Yahoo Lifestyle National Black Dog Day 2024: When It Is & How to Celebrate
They say every dog has his day, and they weren't kidding! It seems like there's a holiday for just about any variety of pooch you can think of, down to the color of their fur. If your dog sports a coat that's the color of midnight, their big day is coming up soon, because October 1 is National Black Dog Day!
What better way to kick off the "Spooky Season" than with a special little holiday celebrating the most "goth" fur color of all?
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What's the Story Behind National Black Dog Day?
While National Black Dog Day might sound like kind of a fun, frivolous holiday just for kicks, the woman who first started it did so with an important mission in mind: dispelling the superstitious, hurtful stigmas surrounding black dogs.
Much like black cats, black dogs are often less likely to be adopted than dogs of other coat colors, at least according to anecdotal evidence from many shelter workers nationwide over the years. Many people hold superstitious beliefs about the color black, associating it with evilness, aggression, and depression. While studies sometimes contradict each other over how widespread this unfortunate phenomenon is, it's well-known enough to have its own name: Black Dog Syndrome.
Colleen Paige, a longtime pet activist and animal behaviorist who founded several other pet holidays, wanted to do her part to put an end to Black Dog Syndrome. She started National Black Dog Day on October 1, 2011 to do away with this harmful stigma, encourage black dog adoption, and celebrate the beauty of dark-colored dogs everywhere. More than a decade later, this holiday is still recognized by dog lovers worldwide!
Related: 205 Black Dog Names for Your Perfect Pup
Emil Sashev via Shutterstock
How You Can Celebrate National Black Dog Day
This holiday is all about black dogs, so celebrating it is simple: if you've got a special black dog in your life, show 'em a great time on October 1! In all seriousness, though, we can think of a few fun yet meaningful ways you can celebrate National Black Dog Day and help make a difference in the plight of black dogs everywhere.
Spoil Your Black Dog Rotten, Obviously
No doubt you lavish your pup with lots of love all the time, but in the spirit of the season, make a little time to do something extra for your black dog on October 1! Of course, other non-black dogs in your household can join in on the fun to avoid any jealousy. Consider doing something fun and exciting like:
Grabbing some new toys from the pet store and playing together
Giving your dog a special grooming session or spa day to take good care of their glossy black coat
Baking your own dog treats, like these yummy homemade peanut butter dog treats.
Going on a mini-adventure with a long walk through a new park or hiking trail
Ultimately, you know what your dog likes the best. It's their special holiday - make it a great one for them!
Show Off Your Pup on Social Media
If you love posting on your socials, bring your black dog into the spotlight for the day! Posting a fun photo or video of your pup and tagging it #nationalblackdogday is a fun and easy way to show off your best friend while spreading the word about this special holiday.
Adopt - or Foster - a Black Dog
But what if you don't have a black dog in your family? Well, there's an easy fix for that: just adopt one! Not only will you give a precious pooch the forever family they've been waiting for, but you'll also be doing your part to keep yet another black dog from falling victim to Black Dog Syndrome. If you're not sure whether you're ready to fully commit to pet adoption, but you're open to having a rescue dog in your home, you could also consider fostering a black dog as well. Who knows - maybe you'll end up becoming a "foster fail!"
Support Your Local Animal Rescues
Animal shelters and rescues across the country do immensely important work to help dogs of all colors and coats. Even if you can't adopt or foster a pet, you can support your local shelters by volunteering your time, donating cash or pet supplies, or even simply spreading the word about upcoming adoption events, particularly ones centered around adopting out black dogs or other often-overlooked shelter animals like senior and disabled dogs.
Talk About Black Dog Syndrome
While the prevalence of Black Dog Syndrome nowadays is very controversial, the sheer number of animal rescuers and shelter workers who've claimed to have witnessed it indicates that there's more to it than just some urban legend. It's not all down to just superstition, either. According to Horizon Animal Hospital, black dogs may also get passed over more than others because they don't photograph as well as other dogs, their facial features are more difficult to make out, or because they stand out less than dogs with brighter-colored coats.
If Black Dog Syndrome is largely caused by unconscious bias, then the best way to dispel it is to bring the bias to light. Talk to people about Black Dog Syndrome, share some things you love about black dogs, and highlight the stories of black dogs waiting to be adopted from shelters near you. A minor shift in perspective can be all it takes for someone to realize their bias and look at black dogs in a whole new light!
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