Health, Beauty and Lifestyle with Denise McNamara

In case you missed it, August 26 was the day designated by American pet campaigner Colleen Paige to celebrate  the Canis lupus familiaris.  She picked the day –  adopted into New York State Legislation in 2013 – because it was when her family adopted her first dog from the local animal shelter when she was 10.

Its aim is to help people take better care of their pets and make more responsible choices when it comes to getting or looking after a dog and to raise awareness about the number of dogs in rescue centres and encourage their adoption.

The day also highlights the contributions of working dogs, such as those in the military, police, and service roles, and advocates improved conditions and rights for dogs worldwide.

Paige advocates against any kind of breed ban just as Ireland is set to introduce a ban on XL Bully dogs from October 1, which outlaws the importing, breeding, selling and re-homing of the breed. Although some dogs including German Shepherds and Rottweilers are restricted, this is the first ban of a dog breed in Ireland and follows the killing of Nicole Morey in Limerick by her own dog last June.

“Dogs should not have to lose their lives because of the atrocities they have been forced to endure at the hands of man,” she believes.

There are almost 400 breeds of domestic dog in the world today, with scientists believing they descend from the grey wolf (Canis lupus), a theory since debunked in favour of evidence saying it was from an unknown and extinct wolf.

What scientists do not know is what inspired hunter-gatherers to allow a large, wild carnivore into the family homestead sometime between 32,000 and 18,800 years ago – the first domesticated species on earth.

Whatever their origins, there’s no doubt they have become beloved members of the modern family.

Pictured: Our beloved pooch Bella in her Mufasa pose at Keel beach on Achill Island.