Dog lovers in Vilnius celebrated the Dog’s Day: they celebrated it exceptionally

This year, the organizers of the holiday invited to organize a Thanksgiving holiday and to thank your pets in the company of like-minded people or a work team.

The idea was immediately caught by the members of the Canine Therapy Association and, having gathered in the glass dome belonging to the Directorate of Castles near Vilnius Cathedral Square, they thanked their therapy dogs.

“I was looking for a friend with whom I would like to be alone and not alone at the same time. I myself can’t believe where that friendship is leading me now – Mono and I are already involved in canine therapy. Thank you”, Mindaugas was surprised at the changes in his life while thanking his pet. “First of all, thank you for having dogs at all!” That he is a dog when we feel bad and helps us endure difficult moments”, said Joana. “Thank you, Kuna, for fulfilling my old dream of having a dog “like in the movies”, Ugnė joked.

A relentless downpour didn’t spoil the thanksgiving celebration for dog lovers. Having pre-registered for the excursion “Dog and Rulers of Lithuania” organized by the Directorate of the State Cultural Reserve of Vilnius Castles and the Lithuanian Society of Cynologists, they learned a lot of interesting things about the dogs of the nobles and together with the professional guide Nerile Urbonaite went around the Gediminas Hill.

“Dogs were one of the most valuable gifts exchanged between European rulers,” the guide said. – Queen Bona Sforca received a dog of extraordinary beauty from the Duke of Mantua and asked to send more such puppies. It was most likely a Maltese Bichon.”

Of course, hunting dogs were mostly kept in those days. The dogs were looked after by experienced dog handlers, kennels were built for them, and considerable money was allocated for their maintenance.

The participants of the excursion were also reminded of the history of the origin of Lithuanian hounds, which was supplemented live by the Lithuanian hound breeder who participated in the excursion with Ciri, Marius Smetona, one of the authors of the book about Lithuanian hounds.

Dozens of witnesses of love for dogs also participated in the virtual contest “Thank you!” published by the Lithuanian Society of Cynologists. They uploaded photos of their pets and thanked them for the patience they had developed, travel, new friends, sports, improved health and a changed perception of the world. Some even thanked me for the “different me”. But it cannot be otherwise, after all, we are talking about man’s best friend – a dog.