Lucas heard it was National Dog Day and said, “Perfect. I have plans.”

So he celebrated properly!

First stop: The Home Depot, because obviously Lucas is a man with errands.

Then it was back to his favorite Photographer Goodvibes Dogtography’s studio for photos, playtime and some quality time with his beloved stuffies. This boy LOVES a stuffy.

Next, we headed to Pixie Sticks Dog Boutique, where Lucas got to do a little shopping of his own. He picked out a new toy AND a new treat because, after all, it was his holiday. He also got to meet James, the owner, and immediately decided James was very much his kind of person.

After that, it was time to head back following one very successful National Dog Day adventure.

We love getting our dogs out into the community because it gives us a chance to see so much more of who they are outside of a kennel environment.

And Lucas? He’s affectionate, brave, curious and always down for an adventure. He can run errands at The Home Depot, play at the studio, shop for his own toys and make friends everywhere he goes.

Basically, Lucas celebrated National Dog Day by reminding us exactly why he deserves a home to celebrate all the regular days in, too.

Happy National Dog Day, Lucas. You were a very good boy.

Heidi got a little refresh.

The Arizona sun and heat can be tough on just about everything, and over time, Heidi’s beautiful Tribute Tags were ready for a little extra care.

We recently gave the statue and tags some much-deserved attention—carefully cleaning each tag, replacing the rings and refreshing the display so this special tribute can continue to shine.

Each tag carries a name and a story, placed in honor or memory of a beloved pet or person. Together, they’ve become such a meaningful part of Heidi’s Village, and we’re so happy to see this special tribute beautifully refreshed.

There’s always room for another story. With a $100 donation, you can add a personalized Tribute Tag to Heidi’s statue in honor or memory of someone special.

Create your Tribute Tag below and become a lasting part of Heidi’s legacy.

We were excited to welcome FOX 10 Phoenix to Heidi’s Village to highlight the Pet CPR & First Aid Certification Classes hosted by Virginia B. and David R. Jontes Foundation and the potentially lifesaving skills participants are learning.

Led by Kate Klasen of H.E.L.P., these three-hour, hands-on classes teach pet owners and animal advocates how to respond when every second counts. Participants practice important skills, including proper pulse location and assessment, basic patient evaluation and CPR techniques, and receive a Pet CPR certification wallet card upon completion.

The response from our community has been incredible. Our August 29 and September 19 classes are officially sold out, so we’ve added three more opportunities:

October 3 at 9 AM
November 7 at 9 AM
December 5 at 9 AM

Classes are held at Heidi’s Village, 600 N. 40th Street in Phoenix, and space is limited to 25 participants per class.

A special thank you to the Virginia B. and David R. Jontes Foundation for making these classes possible, and to FOX 10 Phoenix for helping us share the importance of being prepared for a pet emergency.

We’re thrilled to see such a strong response from our community and so many people eager to learn skills that could one day save a life.