National Dog Day is Sunday Aug. 26

It may seem like every day is a holiday for canines in Decatur and Avondale Estates. People around here dote on their pooches. If you don't believe that, check out the Patch Pets and Their People page for the Decatur/Avondale Estates Patch.

Folks love their pooches in Stone Mountain, too. Rescue groups such as Atlanta Animal Rescue Friends and Adopt A Greyhound try to find good homes for dogs (and cats), provide training classes and socialization opportunities.

Be aware that Sunday, Aug. 26 is something special: National Dog Day. That's the day animal advocate Colleen Paige has designated for honoring all those dogs who bring in the paper, and all those dogs who are neglected.

Not to be confused with National Mutt Day (Dec. 2), National Puppy Day (March 23) or National Pet Day (April 11), each of the 19 national and international pet days founded by Paige are all designed with one thing in mind: to draw attention to the need for pet rescue.

Paige, author, pet behaviorist and self proclaimed "pet celebrity lifestyle expert" founded the Animal Miracle Foundation and Network (AMFN), a nonprofit Christian faith based charity, in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. Since 2004 Paige says that National Dog Day has rescued 100,000 dogs and has now spread its efforts worldwide.

"We will never meet a human who will love us without condition, without expectation, without someone, at some point, disappointing us, breaking our heart..." Paige said, "Dogs will never do this to us. They are steadfast.... and short, fat, tall, skinny, any race, any religion, there is no discrimination - we are perfect in their eyes. They deserve so much more than they get."

Paige dubbed the holiday a K-9 Fourth of July and asks pet lovers to celebrate by adopting a shelter dog, helping an ill or elderly neighbor by walking their dog, or with a $5 donation to a local shelter. But that's just three of National Dog Day's 50 Ways to Celebrate.

Here are some local dog-loving organizations:

(AARF)

LifeLine Animal Project

PAWS Atlanta.

Atlanta Humane Society.

Atlanta Pet Rescue and Adoption.

Georgia Dog Rescue Inc.

Athens Canine Rescue 

Second Chance Animal Rescue and Adoptions

Briarcliff Animal Foundation

Kanine Kids

Pet Orphans and Adoptions

Ruffus Rescue

SmallDog Rescue and Humane Society, Inc.

No More Homeless Pets Atlanta Spay/Neuter Clinic

Gwinnett Animal Welfare / Enforcement

Gwinnett Humane Society

This article first appeared on Decatur Patch.