Hug Your Hound: Celebrating the Dogs We Love and Remembering the Ones We’ve Lost

September 13 is Hug Your Hound Day!

There are some things our dogs will never understand about the calendar.

They don't know what day it is. They don't know it's September., and they certainly don't know that today is a day set aside to celebrate them.

But they do know when we sit beside them.

They know the sound of our voice, the routine of our footsteps, the feeling of our hand on their head, and the comfort of simply being together.

So today, hug your hound. ❤️

And while we're celebrating the dogs who are beside us, September 13 is also a beautiful opportunity to remember the dogs who are no longer here.

The Dogs Who Leave Paw Prints on Our Hearts

For many of us, dogs aren't simply pets. They are part of our everyday lives — our walking buddies, adventure partners, couch companions, morning greeters and constant sources of unconditional love.

That's why losing a dog can be incredibly difficult.

The American Veterinary Medical Association recognizes that pet loss can bring significant grief and emphasizes that there is no “right” way or timeline for grieving a beloved animal. The relationship we have with our pets is meaningful, and that loss deserves to be acknowledged.

If you've ever lost a dog, you know that sometimes it's the little things that bring the memories rushing back:

Their favorite sleeping spot.

The sound of their tags.

The way they greeted you at the door.

The walk you used to take together.

The empty space where their bed used to be.

Those memories don't have to disappear just because our dogs do.

Can Dogs Grieve Too?

Interestingly, our surviving dogs may experience changes after losing a canine companion or a person they were closely bonded with.

According to the American Kennel Club, dogs experiencing loss may show behavioral changes such as decreased appetite, lethargy, withdrawal, increased clinginess, searching for their companion, or changes in their normal activity level. Every dog responds differently, and there isn't one predictable timeline for canine grief.

One of the most helpful things we can provide is consistency.

Keep familiar routines when possible. Offer affection and reassurance. Give your dog opportunities for gentle activity and positive interaction. And if significant or persistent changes occur — especially loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea or pronounced lethargy — it's important to talk with your veterinarian rather than assuming everything is simply grief.

Sometimes, taking care of the dog who is still beside you can be part of taking care of yourself, too.

Remembering a Dog Who Has Crossed the Rainbow Bridge

There isn't a single “right” way to memorialize a pet.

Some families create a photo album. Others keep a favorite collar, create a memorial stone, plant a tree or flowers, hold a small ceremony, or make a donation to an animal organization in their dog's name.

The AKC notes that memorializing a dog can be a meaningful part of processing grief and celebrating the life you shared.

And sometimes, the simplest memorial is the most meaningful:

Tell their story.

Talk about the goofy things they used to do.

Share your favorite photo.

Take the walk you used to take together.

Say their name.

Remember the adventures.

Remember the love.

Because a dog may leave your home, but that doesn't mean they leave your life.

Hug Your Hound Today

If your dog is curled up beside you right now, give them an extra hug.

Take an extra minute on your walk.

Scratch that spot they love.

Tell them they're a good dog, even if they already know.

And if your best friend is waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge, take a moment to remember them, too.

At Bend Barks & Rec, we're lucky enough to meet so many wonderful dogs and their people. Every pup has a different personality, a different story and a different place in someone's heart.

Today, we're celebrating all of them.

The dogs beside us.

The dogs who came before them.

And the paw prints they leave behind.

🐾 Hug your hound. Remember your best friend. And never underestimate the impact one dog can have on a life.

Every day is a good day for a walk.

Until next week!

-Bend Barks & Rec

Now serving the Bend area, including Redmond and Sunriver.