National Dog Week was founded in 1928 by Captain Will Judy, a former publisher of Dog World Magazine and a dog judge. He created National Dog Week to educate all dog owners in their responsibilities to their pets and to their communities. The origin of “man’s best friend” is alleged to have come from a closing argument given by Sen. George Graham Vest. Vest was representing  a man whose dog was shot and killed by a neighbor.

In his closing statement, Vest gave what has become the famous “Tribute to the American Dog.” The speech was so powerful that it won the case.
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http://m.entirelypets.com/nationaldogweek.html

Miss Babe Ruth started as a bat and ball dog for the Greensboro minor league team on Aug. 2, 2006.

At the intersection of man’s best friend and America’s pastime has resided Miss Babe Ruth, a pooch whose dog house has been a stadium, whose caretakers have been players and coaches and fans, whose job has been our entertainment.

After nine years as the Greensboro (N.C.) Grasshoppers’ faithful Labrador retriever, living up to her breed name and fetching bats and balls around the field, the world’s best ballgirl is calling it quits. Babe retired Saturday after 649 consecutive home games with the Marlins’ Class-A affiliate.
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http://nypost.com/2015/08/30/farewell-to-baseballs-most-adorable-ball-fetching-dog/

20 Ways To Celebrate!

1. Adopt a dog from your local shelter or pure breed rescue organization. Volunteer at your local shelter and offer to walk a dog or play with a dog, clean cages or anything else they need help with.

2. Have a safety check of your home to make sure it’s safe for your dog and others.

3. Donate blankets, food and toys to animal welfare organizations.

4. Organize a peaceful demonstration in front of your community pet store that sells puppies.

5. Write your Congressman and ask that he/she support the ban of Puppy Mills and Gas Chambers in your state.

6. Order an adorable dog shaped flower arrangement from 1-800-Flowers.com and enjoy a 10% discount by using code GOODLIVING when placing your order!

7. Have a National Dog Day party and invite all your friends and their dogs!
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http://www.nationaldogday.com/#!celebrate/cee5

To report an animal in weather-related jeopardy, please call the Humane Society of Missouri at (314) 647-4400
When temperatures and heat indices soar, pet owners are advised to take special precautions to keep pets safe. High temperatures can be deadly for pets left without a cool, shady place to rest and plenty of water. 

http://www.hsmo.org/vet-care/weathertips.html

Never leave a pet unattended in a parked car when the temperature is more than 70 degrees: When it’s 72 degrees outside, a car’s temperature can rocket to 116 degrees, even with the windows cracked. When it is 85 degrees outside, the temperature inside a car can soar to 120 degrees in minutes. Leaving a pet in a hot, unattended car is inhumane, illegal and can cause severe injury or even death within minutes.

Act immediately if you see a distressed animal in an unattended car:  Call the local police and the Humane Society of Missouri ANIMAL ABUSE HOTLINE  314-647-4400. A pet showing signs of distress such as heavy panting, unresponsive behavior, seizure or collapse needs IMMEDIATE attention.

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http://www.hsmo.org/vet-care/weathertips.html

Published July 09, 2015   FoxNews.com

A Georgia woman who read about a dog in need of hospice for his final days has created a bucket list for him to complete during his short time with her.

Nicole Elliot first heard about Chester when he was saved from death row by Animal Ark Rescue in April, MyFoxAtlanta.com reported. Chester, who has cancerous tumors throughout his body, has also tested positive for heartworm.

“He is still so sweet and as perky as he could be,” Elliot posted on the Facebook page called “Chester’s Final Journey.” He has more than 47,000 likes from supporters following his final days.

Since being placed with Elliot, Chester has gone on car rides, accompanied Elliot at work, enjoyed ice cream, gone on shopping sprees and was featured in his own photo shoot.

Elliot posted on the Facebook page that she is open to hearing any other ideas his followers may have.
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http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/07/09/georgia-woman-fostering-dying-dog-creates-bucket-list-for-final-days/

Mark your calendars for 2015 Strut Your Mutt!

Best Friends Animal Society’s Strut Your Mutt may just be the most fun you can have helping to save the lives of homeless dogs and cats in your neighborhood – and around the country. The annual fundraising dog walk, 5K run* and festival culminates in a day of fun for four- and two-legged participants of all ages.

Participate on your own – or as part of a team! – to raise funds for a shelter or rescue organization in your area. Don’t miss the chance to have a ball … and make a difference for homeless pets near you!

Want to see what Strut is all about? Watch the video below.
https://youtu.be/wThqX5qMKZ4

By Associated Press     June 27, 2015 | 4:24am
Photo: Splash

PETALUMA, Calif. — A 10-year-old mutt named Quasi Modo, whose spinal birth defects left him a bit hunchbacked, is the winner of this year’s World’s Ugliest Dog contest.

The pit bull-Dutch shepherd mix and his owner took the $1,500 prize Friday night, besting 25 other dogs competing in the contest that applauds imperfection, organizers said.

Quasi Modo was abandoned at an animal shelter before being adopted by a veterinarian in Loxahatchee, Florida, according to his biography posted on the contest’s website.

“My appearance can be a little unsettling to some (I have had grown men jump on top of their cars to get away from me because they thought I was a hyena or Tasmanian devil) but once they get to know me I win them over with my bubbly personality,” his biography said.
(Cont. Reading)
http://nypost.com/2015/06/27/this-hunchbacked-mutt-is-the-worlds-ugliest-dog/