National Dog Day Time to Celebrate the Joy and Loyalty of Our Furry Friends

At most dog parks, dogs run freely, reveling in the excitement of an open space to explore with new furry friends. Even the gentlest pups find their wild side, using every bit of energy in the green, safe environment.

But not Rocky.

Our toy poodle, Rocky, always took a different approach. During trips to the neighborhood dog park, he would calmly circle the walkway, content but careful, keeping to the path. My teenage daughter used to joke that Rocky looked like he was on his way to Starbucks for a latte and a newspaper—so dignified and determined. It’s fitting that, almost 20 years later, those same qualities marked his final moments.

This past February, at the age of 18, Rocky passed away. Like so many others, I’ve experienced the profound pain of losing a beloved family member. Saying goodbye to Rocky was incredibly difficult, but the time we had with him enriched our lives in ways we’ll never forget.

Sadly, not everyone appreciates the commitment that comes with caring for an animal once the initial excitement wears off. Dogs are often hailed as man’s (or woman’s) best friend, but too often, we fail to live up to that title.

National Dog Day is coming up on Monday, a time to reflect on both the joys and the challenges of pet ownership. Dogs offer unconditional love, but they also require dedication and responsibility.

In the U.S., nearly 87 million homes—66% of households—have pets, and 65.1 million of those households have a dog. Yet every year, 3.1 million dogs enter shelters, many of them abandoned or surrendered by the very people who were supposed to care for them. Rocky was one of those dogs. I’ll never understand why someone gave him up, but their loss was our gain.

At just eight months old, Rocky came into our lives after being abandoned and mistreated. He was wary of anything that resembled a stick, and we quickly learned to be cautious when sweeping, mopping, or even wrapping gifts with long tubes. The responsibility of earning his trust was immense, but so were the rewards. Poodles are known for their intelligence and charm, and Rocky embodied all of that and more. He was curious, affectionate, and—above all—safe with us.

When my son was diagnosed with autism, he was initially hesitant around dogs, finding their unpredictability overwhelming. But Rocky’s calm demeanor made him easy to bond with, showing once again how deeply a well-cared-for dog can transform a family.