Going to the Dogs

 

Today is National Dog Day.

Perhaps appropriate as one of the "dog days of August," the unofficial holiday was started in 2004 by an animal advocate.  It's been picked up as a marketing opportunity by several companies that signed on as official sponsors.  One is a bit of a stretch, but Autotrader.com is using it to release their list of best cars for dogs.  Loew's Hotels is tying in with a "Yappy Hour" event tonight at their Loew's Regency in New York.  

Nextdoor, a social media network, used the occasion to release a list of the most popular dog names.  The top name this year is Bella, with other most popular names that include Max and Charlie --names of two dogs that I know.

For most of us who are dog owners or dog lovers, it's just another excuse for us to do something special for our pups -- an extra biscuit or toy, or an extra-long snuggle. 

I wish I could give a snuggle with my doggie pal Loki, who left us at the beginning of this year. He will always be my puppy-love.

 

       Loki and me ....