Advertisement
Christmas Special - Get your first 12 issues for just £12
SUBSCRIBE
News

International Dog Day: Big Issue readers share their favourite dog memories and snaps

International Dog Day celebrates the bond between humans and their four-legged friends. Here are some of your stories.

International Dog Day

Big Issue readers shared their favourite dog memories and snaps with us. Image: Supplied

It’s International Dog Day! This event – marked on 26 August each year – celebrates the life-affirming bond between humans and their four-legged friends.

Dogs give us unconditional love and loyalty, provide company and comfort, yet ask for very little in return.

They are essential companions to Big Issue vendors across the UK, offering vital support and company as vendors earn a living through selling the magazine.

To celebrate International Dog Day 2023, we asked readers to tell us what their canine family members mean to them.

Pete B shouted out Bramble, his Lakeland Terrier and a “pioneering canine paddleboarder”.

Bramble. Image: Pete B

“Bramble has been an indispensable part of our family life these past 11 years having found her to cure our kids’ fear of dogs,” he said.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Other readers remembered the pets that they have lost. Lynne Marsters paid tribute to Flash, who passed away at age 14 last year.

Flash. Image: Lynne Marsters

Your support changes lives. Find out how you can help us help more people by signing up for a subscription

“My husband didn’t want a dog really. Almost 15 wonderful years of this funny, loving, stubborn, greedy, mischievous dog made him a dog lover,” she said.

“He broke his heart the day we had him put to sleep. He adores our other two dogs.”

The relationship between dogs and humans is special, which is why they become such an essential part of our lives.

Brody. Credit: @72_Jake

“Brody – my boy. I spent 50 years of my life not really understanding the attraction of dogs having always been a cat person,” wrote @72_Jake.

“I have a good life and he has enhanced it beyond my wildest dreams.” 

Elizabeth Corkhill echoed this sentiment, describing her “beautiful wee stinker Ruby” as “life-enhancing”.

Ruby. Image: Elizabeth Corkhill

International Dog Day was created in 2004 by animal advocate Colleen Paige. Paige chose 26 August as it was the date that her family adopted their first dog ‘Sheltie’ from a shelter.

Romanian rescue adopted by Doug Small. Image: Doug Small

This annual day is now celebrated around the world – including by Big Issue readers.

Get the latest news and insight into how the Big Issue magazine is made by signing up for the Inside Big Issue newsletter

“Harry is a loyal furry friend who brings a smile to my face just by being his adorable self,” said Leoni from Tel Aviv.

Harry. Image: Leoni, Tel Aviv

“Whenever I’m in need of a cuddle, this big boy is right by my side to brighten my day.”

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? We want to hear from you. Get in touch and tell us more.

Advertisement

Change a vendor's life this Christmas

This Christmas, 3.8 million people across the UK will be facing extreme poverty. Thousands of those struggling will turn to selling the Big Issue as a vital source of income - they need your support to earn and lift themselves out of poverty.

Recommended for you

View all
How Labour's new Skills England can save the construction industry and fix the housing crisis
Housing

How Labour's new Skills England can save the construction industry and fix the housing crisis

Could these £50,000, eco-friendly tiny homes be the answer to the UK's housing crisis?
Concept CGi for what Tiny Homes may look like.
Tiny homes

Could these £50,000, eco-friendly tiny homes be the answer to the UK's housing crisis?

Warm home discount loophole means pensioners on benefits could miss out on £150 of help
Big Issue vendor Michael Turner in Bristol
Energy bills

Warm home discount loophole means pensioners on benefits could miss out on £150 of help

'This is the dream': These Londoners built their own homes to beat sky-high house prices
Couple Ahmad Dayes and Lisa de Liema built their own home to beat London house prices
Housing

'This is the dream': These Londoners built their own homes to beat sky-high house prices

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know