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The Good Dog Hotel & Spa team is always on the lookout for fun things to do with dogs, while also benefitting other dogs. Guess what? We found some great events coming up in July and August where you can do both! It doesn’t get any better than that.

Whether you’re looking to get your sweat on, meet new people, adopt a dog or just have some family fun, we’ve got you covered.

And remember, as we head into the hottest months of summer, our Dog Daycare is a great (and cool) escape for your pup, where he or she can make friends, while also getting in some healthy exercise and play time. If you’ve never visited us before, come on in and we’ll give you a tour!

Cooper’s Fun Run

For this month’s Cooper’s Fun Run, participants will run from Au Bon Pain on Monument Circle, and will benefit charity partner Joseph Maley Foundation. This is an all-ages and abilities event. Runners, walkers, dogs on leashes, kids and strollers are welcome. Suggested donations of $10 are accepted in lieu of a registration fee. A raffle drawing will be held after the event.

Dog Days of Summer Open House

This community event supports the Human Society of Indianapolis and is at the brand-new Home2 Suites Indianapolis Airport. A minimum $1 donation will grant you full access to food, local beer and wine, festive games, and a chance to win a grand prize. Attendees will also get the opportunity to interact with several shelter dogs looking for their fur-ever homes. For a minimum $10 donation, you can even bring your own furry friend along.

2019 Day of the Dog

In honor of National Dog Day on August 26, celebrate with the third annual Day of the Dog: Run, Walk or Jog one mile, 5k, 10k, 13.1mi., or 26.2 mi. You can complete a chosen distance anytime in August for, or with, your favorite four-legged friend. With every registration, 15% will be donated to Freedom Service Dogs of America, a nonprofit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by rescuing dogs and custom training them for individual client needs. Clients include children, veterans and active duty military, and other adults. Their disabilities include autism, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and post-traumatic stress disorder. You’ll receive a Day of the Dog Medal, plus an attached dog tag for your favorite four-legged friend.

Donuts & Downdog (Yoga with Rescue Dogs)

Love deep breathing with a side of puppy breath, music and donuts? Snuggle an adoptable puppy while practicing yoga at the Irsay Family YMCA. Enjoy 45 minutes of beginners Vinyasa Flow Yoga with the adoptable dogs of Helping Paws Indy, a local foster-based rescue group. Session includes a selfie with a dog and donuts. A portion of this session fee goes to support Helping Paws Indy & the Irsay Family YMCA.

Corn Hole Classic 2019

The inaugural Corn Hole Classic will be held in conjunction with the 2019 Wiffle Paws Classic Wiffle Ball Tournament. Proceeds will benefit Furever We Love Dog Rescue, a nonprofit that finds loving homes for dogs whose owners are at the end of their lives. Whether this will be a double-elimination or round-robin tourney will depend on the total number of teams entering. Entry fee is $20 per team. Refreshments will be provided, including drinks, cookies, watermelon, and hot dogs.

Harper’s Best of Mutts Show

Harper’s Best of Mutts Show is an annual event full of puppies, beer, and good times. Proceeds benefit the PAWS Adoption Center in Hancock County. This year’s categories will be Best of Puppy, Waggiest Tail or Butt, Best Dog Shaming Sign, Most Obedient, and Best Dressed. Winners of these categories will be entered into the 2019 Best of Mutts. It’s $15 to register your dog for a category. Scarlet Lane Brewing Company will be hosting the event and will donate 20% of the day’s sales.

July Fourth is the perfect time to celebrate and spend time with family, friends, and of course … your pets. We’re getting into the Independence Day spirit at the Good Dog Hotel & Spa, and can’t wait to host overnight guests while their families are traveling.

We’d like to take this opportunity to remind families about the dangers of fireworks and holiday celebrations, and how to keep your dog safe and healthy. Take a minute to read our Top Tips for Dogs, Fireworks & the Fourth of July.

In addition, we wanted to provide you with your daily dose of cuteness in honor of Independence Day. We’ve collected some awesome links to holiday-themed photographs, articles and videos that highlight adorable dogs and owners. We’ve also included links to some great organizations that support dogs in service to veterans.

We wish you a wonderful and safe Fourth of July!

What’s In A Name?

If you’re looking for a patriotic name for your dog – or you just want to see what other pet owners have named their dogs – check out this list of possibilities. Spoiler alert: lots of dogs have been named after presidents.

All-American Dogs

While many of the dog breeds we know and enjoy today originated in other countries, there are a number of AKC registered breeds which were developed on American soil, and each has its own unique history and heritage. Find out more on the American Kennel Club website.

Decked Out Dogs

Who doesn’t love a good dog photo? Here is a gallery of 30 patriotic dogs getting into the spirit of the Fourth of July. Yes, they’ll make you smile.

Patriotic PAWS

Patriot PAWS is a nonprofit organization that trains and provides service dogs at no cost to disabled American veterans and others with mobile disabilities and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to help restore their physical and emotional independence. The Texas Country Reporter filmed a 2015 segment on Patriot PAWS so you can get an “inside” look at how they train service dogs with the help of prison inmates. Watch four veterans go through their daily routine with the female inmate trainers in Gatesville as they prepare for graduation.

Patriotic Service Dog Foundation

Patriotic Service Dog Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on serving our military and first responder veterans by raising awareness for their needs and providing Service Dogs to those who may benefit from long-term mental and physical assistance. They match wounded veterans with highly trained and skilled Service Dogs that allow their new partners to become more independent, self-confident, and comfortable with life outside of the military/law enforcement. Read their success stories here.

Pets for Patriots

Pets for Patriots helps United States military veterans adopt a new pet friend while giving the most overlooked shelter dogs and cats hope and a home. To promote the human-animal bond and reduce the chance of adopted animals being surrendered to shelters, Pets for Patriots provides veterans with various benefits to make pet guardianship more affordable over the life of the pet, including ‘welcome home’ contributions for pet food and other essentials, access to high-quality, discounted veterinary care, and discounts on a range of pet-related goods and services. See videos and read success stories here.

Patriotic Puppies

This YouTube video is compilation of photos set to patriotic music and shows pups dressed up and showing off their red, white and blue.