National Black Dog Day: 10 Things Only a Black Dog Parent Knows

Black dog parents, this is your roll call.

Today is National Black Dog Day. If you live with a black lab, a black shepherd, a black poodle, a black pittie, or a black dog of no breed at all, today belongs to you. Stand up. Say your dog's name out loud. Your dog won't take a bow, but they'll check your hands for snacks.

Black dogs are the best. We said it. Here are ten things only a black dog parent knows. Count how many are you.

10 things only a black dog parent knows

1. Black fur shows up on everything. Your white couch has a story. Your lint roller works a full time job.
2. You've taken forty photos, and thirty-nine look like a cute shadow. Black fur soaks up light, so eyes and noses can disappear. The fix is below.
3. Nobody can see your dog in the dark. Night walks need a plan. That's below too.
4. The shine is unreal. In the right sunshine, a black coat looks like a polished piano.
5. Your dog goes with every outfit. Red collar, yellow bandana, pink sweater, plaid. All of it pops.
6. The sun hits different. Dark coats soak up warmth, so your dog may heat up faster on a sunny day. Shade and water are your friends.
7. Some people still judge a dog by color. Your dog just keeps wagging anyway, mostly at those people.
8. The first gray hairs on the muzzle hit you right in the heart. On a black dog, they stand out like frosting. It's the sweetest sign of a life well loved.
9. The zoomies look the same as any other dog's. Black dogs are just as silly. Don't let the serious face fool you.
10. They're first to the door and last to leave your side. Okay, that part's every dog. It's still true.

How to get the photo

Every black dog parent needs this one. A few small changes turn a shadow into a star.

• Shoot in open shade or on a cloudy day. Bright noon sun makes harsh spots on dark fur.
• Pick a light background. Green grass, a tan wall, or a gray sidewalk makes a dark dog pop. A dark couch makes your dog disappear.
• Get down to eye level. Sit on the ground and let your dog's face fill the picture.
• Skip the flash. It makes eyes glow and flattens the fur. Window light works much better.
• Brighten the picture a little. On most phones, tap your dog's face, then slide the brightness up.

Night walks: help your black dog be seen

Days are getting shorter, and the clocks fall back on November 1. That means more walks in the dark. A black dog in the dark is very hard for drivers and bike riders to spot. A few small things make a big safety difference.

• Use a reflective or light-up collar
• Clip a small LED light to the collar or harness
• Pick a bright or reflective leash
• Stick to lit sidewalks and streets
• Keep your dog close on the leash near roads

The roll call reward

Photo day deserves a treat. Gone Bananas has seven organic ingredients: organic oat flour, organic brown rice flour, organic banana, organic flax seed, organic egg, organic cinnamon, and organic banana flavor. Break off a small piece and hold it just above the camera. Your dog's eyes lock right on, and you get the shot. They get the snack. Everybody wins.

If you're thinking about adopting

Shelters are full of wonderful black dogs. Dark dogs are hard to photograph, and many people choose a dog from a picture online, so a clear, bright photo helps any dog get noticed.

Your black dog day checklist

• Say your dog's name out loud
• Take one great photo in open shade
• Check your dog's collar and leash for night walks
• Give a small piece of a treat they love

"Black dogs aren't shadows. They're the light of the whole house."

with love, Ava