From The Straits Times    |

Dogs walk around the warning track as they take part in the Dodgers’ annual “Pups in the Park” day before the game between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in the United States. — PHOTO: AFP

August 26 is National Dog Day in the United States.

It has been celebrated annually since it was inaugurated in 2004 by Colleen Paige, a celebrity pet and family lifestyle expert as well as an animal behaviourist and author.

“National Dog Day serves to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year, and acknowledges family dogs and dogs that work selflessly each day to save lives, keep us safe and bring comfort,” according to the official website devoted to the day.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimates there may be up to 70 million pet dogs in the US and between 37 and 47 per cent of households may own one. Up to 3.9 million dogs enter shelters every year.

In a statement posted on the website, Ms Paige said she wanted the “world to celebrate dogs for their capacity to love and their ability to impact our lives everyday in the most miraculous ways”.

In pursuit of that goal, here are 10 famous dogs on Instagram. Get ready for overwhelming cuteness!

1. Balki Bones

Who: Balki is a three-legged Havanese dog that hasn’t let the loss of a limb keep it from being this happy.

Popularity: 106,150 followers

See For Yourself: http://instagram.com/balkibones

2. BarkleyThePom

Who: This pomeranian sports both an afro and what looks like a big smile in its adorable photos on Instagram.

Popularity: 204,778 followers

See For Yourself: http://instagram.com/barkleythepom

3. Sir Charles Barkley

Who: A two-year-old French bulldog living in Seattle with the most lovable death stare you’ve ever seen.
Popularity: 259,656 followers

See For Yourself: http://instagram.com/barkleysircharles

4. Menswear Dog

Who: This dapper pooch is a 5-year-old Shiba Inu residing in New York City.

Popularity: 145,569 followers

See For Yourself: http://instagram.com/mensweardog

5. Digby and Aloysius Van Winkle

Who: Honoured with their own surname, Digby and Aloysius are Brussels Griffons living in Wellington, New Zealand.

Popularity: 280,946 followers

See For Yourself: http://instagram.com/digbyvanwinkl

6. Theron Humphrey

Who: Maggie the Coonhound’s best friend and owner is Theron Humphrey and his Instagram account features her a fair bit. With such a charming photo subject, Theron has a glut of followers.

Popularity: 621,100 followers

See For Yourself: http://instagram.com/thiswildidea

7. Manny

Who: This three-year-old Chicago-based French bulldog “likes making friends, giving back to charity, and dressing up as a hamburger,” according to its instagram account.

Popularity: 543,149 followers

See For Yourself: http://instagram.com/manny_the_frenchie

8. Tuna

Who: With its quirky overbite, and the occasional creative outfit, Tuna has won over many. Did we mention that this Chiweenie – a cross between a Chihuahua and a Dachshund – is one of the most popular pets on instagram?

Popularity: 942,739 followers

See For Yourself: http://instagram.com/tunameltsmyheart

9. Maru

Who: It takes some serious effort to beat Tuna the Chiweenie for popularity, but that’s just what Maru, a Shiba Inu living in Japan, has done.

Popularity: 977,772 followers

See For Yourself: http://instagram.com/marutaro

10. Buddy and Boo

Who: Simply put, these two Pomeranians are two walking balls of fluff.

Popularity: 442,606 followers

See For Yourself: http://instagram.com/buddyboowaggytails

This article was first run in The Straits Times newspaper on August 27, 2014. For similar stories, go to sph.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore. You will not be able to access the Premium section of The Straits Times website unless you are already a subscriber.