NATIONAL DOG MONTH

All during the month of August, National Dog Month celebrates our loveable canine pals smack in the middle of the dog days of summer. Dogs are the #1 most commonly owned pets on the planet, and with good reason. Did you know that scientific studies prove our pawsome companions make us happier, less stressed, and more optimistic? The list of benefits to spending time with a dog goes on and on, but it all proves one thing––that a month-long celebration of our furry best friends has been a long time coming.

Rosie is a rescue as is tiny Peanut. They are the best of friends.

Whether your dog burrows under the blankets with you at night, plays in the sprinkler, or alerts you to a health need, we know they are constantly improving our lives and making them more fun. Not only that, but the companionship and affection we share with them make their lives better, too. Dog lovers know
a life without dogs is a life missing something special, and that’s a fact worth celebrating.

NATIONAL DOG MONTH HISTORY

Milk-Bone brand (The J.M. Smucker Company) founded National Dog Month in 2020 to recognize all the ways dogs make our lives better.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalDogMonth

This is the easy part. Celebrate with your best pal. Take an extra-long walk. Play fetch or spare an extra Milk-Bone treat. Get your dog the toy he’s been wanting or visit the dog park. Speaking of visits, make your next veterinarian appointment to ensure your pet stays healthy and strong. Donate to your local shelter or to a larger dog nonprofit. You can also volunteer your services. Not only will the dogs appreciate the support, but so will their future human companions. However you celebrate, be sure to use #NationalDogMonth to post on social media.

Milk Bone
Milk Bone

NATIONAL MUTT DAY

National Mutt Day encourages us to embrace, save and celebrate mixed breed dogs twice a year on July 31st and December 2nd.

Desperately longing for a new home, millions of loving and healthy mixed breed dogs in shelters wait for someone to come and adopt them. National Mutt Day provides an excellent opportunity to find the perfect canine companion. Despite the name, a mutt learns, obeys and trains much like purebred animals. While their lineage cannot be traced and their features a bit murky, their companionship will be faithful.  

According to the ASPCA, approximately 3.3 million dogs enter shelters every year. When these abandoned and often abused animals find their way to a shelter, each one needs a forever home. Whether you know it or not, their potential is limitless. Some of the benefits of adoption are often hidden. Human and canine both enjoy increased physical activity.  Another boost is social interaction through daily walks. While humans develop patience, their four-legged companion learns to trust and new limits. For example, as dogs explore the many scents of the human lifestyle,  they usually discover shoes are off-limits. 

No matter the breed, size or demeanor of the human, er, canine, the shelter will take the time to find the right home for their animals. They schedule visits and have procedures in place to promote healthy adoptions for families and individuals. While some dogs experience injury or illness, the shelters work with veterinarians to heal the animals before making them available for adoption.

Of course, shelters always welcome donations and volunteers. Dogs love walking, playing and being loved even if they haven’t found their forever home. Every moment they spend socializing increases their opportunity for adoption.

NATIONAL MUTT DAY HISTORY

Celebrity Pet Expert and Animal Welfare Advocate, Colleen Paige, founded National Mutt Day in 2005.  Celebrate the day on both December 2 and July 31 of each year. Learn more at http://www.nationalmuttday.com.

Love Animals…

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalMuttDay

Visit a shelter; if you are unable to adopt a dog, you can always volunteer. Post on social media using #NationalMuttDay and encourage others to join in.

Customer Favorites: Pets
Customer Favorites: Pets

NATIONAL CHILI DOG DAY

On the last Thursday in July, hot dog lovers across the United States start topping their hot dogs with delicious chili to celebrate National Chili Dog Day. 

Wrapping up National Hot Dog Month, the chili dog brings the heat. Add onions, cheese, or chili sauce for more variety. With a hot dog, the condiments are endless.

Also known as a coney dog or chili con carne, the first person to make a chili dog probably tried it around the turn of the 20th century. Even then it was likely a meat and tomato sauce, not the full-on firehouse chili we know today. Get Jen’s Easy Chili recipe.

Even now, the chili dog gains gourmet status depending on where you go. Add the best ingredients, all-beef franks, and pretzel bun, too. My favorite is traditional chili piled on with fresh purple onion, and extra sharp cheddar cheese.

Experiment with the sausage seasonings or the type of chili. For example, switch to a flavorful brat seasoned with chipotle and top it with buffalo chili. Let your imagination go wild. Of course, a traditional chili dog is always an option, too.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalChiliDogDay

Chili dogs are a meal all on their own. Grab one at the ballpark or set up a chili dog bar. Invite friends and family to create colossal and delicious chili dogs with all their favorite toppings. Host a chili cookoff and supply the franks, buns, and special toppings for the judges to add to their chili dog. Crown the winner with bragging rights!

Post on social media using #NationalChiliDogDay and encourage others to join the celebration.

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NATIONAL HOT DOG DAY

National Hot Dog Day in July, celebrates a summertime staple on a bun. Enjoy one piping hot and add some relish and mustard to go! One thing we want to know – is it a sandwich or not? 

