National Dog Day 2015: Quotes, Cute Pictures To Celebrate Man's Best Friend

Wednesday is National Dog Day, a celebration of man’s (and woman’s) best friend. Founded in 2004, National Dog Day is intended to be an observance to both honor your pets and remember how many dogs still need to be rescued, according to the holiday’s website.

Between 37 and 47 percent of all households in the United States have a dog, which shakes out to about 80 million dogs total, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The most popular breeds are retrievers, German shepherds and bulldogs.

Whether you’re celebrating your pup with an extra treat, a long walk or an end-of-the-day cuddle session, make time to paws and read these quotes, collected from Goodreads, Dogtime and BrainyQuote:

“Happiness is a warm puppy.” ― Charles M. Schulz

“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” ― Josh Billings

“Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer.” ― Dean Koontz

“Did you know that there are over three hundred words for love in canine?” ― Gabrielle Zevin

“The better I get to know men, the more I find myself loving dogs.” ― Charles de Gaulle

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." — Roger Caras

“The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.” ― Andy Rooney

“I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source.” ― Doris Day

“It's hard not to immediately fall in love with a dog who has a good sense of humor.” ― Kate DiCamillo

“You know, a dog can snap you out of any kind of bad mood that you're in faster than you can think of.” ― Jill Abramson

“To show too much joy in a place such as this would be unseemly but, as he padded toward her, his tail was extended in a manner which would make wagging possible should all go as expected.” ― Eva Ibbotson

"You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, 'Wow, you're right! I never would've thought of that!'” — Dave Barry

“Dogs don't rationalize. They don't hold anything against a person. They don't see the outside of a human but the inside of a human.” — Cesar Millan

“There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.” — Ben Williams

“Whoever said you can’t buy happiness forgot little puppies.” — Gene Hill

“A dog will teach you unconditional love. If you can have that in your life, things won't be too bad.” ― Robert Wagner

“Before you get a dog, you can't quite imagine what living with one might be like; afterward, you can't imagine living any other way.” ― Caroline Knapp

“The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth will ever be.” ― Konrad Lorenz

“Actually, my dog I think is the only person who consistently loves me all the time.” ― H.G. Bissinger