The best therapist has fur and four legs.

There is no doubt that a dog is the most loyal and unconditional friend a human can ever get. Today is the best day to have a cuddle with your dog and show some love to your buddy. Why?

It is the “Hug your Dog Day!!!”

Human-Canine relationship has been evolving strong for centuries, from the ancestors growing closer with dogs over hunting and sledding, to being the best companion and therapist of humans.

Hug your dog day was first established by a well-known dog lover, Ami Moore in 2008. She has been involved in many activities related to training and rehabilitating dogs using occupational therapy. She desired to make the world more dog friendly by honouring dogs for their unconditional love and loyal companionship.

Her efforts have made the unconditional lovers receive showers of love from their loved ones. This day is specially celebrated with therapy dogs and security service dogs, who work their best to serve human companions.

“Petting, scratching and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation, and almost as good for the soul as prayer.” – Dean Koontz

This special day can be celebrated with our canine partners not only by hugging but also with many other lovely things. It is scientifically proven that hugging releases the “love hormone”, oxytocin in both the human and the dog, which makes both of them happy.

Also going for a walk together, a meal with your dog’s favourite foods, playing, running, swimming and any other thing that makes your dog happy can be done to show them the love they deserve. However, just the presence of the owner will be able to make a dog happy.

If you are a dog lover but not a dog owner, today is the best day to adopt a furball into your family.

For humans, a dog might be a part of their life, just another loved one in life. But for a dog, the whole universe revolves around its owner. Just a little act of kindness and love from loved ones will brighten their short lives a lot.

Although these unconditional lovers deserve a cuddle every day, let’s dedicate this special day to strengthening the bond and honouring their loyalty, companionship, and love.

“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” – Roger Caras

Design by : Pramodya Madushani

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