12 years ago a dog-lover named Colleen Paige founded National Dog Day to help raise awareness — and adoptions — of shelter dogs. (She's also the founder of National Puppy Day, National Mutt Day and even National Cat Day.) Ms. Paige chose August 26^th to celebrate man's best friend because when she was 10 years old she and her family adopted her first dog, Sheltie, on that date.

Since then, she's been in love with dogs and wants you to fall in love, too. Here are five ways to celebrate dogs on their special day:

1. Take your dog somewhere they've never been before. Dogs love to explore. New sights and smells and new doggy friends are some of their favorite things. Take your dog to a new dog beach or park and let them have the run of the place. Not only will they love you for it, they'll be worn out afterwards. (And everyone knows that a tired dog is a good dog!)
2. Give to a shelter. Even if you don't have a lot of spare cash lying around, you can still make a donation to your local shelter. They're always in need of blankets, towels, toys, cleaning supplies...the list goes on. Find out what they need, then clean out your closets! 
3. Buy your dog a new collar or toy. Or both. Dogs like gifts just as much as people. So treat your dog to something fun on their special day. 
4. Take lots of pictures. Take selfies with your dog. Or action shots. Or sleeping shots. Or any shot of your dog just being its cute and lovable self. Then enter your photos into the National Dog Day photo contest. 
5. Adopt a shelter dog. Last but definitely not least, the best way to celebrate National Dog Day is to rescue one from a shelter. And let your new pup rescue you...from a life of doglessness!

Those are just a few ways to celebrate our canine companions. I'm sure you can come up with lots more. So let's pass the word and join in the fun of National Dog Day.

Your "For the Love of a Dog" Gift Guru,
Linda

As a self-appointed 'gift guru', a skill I acquired from my grandmother who had a keen mind for dates, I'm pretty good at keeping up with holidays. So imagine my surprise when one of my best friends presented me with a gift earlier this week in honor of National Friendship Week.

I was sure she was mistaken, but of course I couldn't point that out. It would have been rude. Besides, the gift she brought was a week's worth of my favorite chocolates. (Full disclosure: they didn't last the week!)

When I looked it up, I discovered she was right. At least according to some people. It seems there are about a dozen versions of Friendship Week across the globe and they all happen at different times. Which makes me feel a bit better as far as keeping track of the dates goes.

And since I still had a few days to pick out some fun and funny gifts for all my 'Besties', I didn't actually miss it — and neither did you! Whew!

Your "In Under the Wire" Gift Guru,
Linda

Have you been watching the Olympics from Rio? Although the games have been plagued by problems, including the Zika-carrying mosquito, reports of unsanitary water in the ocean and lagoons and now in the diving pool, and all those empty seats, the games have been just as exciting and competitive as ever.

Americans are doing well this year, so far bringing home medals in diving, fencing, archery, and gymnastics. But the swimmers took center stage this week. Katie Ledecky is a veritable machine, breaking her own world record and bringing home gold after gold. And Michael Phelps schooled long-time rival Chad le Clos, showing him that winning at trash talking doesn't earn you a medal. In fact, Phelps took home the gold in the 200m butterfly while the South African swimmer didn't even merit a spot on the podium.

Even through the controversies, which included dozens of athletes being banned for doping, the Olympic Games are still the best international competition in the world — no matter where they're held and no matter who wins. Though I must admit, as an American who can barely stay afloat on a pool noodle, it's fun to watch our swimmers pick up so much metal.

Your "Go For The Gold" Gift Guru,
Linda

You probably remember that famous M&M's slogan. It's one of the most famous, longest running and well-loved advertising slogans in the world of candies. But do you know why the Mars Candy Company adopted those famous words? The whole idea of candy-coated chocolates was inspired by a British candy making method that allowed soldiers to carry chocolate without it melting.

Now the candy-coated chocolate treat is celebrating its 75th anniversary with events across the country, a new flavor and what Forbes Magazine calls "America's Most Loved Spokescreatures". Earlier this year, the candy lovers were called upon to vote for their favorite new flavor, Honey Nut, Coffee Nut or Chili Nut.

Here's how you can celebrate with the chocolaty, nutty family of treats:

• Pick up a bag (or two or three) of the winning M&M's flavor, Coffee Nut (the one I voted for, of course). If you can find them. Stores are having a hard time keeping them in stock!
• Grab a to-go bottle. In honor of their anniversary, the candy maker is releasing all kinds of new M&M's themed bottles, including their own Spokescreatures and a series of eight X-Men bottles.
• Join the fun on their Facebook page. You can catch a modern reboot of the song "Candy Man" with Zedd and Aloe Blacc, plus keep up on all the silly fun with M&M's spokescreatures.