Each September I share with my readers the following advice:

Americans have embraced the joys of dog ownership for centuries, from George Washington and his American Foxhounds to George W. Bush and his Scottish Terriers. Today, their roles in society have shifted from hunters and working dogs to primarily family companions.    

The American Kennel Club – the nation’s largest registry and leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to the welfare of purebred dogs – recognizes that canine companionship is not only a right but also a privilege that must be respected and nurtured. In return for this privilege, dog owners need to respect reasonable, enforceable, non-discriminatory legislation governing the ownership of dogs, such as local leash laws, curbing policies and licensing regulations.

Each year the AKC® celebrates Responsible Dog Ownership Day during the month of September to educate the dog-loving public about the importance of being a responsible owner.  Approximately 370 AKC-affiliated clubs and other organizations around the country participate by holding events in their local communities.

This year I have decided to “walk the talk” in my own community. As a member of the Newtown Kennel Club I will be hosting an AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day booth at the club’s AKC-Sanctioned Match (see calendar listing for more information) on Sunday, October 7 at the Fairfield County Extension Center in Bethel, CT from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. I’ll be on hand to answer questions, hand out free give-aways for kids, including balloons, stickers and coloring books as well as encourage every dog lover to sign the Pet Promise! If you want to electronically sign the Pet Promise before the event go to: www.akc.org/Pet_Promise.

Whether you are looking to add a puppy to your family for the first time or are a lifelong dog lover, the American Kennel Club, the Newtown Kennel Club and I encourage you to “bone up” on responsible dog ownership.

Come. Sit. Stay. And learn what it takes to be a responsible dog owner. Your best friend is counting on you.

Lisa Peterson, a long-time breeder of Norwegian Elkhounds, is the Director of Club Communications at the American Kennel Club. Contact her at ask@lisa-peterson.com or Dogma Publishing, P.O. Box 307, Newtown, CT 06470.