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Where and how to celebrate

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Arthur Towles gives his English bulldog, Kane, a frozen dog treat during an event where rapper and community activist Trae Tha Truth handed out the treats as part of Trae Day weekend at the dog park in Market Square Park on Thursday, July 20, 2023 in Houston. Trae Day Weekend has expanded from Trae Day, established on July 22 by former Houston Mayor Bill White in 2008, to a series of charitable community events spanning several days. Some of the events include gas card giveaways, trampoline park takeover, celebrity kickball game, concerts and a family festival.

Arthur Towles gives his English bulldog, Kane, a frozen dog treat during an event where rapper and community activist Trae Tha Truth handed out the treats as part of Trae Day weekend at the dog park in Market Square Park on Thursday, July 20, 2023 in Houston. Trae Day Weekend has expanded from Trae Day, established on July 22 by former Houston Mayor Bill White in 2008, to a series of charitable community events spanning several days. Some of the events include gas card giveaways, trampoline park takeover, celebrity kickball game, concerts and a family festival.

Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer

Saturday is National Dog Dads Day, a new holiday celebrating fathers who treat their pets like children.

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What is National Dog Dads Day?

Celebrated the day before Father’s Day, National Dog Dads Day honors men of all ages who are proud pet parents.

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Adam Iglowski poses his dog
Adam Iglowski poses his dog “Buttercup” for a photo on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at Mod Coffeehouse in Galveston.Jon Shapley/Staff Photographer

The national holiday aims to strengthen the unique bond between dogs and their male owners by prioritizing time spent together.

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When is National Dog Dads Day?

National Dog Dads Day is celebrated every year the day before Father’s Day. This year, the celebration will take place on June 15.

How did National Dog Dads Day start?

The party was created in June 2021 by Ashley Bercaw. Although not a dog father, Bercaw saw the need to honor the special relationship between men and their canine companions.

Levi Johnson carries his dog, Dally, down the street as they return home after snow and ice covered the Houston metro area on Feb. 15, 2021, in Kingwood.

Levi Johnson carries his dog, Dally, down the street as they return home after snow and ice covered the Houston metro area on Feb. 15, 2021, in Kingwood. “We went out for a walk, she went about two blocks and just stopped,” Johnson said. “So I just looked for her, thought we’d come back.” She’s pretty cold.

Jason Fochtman/Staff Photographer

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How are you celebrating National Dog Dads Day?

National Dog Dads Day is all about celebrating dogs who feel like kids.

Igor's owner, Mika Barzilay, not pictured, puts eclipse glasses on the sleeping dog for a photo while waiting for the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024 at Zilker Metropolitan Park in Austin. The couple with Barzilay's friend left Houston at 4 a.m. to watch the eclipse.
Igor’s owner, Mika Barzilay, not pictured, puts eclipse glasses on the sleeping dog for a photo while waiting for the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024 at Zilker Metropolitan Park in Austin. The couple, accompanied by Barzilay’s friend, left Houston at 4 a.m. to observe the eclipse.Yi-Chin Lee/Staff Photographer

This can be done in different ways, such as taking a long walk, preparing a dog-friendly treat, or giving your dog a new chew toy.

Another way to celebrate the holidays is to take your dog to a local dog park, like the Johnny Steele Dog Park at Buffalo Bayou Park or the Millie Bush Dog Park. If parks aren’t your thing, try a dog-friendly bar like Powder Keg in Spring Branch Village.

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Two dogs enjoy playing in the water at Johnny Steele Dog Park on April 3, 2024 in Houston, Texas.
Two dogs enjoy playing in the water at Johnny Steele Dog Park on April 3, 2024 in Houston, Texas.Jill Karnicki/Staff Photographer

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Is there a National Dog Mom Day?

Yes, National Dog Moms Day is celebrated every year on the second Saturday in May, before Mother’s Day. The party was founded in 2018 by “Dig,” a dating site for dog lovers. The next National Dog Mom Day will be celebrated on May 10, 2025.

Similar to National Dog Dad Day, this holiday honors the special bond between women and their four-legged friends.

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Dog kisses from lab mix Bear are always welcome as Cindy Crump spends time rocking in her favorite chair on Monday, April 29, 2024, to rest, relax and relive the stresses of her day.
Dog kisses from lab mix Bear are always welcome as Cindy Crump spends time rocking in her favorite chair on Monday, April 29, 2024, to rest, relax and relive the stresses of her day.Kirk Sides/Staff Photographer

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What other days are there to celebrate dogs?

There are more than 150 holidays throughout the year that aim to celebrate pets, including National Love Your Pet Day on February 20 and National Cat Day on October 29.

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