National Dog Day—who knew that our furry friends were so in tune with the calendar? My three dogs certainly got the memo because at precisely 4:12 AM, they decided it was time to celebrate.

The house was quiet, the world still asleep, but not my trio. Nope, they were ready to party. One by one, those wet noses nudged us awake, their tails wagging with the urgency of dogs on a mission. “Mom, it’s our day! Let’s go outside, eat, play, and celebrate!” How could anyone resist? So out we went into the early morning darkness, with only the moon to witness their joy.

The day didn’t stop there, of course. My dogs seemed to believe that National Dog Day meant 24 hours of extra love, attention, and, most importantly, treats. They demanded extra hugs, extra pets, and all the kisses. Their cute little faces, their soft and loud barks, their insistence that I throw the toy that they inevitably grab and hide (because, let’s face it, the concept of fetch is lost on them)—it was a day of doggie indulgence.

And as tired as I was, I was all too happy to oblige. Because really, dogs rule. They fill our lives with unconditional love, endless entertainment, and that special kind of chaos that makes everything a little bit better. Even when they wake us up before the crack of dawn, I wouldn’t have them any other way.

So here’s to hoping tomorrow they let me sleep until 6:40 AM. But if they don’t, well, I’ll be ready to celebrate their wonderful doggy selves all over again. After all, they deserve it. Every single day.