5 Ways to Celebrate Your Rescue Dog on DOGust 1st

July 29, 2025
By: Adriana Valle

Dogust, the Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs, is observed annually on August 1st. It is the perfect excuse to shower your adopted best friend, who may not have a known birthday, with joy, treats, and new adventures. Today, I’m sharing my top 5 ways to celebrate your rescue dog on Dogust 1st. I love the idea that rescue dogs, whose history we often don’t know, get this special day to call their own!

sweet luna's shop in Old Saybrook, CTIce Cream Outing at Sweet Luna’s

Treat your pup to a celebratory ice cream at Sweet Lunas, a beloved local spot where many pet parents bring their dogs for a frozen treat. Inspired by a black lab named Luna, Sweet Luna’s is family and pet-friendly. Plus, the weather outside is perfect for a frozen dessert. Located right on Main Street in Old Saybrook, nothing says summer like a stroll over to Sweet Luna’s.

Shopping at The Feed Bag

For dogs that don’t need the extra calories or are on a special diet, visit to The Feed Bag to pick out a puzzle toy or snuffle mat that will not only enrich your dog’s mind, but also give them a lasting birthday gift. Puzzles and snuffle mats satisfy their natural instincts by engaging their senses and keeping them mentally stimulated when you’re not home. Don’t forget to grab up some freeze-dried single ingredient treats like Totally Hook’d freeze-dried whole minnows or herring. Sounds gross to us but the dogs love ’em!

dog rolling on grass near CT Shoreline beachSwimming at the Beach

A beach day at one of the Connecticut Shoreline’s dog-welcoming coastlines, such as Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, CT, or Jennings Beach in Fairfield, CT, offers your beloved rescue a chance to enjoy off-leash play, swimming, and socializing with other pups. A beach day can be a joyful outdoor celebration that both you and your dog will treasure, assuming your dog likes to swim and is comfortable with other dogs. Remember to read all beach rules and keep your dog on his or her leash until you’re sure they are allowed off-leash.

dog on a hiking adventure with Shoreline Happy PawsDog Walks & Adventures with Shoreline Happy Paws

Sign your rescued bestie up for a dog walk or dog hiking adventure with Shoreline Happy Paws. Our experienced, caring team personalizes outdoor excursions for stimulation and exercise, letting dogs of all ages and fitness levels safely explore the world and make new friends. We are match dogs with the right group or walk them individually if they are better suited to solo adventures. No matter what you choose, your rescue dog will have the time of their lives with our team.

two dogs on a hiking adventure with Shoreline Happy PawsDonations to a Shelter or Rescue

Honor your rescue dog and those before him/her by making a donation to the shelter or rescue where you adopted them or a rescue in the CT Shoreline. Gather up some used pet equipment and accessories, blankets and towels, or purchase pet foods, pill pockets, and cleaning products, then go by and deliver them on your pet’s behalf.

If it’s easier, write the rescue or shelter a check or visit their Amazon wish list, so you know that your donation is exactly what they need. There’s no better way to celebrate your rescue dog than by helping others just like them!

5 Ways to Celebrate Your Rescue Dog on DOGust 1st dog at Sweet Luna's in Old Saybrook, CT5 Ways to Celebrate Your Rescue Dog on DOGust 1st

Most of our clients are exceptional dog parents who spoil their dogs every single day, not just on DOGust 1st. But, it’s fun to honor our furry companions with a token of our affection on this special day. A bit of quality time, a new bag of treats, or a nice long walk are sure to delight!

The Best Care for CT Shoreline Rescue Dogs

Shoreline Happy Paws is currently accepting new clients for dog walking, dog hiking, and cat sitting services! New Shoreline Happy Paws clients can create an account. We will be in touch to further discuss your needs and set you, your family, and your cat(s) up for success. Existing clients, please book services by logging in to your client profile.

We serve the following areas of the Connecticut Shoreline:

  • Old Saybrook
  • Essex, Ivoryton & Centerbrook
  • Deep River
  • Chester
  • Westbrook
  • Clinton
  • Old Lyme
  • East Lyme
  • Niantic

Certain Parts and Certain Service Hours in:

  • Lyme and Madison
  • Waterford, New London, Groton
  • Uncasville, Gales Ferry, Mystic, Noank

Adriana Valle

Adriana Valle is the Owner, Founder, and Chief Pet-Loving Officer at Shoreline Happy Paws LLC, where she has led professional pet care since 2010. Her pet care journey started in Doha, Qatar, where she founded the country's first full-time pet sitting service, before relocating to the Connecticut Shoreline in 2017 and rebuilding it into a team-based pet care company trusted by more than 600 local families. Adriana is a Certified Pet First Aid and CPR Instructor, trained through the Pet Safety Crusader curriculum by Denise Fleck, and teaches hands-on Pet CPR and First Aid classes for pet parents throughout the Shoreline. She is currently pursuing a certificate in dog behavior from CATCH Canine Trainers Academy and is a longtime member of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters and Pet Sitters International. She regularly attends pet industry conferences across the country to stay on the leading edge of professional pet care standards, safety practices, and industry trends. Shoreline Happy Paws is veterinarian recommended and proudly holds a 5-star Google review from Saybrook Veterinary Hospital. Beyond daily pet care, Adriana leads the Shoreline's pet parent community, running social community walks, hikes, and Dog Water Adventures for pet parents across Southeastern Connecticut, along with the CT Pet Parents Facebook community. She also welcomes dogs into her own Essex home through the company's Homestyle Boarding service, and is currently launching the first Doggie Adventure Bus in the CT Shoreline, a group enrichment adventure on wheels. Her love of animals started early, growing up in El Salvador surrounded by eight Boxers and her grandparents' farm animals, and later volunteering with the Qatar Animal Welfare Society caring for rescued strays. A fluent Spanish speaker, she is proud to serve Shoreline families in both English and Spanish. Today she shares her home with her husband Chris, Cannoli the Corgi, and Gnocchi the hedgehog. Adriana has written more than 200 articles on pet care, safety, and pet-friendly living. She posts weekly blogs to ensure that pet parents in the Shoreline and Lower River Valley areas of Southeastern Connecticut stay informed and educated on pet care best practices and pet-friendly living. Her topics range from Shoreline Happy Paws-specific topics, including highlighting the benefits of Dog Walking, Dog Hiking, and Cat Sitting services, to reporting on local shelter changes, wildlife threats, pet industry trends, and other current events.

Related Articles

The Hidden Costs of Skipping Daily Dog Walks

The Hidden Costs of Skipping Daily Dog Walks

Life gets busy. Between work, family commitments, errands, and everything else on your calendar, it's understandable that a daily dog walk can occasionally fall by the wayside. But when missed walks become the norm instead of the exception, many dogs begin to show us...

read more

Get the latest updates for CT Pet Parents!