Discussing The Holiday That Celebrates And Honors Blind Dogs Everywhere
August 23rd is widely acknowledged and celebrated for being International Blind Dog Day! Never heard of International Blind Dog Day? No worries because My Dog Walker & Pet Sitting has you covered! This article will cover everything you need to know about International Blind Dog Day and how you can get involved. It will also discuss why dogs go blind, how to help blind dogs, and where you can adopt one.
How It Started
International Blind Dog Day was originally founded in 2017 by Sarah Horne. Sarah Horne is a well-known author and illustrator for children’s books. She has been writing/illustrating for over 15 years and has written over 45 books as of 2023. In 2017, Sarah adopted a blind dog named Shammy. She quickly fell in love with Shammy and wanted to raise awareness about blind dogs and how wonderful they are.
Soon after adopting Shammy, Sarah founded International Blind Dog Day. Sadly, Shammy passed away as of June 5th, 2023. Although Shammy is gone, his legacy lives on through International Blind Dog Day. The unbreakable bond between Shammy and Sarah laid the foundation for this wonderful holiday that aims to help blind dogs everywhere. Click here to check out Shammy’s Instagram.
Why Have A Holiday For Blind Dogs?
The aim of International Blind Dog Day is to appreciate and raise awareness about blind dogs in general. What many people don’t realize is that blind dogs can do all of the same activities that regular dogs can do. Blind dogs can run, jump, play, and snuggle just as well as any other dog. Many people are reluctant to adopt a blind dog, or any special needs dog, because they think the dog would require too much effort/care.
While Blind dogs do need a little more care than your typical dog, the difference in miniscule. Dogs have an incredible sense of smell and hearing that more than make up for loss of sight. International Blind Dog Day reminds us that blind dogs are just as loving and caring as any other dog and shouldn’t be passed up just because of their disability.
Why Do Dogs Go Blind?
Dogs can go blind for a wide variety of reasons, just like people. Blindness in dogs often results from injuries, cataracts, disease, and sometimes genetics. Additionally, some dogs can even be born blind as a result of breeding certain dog breeds together. Regardless of how dogs become blind, they are exceptionally adaptable. As previously mentioned, dogs have an incredible sense of smell & hearing that allows them to navigate the world fairly well even without their vision.
The Importance Of The Holiday
International Blind Dog Day is a very important holiday for all forms of special needs dogs everywhere. Innovet pet products reports that there are an estimated 300,000 dogs in the U.S. that are diagnosed with blindness. This is a shockingly high number that most people don’t appreciate. The truth is, these dogs need a good home and there aren’t enough people willing to adopt them. International Blind Dog Day aims to change this. On August 23rd, pet lovers all over the world are celebrating and appreciating blind dogs for who they are, not what they are.
How You Can Get Involved
There are several different ways you can get involved with International Blind Dog Day on August 23rd. The best way to celebrate is to adopt a blind dog! Caring for a special needs dog is a very enriching and rewarding experience that will truly humble you and make you appreciate dogs for who they are.
If adoption isn’t a viable option for you, then you can also support the Blind Dog Rescue Alliance (BDRA). The B.D.R.A. helps promote blind dogs that are up for adoption or fostering. They also offer resources and networking opportunities for blind dog owners. They are always looking for volunteers or donations to further help the cause.
Lastly, you can promote International Blind Dog Day by posting about it on social media. By spreading the word about International Blind Dog Day, you are educating people about the value of blind dogs everywhere. The more people that know about this mainz holiday, the more people that can get involved.
Hire A Pet Sitter Today!
If you or someone you know is looking for a pet sitter or dog walker, then look no further than My Dog Walker & Pet Sitting. We are fully insured & bonded and have over 10 years of experience working with animals. We offer a variety of pet sitting services including in-home pet sitting and routine dog walking. My Dog Walker & Pet Sitting currently services the Medford, Medford Lakes, Shamong, and Tabernacle, NJ areas. Click here to check out our services. To become a client, click here or give us a call at 856-217-2781. We hope to hear from you soon and happy International Blind Dog Day!