Australian Shepherds are full of surprises. Their name makes it sound like they came from Australia, but the breed’s story took shape on American ranches. Basque shepherds heading West brought tough, capable herding dogs that had come through Australia. In wide-open pasture, those dogs proved smart, gritty, and steady on sheep. Ranchers started calling them “Aussies,” and the nickname stuck. An Aussie is always watching and thinking. These dogs notice everything! The Australi

Observed annually on February 20, National Love Your Pet Day celebrates the loving bond between humans and their animal companions.