Bangkok: Every year on August 26th, the world celebrates "International Dog Day," an important day to honor and show love for dogs, pets known as "man's best friend."

According to Thai News Agency, World Dog Day was first established in the United States in 2004 by Colleen Paige, a pet lifestyle expert and animal rights activist. She created this day to commemorate the love, loyalty, patience, and pure friendship that dogs consistently offer their owners, as well as to raise awareness about stray dogs and the importance of adopting dogs from shelters.

Dogs are not just pets that bring smiles and happiness to families; they also play a vital role in helping and protecting humans in many ways. Security heroes, such as police and military dogs, possess incredible abilities to sniff out explosives and drugs, and help find survivors in various disaster situations. Additionally, guide dogs open up the world for the visually impaired, while therapy dogs help restore the mental well-being of patients and the elderly, making them feel warm and safe again. As ultimate family members, dogs provide unconditional love, help reduce stress and loneliness, and create positive interactions for everyone in the home.

Celebrating World Dog Day can be done in meaningful ways, such as taking your dog out for their favorite activities, adopting a dog from a shelter, or supporting animal welfare organizations through donations. On this World Dog Day, let's spread love and gratitude to our four-legged friends who are always by our side and make our world a better place every day.