Black Dog Day

George, a little black dog from the streets of Hungary. Today, he wants to remind you that black dogs are delightful, fun, and loving companions, no matter their breed or size.

Did you know that black dogs are harder to home than any other colour?

Advocates believe there is such a thing as black dog syndrome – when black dogs are passed over for adoption in favour of lighter-coloured animals.

They note that black dogs tend not to stand out as much in kennels, and potential adopters are more likely to pass them by. Their photos are also less popular online, often requiring special lighting and effort to capture their features – believe me, being an amateur phone-only “photographer” it is seldom that I get good photos of George. There’s also a misconception that black dogs lack the distinctive, quirky appeal that lighter-coloured dogs possess.

That’s why National Black Dog Day was founded by Colleen Paige, a renowned pet expert and animal welfare advocate to combat the stigma and encourage the adoption of black dogs.

Celebrated annually on October 1st, National Black Dog Day aims to highlight the joy black dogs can bring into our lives. It’s a day to learn about, celebrate, and love black dogs as much as they deserve. It encourages people to open their hearts and homes to these often-overlooked companions who are just as loving and deserving of a forever home.

Perhaps it was fate that George, the little black dog, was the only one left unspoken for when the transporter van was set to leave the shelter in Hungary for the UK. Ironically, I had my heart set on a white cockapoo girl. His initial misfortune turned into a blessing. Because, I fell in love with George—the complete opposite of what I thought I wanted.

But as we’ve learned, the Universe often knows what we need, rather than what we think we want.