours that this breed can be traced even further back in time as there are carvings located in southern Iraq of a dog that closely resembles this breed and they can be dated to 7000 BC.
Did you know that dogs have three eyelids? The third eyelid is important in providing moisture and protection to the eye. Some distinctive characteristics are associated with specific dog breeds. For example, Shar Pei and Chow Chow have black tongues, and 30% of Dalmatians are deaf in one ear. If a cheetah and a greyhound face each other in a long-distance race, the “Greyhound” will win. This is because it excels at exceptional long-distance speeds. It can hold a speed of 35 km/h for up to 11 km.
Let's also mention some of the most inspiring dogs in the world. “Labrador” Killian saved his friend from prolonged abuse. Jordan and Benjamin Hope had hired a babysitter for their son after spending time searching online. They were so confident with their choice that they decided to hire a babysitter for five months. But Alexis Hahn didn't turn out to be the amazing babysitter she claims to be. She hit the baby and scolded him constantly. The abuse would have continued for at least five months if their dog Killian hadn't alerted the couple. When the babysitter arrived, Killian was standing near the baby and showing aggressive behaviour towards her. This caused concern and the parents decided to hide a phone under the couch to record what was happening. So everything was exposed, and if it hadn't been for Killian, they would never have known.
Another amazing story is about the “Golden Retriever” Toby. When a large piece of apple lodged in his owner Debbie Parkhurst's throat, she couldn't get it out and had to fight at her chest to try and push the apple out, but to no avail. Her two-year-old retriever noticed her desperation and began jumping up and down on her belly to dislodge the apple, saving her life.
You might be wondering who started this amazing day. We have Colleen Page to thank for that. She is an animal advocate and pet and family lifestyle expert. The day marks the date she adopted her first family dog, a Sheltie. The day is recognized around the world and is even enshrined in New York law, showing how important it is. | BGNES
