National Dog Day: Honoring Second Chances and the Big Dogs Who Deserve Them

Every year on August 26, National Dog Day celebrates the love, loyalty, and incredible impact dogs have on our lives. But it’s more than just a day to post cute photos (though we’re always here for that)—it’s a day to raise awareness, promote adoption, and honor the dogs whose stories are still waiting to be rewritten.

At The Big Damn Dog Co., this day hits close to home.

Lucy Had Just 12 Hours Left

Our story started with one dog—Lucy, a 120-pound Great Dane who was surrendered to a shelter at just a year old. She wasn’t getting adopted. The shelter environment was terrifying—loud, stressful, and overwhelming. And time was running out.

What we didn’t know then was that a rescue reached out to the shelter just 12 hours before Lucy was scheduled to be euthanized. They stepped in at the eleventh hour and gave her a chance. They placed her with a foster family, and for the first time, her personality came out. She lit up. She started acting like herself again.

It’s thanks to that rescue—and the foster family we now call her godparents—that Lucy even had a shot at adoption.

We were just the lucky ones who showed up first.

Why We Built the #AdoptTheBigOnesFund

Lucy’s story isn’t unique—and that’s exactly the problem.

Big dogs are often overlooked in shelters. They’re harder to place. They cost more to feed. They’re labeled “too much” before they even have a chance to show who they are.

That’s why we created the #AdoptTheBigOnesFund.

It exists to support giant breed dogs in rescue—providing essential joint supplements, transitional care, and financial donations to help more dogs like Lucy get their second chance. Because we believe every big dog deserves more than what the pet industry—and the shelter system—has been giving them.

We’re just getting started—and we know we can change lives, one big dog at a time.

This National Dog Day, You Can Help

Whether you’ve rescued, fostered, adopted, or simply shared a post that led a dog to a forever home—you’re part of this movement.

Here’s how you can help today:

• 📣 Spread the word — Share rescue stories. Encourage adoption. Raise awareness.
• 🐾 Celebrate your own gentle giant — Post a photo and tag us so we can cheer them on too.
• 🖤 Support the #AdoptTheBigOnesFund — Every purchase on our site and donation sent helps us give back.

This National Dog Day, we’re honoring the dogs whose stories didn’t end in a shelter—and the people who made that possible.

Let’s keep showing up—and speaking out—for the big ones who still need saving.