Each day in animal shelters across the country, potential pet parents pass by kennels which contain adoptable black dogs. The result: black dogs are often the last to be adopted. To help our barking buddies with ebony fur, there is also a pet holiday which sheds light on their plight– National Black Dog Day.
Established by Celebrity Pet & Family Lifestyle Expert Colleen Paige, the first day in October has become an annual observance of the need to help black shelter dogs be seen.
Black Dog Syndrome
Disinterest in canines with dark coats is so common that the name Black Dog Syndrome has been coined to describe this sad situation.
Although recent statistics show that the tide is now starting to change for black dogs in shelters, there are still a number of reasons that hold dogs with dark fur back when it comes to finding a forever home, ranging from poorly lit shelters that make dark-coated canines in cages less noticeable and shelter photos that fail to capture a black dog’s striking features, to silly superstitions.
National Black Dog Day now holds a special meaning for us at DogTipper, as we welcomed Barli into our family in 2018!
In the words of author H. Jackson Brown, Jr., “Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye,” and this time you will notice the black tail thumping thanks to your attention, and the affection and hope in the dog’s gaze.