Prepare to treat your pooch even better than usual August 26 — it’s the 11th Annual National Dog Day, a holiday intended to encourage people to recognise the number of dogs needing to be rescued, as well as to honour pups who save lives, keep us safe and bring us comfort.

National Dog Day was created in 2004 by pet lifestyle expert and author Colleen Paige. Since then, it’s been celebrated each year on August 26.

“I founded National Dog Day to honour dogs, to give them a ‘day’ to show our deep appreciation for the historical connection of companionship with one another,” Paige says on the official National Dog Day website. “For their endearing patience, unquestioning loyalty, for their work protecting our streets, homes and families as police K-9s, military working dogs, guide dogs and therapy dogs.”

She was inspired by her rescue dog, Sailor, who “was tortured and starved when I found her in the shelter at 7 months old, and she taught me what unconditional love and trust really meant.”

The National Dog Day website has 20 suggestions for ways to celebrate with your pooch, such as buying him a new toy, throwing a party and/or teaching him a new trick.

If you don’t have a dog, you are asked to donate €5 to your favourite rescue or shelter. And whether or not you have a pooch, you can also celebrate by spending some quality time August 26 (or better yet, any day) visiting the lonely dogs at your local shelter.

I wish you and your pooch(es) a very Happy National Dog Day!