World Animal Day

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World Animal Day — October 4

For nearly 30 years, I’ve worked with dogs and other animals in just about every circumstance you can imagine.

Young ones. Old ones. Frightened ones. Confident ones. Animals with wonderful histories—and animals carrying baggage nobody could see at first glance.

One thing all those years have taught me is this:

The animal in front of you matters more than the label attached to them.

Breed matters. History matters. Training matters. Health matters.

But none of those things replace actually paying attention to the individual animal standing in front of you.

What is this dog telling me?

Is she frightened—or stubborn?

Is he overwhelmed—or “misbehaving”?

Is this animal tired, hurting, confused, excited, insecure, or simply trying to figure out what we want?

Good animal care has always required observation, patience, common sense, and respect for the individual.

That applies whether we are training a puppy, caring for an elderly dog, working with a fearful rescue, handling a working dog, or simply sharing our home with an animal we love.

On World Animal Day, I’m thinking about all the animals who have passed through my life and taught me something along the way.

Now I want to see yours.

Share a favorite photo of an animal who has meant something special to you. ❤️

— Kat Rollins