In every walk of life, there are unsung heroes. On March 23rd, we celebrate the tireless efforts of the dedicated staff and volunteers who work to rescue animals – most notably puppies and dogs. National Puppy Day strives to shine a light on the problems of overpopulation and overcrowding in shelters and to highlight the very great need for families to adopt from these facilities. Those involved in rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming canines are passionate about their mission and sometimes go to great lengths to find a forever home for every possible pet.

We wish every dog could be as loved as this gorgeous guy! This bride and groom asked us to cover his harness in wedding flowers in order to become a part of the bridal party. How cute is that?

The numbers are stacked against these sweet animals – nearly 4 million puppies and adult dogs are surrendered to shelters annually. And although mistakenly believe that they are abandoned because of behavior issues, that is simply not the case. The overwhelming majority of animals in shelters are there because their owners could no longer care for them – or no longer wanted to. Litters of unwanted puppies are often left on the shelter’s doorstep and many animals are rescued from abusive situations, only to find themselves in another precarious position. Between 35-50% of dogs are euthanized, as the shelter simply cannot handle the sheer numbers of abandoned, surrendered or stray animals.

With these sobering facts in mind, it becomes even more clear how special the rescue workers are. 35% of dogs in shelters do find new forever homes, and the percentage is higher for puppies. But organizers of National Puppy Day encourage animal lovers to adopt more furry friends – or perhaps make a donation to help the shelter with expenses.

At Robertson’s Flowers, we are privileged to send floral designs to everyday heroes who deserve recognition. If you have a rescue dog and wish to thank those who helped you to bring him home, we have gorgeous floral designs that are sure to be appreciated. After all, when a puppy is adopted, a life is quite literally saved – and that is something to celebrate!