National Dog Day: Celebrate these famous pooches on their big day
Every dog has its day. And, Aug. 26 is that day.
National Dog Day is upon us, and you probably know a dog who deserves a treat for being awesome. That means today they have earned two treats. It’s like New Year’s Eve for dogs, let them party!
All dogs could make this list. They’re all pretty great. But we made a list of 10 dogs who should be celebrated today. And every day.
So happy Dog Day, take naps, eat treats and do what man’s best friend would do.
Here are some notable dogs who should be honored:
Cujo
Before becoming a killer, he was a happy-go-lucky dog. Don’t blame him, blame the bat. Cujo was just looking to explore. Besides, how many dogs can truly say they’re a best seller? If his owners simply kept him on a leash, none of this would be a problem. Of course, then the movie would have been terrible, but still.
Brian Griffin
OK, we have another who has made the best-seller list. The talking dog on "Family Guy" kind of acts more like a cat. He thinks he’s better than everyone, he blames others for his mistakes, and he’s afraid of commitment. Dogs are not afraid of commitment. You never see them dropping people at the shelter! Still, he talks!
McGruff, the Crime Dog
This dog made me want to commit crime as a kid. I figured, since my parents didn’t let me have a dog, the best way to ensure one would come to my house was to steal something. The crime dog kept neighborhoods safe for years. That’s the definition of a good boy!
Clifford, the Big Red Dog
As a puppy, he was small. Then he grew into a huge dog. Had he been vicious, this would have been a problem, but since he was a happy boy, everything worked out great. My favorite animal rescue meme was a pic of him stating: “Clifford grew up to be the size of an elephant, and his family made it work. What’s your excuse for taking your dog to the shelter?” Makes ya think, huh?
Scooby Doo, Scrappy Doo
McGruff seemed to get by on intimidation. He was nice, but if you’re going to be investigated by a dog, I’d rather it be Scooby Doo and his nephew, who I think is the true star of the show. He’s also the only dog who can be considered a superhero, at least according to Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos, who said it during an MLB All Star game interview.
Snoopy
Nobody was cooler than Joe Cool, and if you watched the video of Charlie Brown seeing him for the first time, you’d understand why he’s so high on our list. Though he can be jerky at times, Snoopy typically has good intentions, and he takes care of his best friend Woodstock. That’s a good boy, Snoopy!
Spuds MacKenzie
Imagine being the spokesdog for a beer in the '80s? That dog had to have the greatest life known to man. He was the original party animal, and I remember being 9 years old thinking, “Boy, I can’t wait to drink so I can be cool like Spuds MacKenzie.” I was wrong. I do drink, but I never lived up to his standards. Not. Even. Close.
Air Bud
It’s not unusual for a dog to play ball. Go ahead and try it. Throw a ball, watch your dog go nuts. They love them. But Air Bud was different. He could hit open jumpers, and he never held out for more treats. He played for the love of the game. How can you not love a dog like that? Also, unlike my dog, he shared. You ever try getting a ball from a dog? It’s like trading in fantasy football.
Santa's Little Helper
Imagine being at the track on Christmas Eve, having no money for presents, your boy doesn’t even have a cool tattoo and you’re going home with nothing. Then, a Christmas miracle joins your family. Sure, he wasn’t the most behaved dog. He had little respect for Homer, and he ate Milhouse’s fish. That’s why he had the bowl, Bart! Still, Santa’s Little Helper was the perfect dog for the Simpsons.
Rowlf
All dogs are great. All Muppets are great. Plus, he can play the piano. Not much else needs to be said.
Aladdin
All of the dogs on this list were good dogs. All of them. But if you don’t know the story of Aladdin, you should. He was a therapy dog from South Jersey who had a horrible start to his life. Still, despite being starved and abused, he was the nicest dog you’d ever meet. He spent his days making people happy, children were his favorites, but he was involved in anti-animal abuse campaigns like Show Your Soft Side. Anyway, if Aladdin could make the world better, he did it. Sadly, he passed away last year, but his mom uses his legacy to continue to help out, both animals and people.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: National Dog Day: Best dogs in movies, cartoons, crime and real life
