Hey {{first_name}}Dog Parent,💌

There’s something special about opening your door and being greeted by a dog whose whole body wiggles with joy just because you’re home. Today, we’re celebrating the dogs who often come with the biggest hearts, the funniest quirks, and the most unforgettable stories.

It’s National Mutt Day, a holiday created to honor mixed-breed pups and shine a light on the millions of incredible dogs in shelters waiting for someone to choose them. They may not come with fancy papers or a polished pedigree, but they come with something better: loyalty, love, and a kind of gratitude that you can feel the moment they curl up beside you.

Whether your dog is a rescue, a stray-turned-family, or a mystery mix whose ancestry surprises you every time, today is their day. So let’s celebrate the mutts who change lives just by being themselves.

Walk into any shelter and you’ll notice something right away. Most of the faces pressed softly against the kennel doors belong to mixed-breed dogs. Some young, some old, some timid, some bursting with energy.

Many of them have lived harder stories than we’ll ever know. Yet they greet strangers with hopeful eyes like, “Could you be mine?”

Mixed breeds often fall behind purebreds when it comes to adoption. But here’s the truth:

💛 They’re just as smart
💛 Just as trainable
💛 Just as capable of loyalty and love
💛 And sometimes even healthier because of their diverse genetics

Their features may be a mystery, and their past might be complicated, but their ability to love is crystal clear. If you’ve adopted a mutt, you know exactly what I mean. If you haven’t yet, today is a beautiful reminder that your next best friend might be waiting in a shelter right now.

You don’t need a big plan. Simple moments matter most to our dogs. Try one or two of these easy ways to make your pup feel extra loved today:

🎾 Give them their favorite activity.
Whether it’s fetch, a slow sniff walk, or a couch-and-movie night, spend time doing what they enjoy most.

📸 Snap a “Happy Mutt Day” photo.
Share your favorite moment with our community. Mixed-breed dogs come in all shapes and personalities, and we love to see every single one.

🛁 Pamper session.
A warm bath, a gentle brush, or a fresh bandana can make them feel like a star.

🍖 Cook a special homemade treat.
A small batch of dog-safe pupcakes or a simple turkey-and-pumpkin bowl can make their tail spin with happiness.

Even ordinary moments become special when your dog knows they matter.

There’s a unique kind of bond that forms when a dog has been through uncertainty and finally realizes they’re home for good. You see it in the way they watch you. The way they follow you from room to room. The way they sigh when they finally fall asleep at your feet.

Many mutts carry old stories in their eyes. But love has a way of rewriting those stories one soft day at a time.

If your dog had a rough start, take a moment today to remind yourself of something important:

You changed their life.
And they changed yours too.

You didn’t just adopt a dog. You offered safety, belonging, and a place to heal. That’s something worth celebrating today and every day.

Mixed-breed dogs often come with the biggest hearts and the most unforgettable stories. Many of them started life with uncertainty or spent time in shelters before finding their forever home. And once they choose you, they love you with every bit of who they are.

That kind of love deserves protection.
Real, everyday protection that keeps them safe no matter where life takes you both.

Here are two simple, powerful tools that give dog parents peace of mind — especially for the rescue pups and mystery mixes we celebrate today.

A nametag might seem small, but it can mean everything when a dog gets scared or slips out unexpectedly.

Mixed-breed pups are curious, clever, and sometimes a little too brave for their own good. If they wander a bit too far, a clear nametag helps them get back to you quickly.

It’s an easy way to keep your mutt safe in moments you don’t plan for, like:

A nametag gives you peace of mind, and it gives your dog a better chance of coming home fast.

If your mutt has lived through unknown chapters before finding you, you know how important it feels to keep them safe now.

Emergency stickers let first responders know your dog is inside your home, so they aren’t overlooked in a fire, evacuation, or medical call. It’s one of those quiet safety steps that can make all the difference when time is tight.

They offer:

It’s the kind of thing you hope is never needed, but you’ll be glad it’s there.

Did you know that mixed-breed dogs make up more than 80 percent of shelter populations nationwide?

Despite that, they’re often the slowest to get adopted because their lineage and traits aren’t as predictable.

But shelter staff will tell you this: mutts often surprise you in the best ways. Their personalities shine through the moment they feel safe.

National Mutt Day is a celebration of the dogs who made their way into our homes and changed our hearts for good. If you’re looking for something thoughtful for your pup or a gift for another dog parent, our store has a collection of favorites chosen by people who love dogs just as much as you do.

Everything.
Every category.
Every favorite.

Warm apparel, tumblers, accessories, holiday gifts, all at once-a-year pricing.

Whether you grab one small thing or treat yourself to a full haul, consider it a celebration of the love your dog brings into your life. A little “thank you” from you to them.

“What has my dog taught me this year?”

Write it down. Share it with someone. Or whisper it into your dog’s ear as they rest their head on your lap. Gratitude feels different when it’s shared with a heart that loves unconditionally.

Share your story with us, tag us @usadogowners and use USADogOwnersAssociation for a chance to be featured in our next newsletter.

📧 Share our free Dog Owner Insider Newsletter and join a growing community of dog lovers just like you!

Whether your mutt came into your life by chance or choice, one thing is clear.

They’re part of your story now. And you’re part of theirs.

Give them an extra cuddle tonight.

Tell them they’re special.

And if you have room in your heart and home, consider visiting a shelter this week. Your next chapter might be waiting behind a kennel door.

Wags & gratitude,
Mark
USA Dog Owners Association
Because every dog deserves to feel their best. And so do you. 🐾

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