Celebrated every year during National Hot Dog Month, this day pays homage to the frankfurter, the footlong or wienie, wiener, wienerwurst or even red hot. They taste just as great no matter what we call it.

Novelty Funny Hotdog Ketchup Unisex Kitchen Chef Apron - Chef Apron For Cooking,Baking,Crafting,Gardening And BBQ
Brand: WanHSP
Novelty Funny Hotdog Ketchup Unisex Kitchen Chef Apron – Chef Apron For Cooking,Baking,Crafting,Gardening And BBQ

Brand: WanHSP


Over 25 million hot dogs are sold at baseball stadiums each year.

We make them a variety of ways. They’re portable and easy to make. While many of us prefer them grilled or toasted over a fire, we also boil, pan-fry, and rotisserie-cook them. The list of toppings are numerous – from the basic ketchup, mustard or relish to onions, mayonnaise, cheese bacon, chili and sauerkraut – the list keeps growing. Adults and children alike love them, too. 

Certified International Hot Dogs Rectangular Tray withHandles 19" x 12" Servware, Accessories,Hostess Serving, Multicolor
Brand: Certified International
Certified International Hot Dogs Rectangular Tray withHandles 19″ x 12″ Servware, Accessories,Hostess Serving, Multicolor

Brand: Certified International


Then there’s me.  My family likes them but I simply cannot.  My mother says I’ve rejected them since day 1.  Normally toddlers get these cut up as a easy food, apparently I have been refusing them since then.  I’ve tried lots of brands and styles of cooking, and a variety of toppings, but the outcome is always the same.  So if you love these wonders of food enjoy one for me would you?  Can I have a Brat instead?

Johnsonville Brat Griller - BBQ Basket for 5 Sausage Links
Visit the Johnsonville Store
Johnsonville Brat Griller – BBQ Basket for 5 Sausage Links

Visit the Johnsonville Store


On May 31, 2012,a world record was set for the most expensive hot dog. The “California Capitol City Dawg” sold for $145.49 at Capitol Dawg in Sacramento, California.  The “California Capitol City Dawg” features:

  • A grilled 18″ all-beef, in natural casing frank from Chicago
  • served on a fresh-baked herb and oil focaccia roll spread with white truffle butter, then grilled
  • topped with whole grain mustard from France, garlic and herb mayonnaise
  • sauteed chopped shallots, organic mixed baby greens, maple syrup
  • marinated/fruitwood smoked uncured bacon from New Hampshire
  • chopped tomatoes, sweetened dried cranberries, chopped tomato
  • expensive moose cheese from Sweden
  • basil olive oil/pear-cranberry-coconut balsamic vinaigrette and ground peppercorn
  • Proceeds from the sale of each 3 lb. super dog were donated to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

7-Eleven sells the most grilled hot dogs in North America – 100 million annually.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL HOT DOG DAY

The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council created National Hot Dog Day.  The day was established in 1991 to coincide with a hot dog lunch on Capitol Hill every year on a Wednesday in July.

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HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL HOT DOG DAY

Share your favorite toppings. Do you like yours blackened or just done? Tell us where the best hot dogs near you are. Give the restaurant or vendor a shout out. What makes them special? Is it their toppings? Do they use a better frank? We want to know.

Have a hot dog and post on social media using #NationalHotDogDay to encourage others to join in.

Best Sellers in Grocery & Gourmet Food
Best Sellers in Grocery & Gourmet Food

NATIONAL BEANS ‘N’ FRANKS DAY

National Beans ‘N’ Franks Day on July 13th encourages us to make our favorite recipes during National Hot Dog Month. Since we are also indulging in a Baked Bean Month, this is a great way to combine them. This simple recipe cooks up a delicious dish in no time and goes well with summertime barbecues, too!

Also known as “beanie weenies,” both dishes are similar to pork ‘n’ beans, but substitute hot dogs or frankfurters for the pork. 

Baked beans became popular during the Civil War in the United States. They would later become one of the first canned convenience foods on the market in the 1890s. As a result, baked beans became a staple of the chuckwagon. However, it is unknown when adding franks to the beans became a culinary technique.

The franks, or frankfurters, can be beef, pork, or a combination of both. The ground meat is blended with spices and seasonings before being cured. These sausage style wieners or hot dogs come with or without casings. Before adding them to the beans, the franks are sliced into bite-sized pieces.

While beans and franks is one name, Van Camp’s owns the trademark to the Beanie Weenies name. Another brand name is Franks & Beans.

Home cooks make beans and franks, too. Recipes can include beans, hot dogs, brown sugar, onion, mustard, barbecue sauce, and spices. The United States isn’t the only place recipes are found, either. Around the world, beans and franks enjoy wide popularity.

Beans and franks go well with coleslaw, grilled corn on the cob, and vegetable kabobs. Add some iced tea and pie to complete the meal. Make it a picnic for a day out.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #BeansNFranksDay

Have a picnic or cookout. Make your favorite beans ‘n’ franks recipe to share. Don’t have one? Here is a recipe for you to try. Or just open up a can and heat it up. Post on social media using #BeansNFranksDay.