5 ways to celebrate Earth Day 2026 with your dog
Even if electronics are needed to quiet down your anxious dog, here are five non-electric ways to keep her calm and celebrate Earth Day while you're at work
BGIDW subscribers, although new posts usually release on Wednesdays, this one is being published earlier to allow you to plan for Earth Day.
When I was a kid and tried to watch movies with my father, he’d almost always fall asleep. Whenever I’d call him out on it, he’d insist he is “not sleep, I’m just watching my eyelids.” And then I’d hear the sound of him lightly snoring again. My grandfather was less subtle. He’d flop in his favorite living room chair, hike one leg up on the arm of the chair and fall into a deep sleep with his mouth open in a diagonal position. Nothing could put these two to sleep quite like the television watching them.
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I’m not having the same struggle with TV, but reading a book has never been so hard. I convince myself I’m going to snuggle up on the Bedsure foldable human-sized dog couch and read whatever new book I got from the library. When my Hound mix Junee hears me unfolding the human-sized dog bed, she speed walks into the room and crawls under the blanket I grab from my ottoman, burying her entire body underneath and falling asleep almost as quickly as my grandfather. I don’t know what it is about a 27-pound dog, but that body pillow leaning against me immediately makes me sleepy too. Before I know it, I haven’t read even half a page, and I’m having the best sleep ever.
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Blame it on being in my 40s and appreciating a good nap. Or, blame it on the Bedsure dog bed having no business being that comfortable. (I sleep on this bed 50% of the week because I’m too tired to wake up, shower and sleep in my own bed. And I never sleep in my actual bed without showering first and taking off my “outside” clothes, so the human-sized dog bed is an easy excuse to crawl onto the floor in whatever I have on.)
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But falling asleep with the television on is a waste of power and a surefire way to increase your electricity bill. For anxious dogs who need music or the television to avoid yelping, waking the neighbors and to calm separation anxiety, this is a non-negotiable.
On Earth Day, April 22, here’s your chance to mark the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement since 1970 a different way besides reading or turning off your electronic appliances. (You can do this too.)
Check out five suggestions for making the most of Earth Day’s 56th anniversary with you and your dog.
1. Take a long walk in the morning
If you’re usually in the habit of making the walk 12-15 minutes, get up a little earlier and really enjoy the walk. Take your dog on a walk through a local park, nature trail or a longer stretch of the neighborhood. Instead of your usual route, slow down and let your dog sniff away at unfamiliar grass, look at unfamiliar people and enjoy other new settings. This is also your chance to appreciate nature and be present. If you have access to a forest preserve or lakefront like the ones in Chicago, even better. Enjoying natural spaces highlights exactly what Earth Day is all about protecting.
2. Clean up the neighborhood while you walk
Sure, the dog poop litterer is a nuisance to gardeners and brand new shoes. But instead of getting mad at someone who left dog poop in the grass, make the most use of your dog waste bags and pick up that poop too. Chances are fairly high — unless you have a large dog — that there’s enough space for an extra scoop anyway. An easy way to clean and walk is to turn the bag inside out like a glove, grab the waste, roll the top over your hands and stroll on. I’ve picked up after two or three dogs on my morning walks like this all the time. My hands never touch anything but the bag.
While you’re at it, if you have extra bags, clean up other litter and recyclables along your way. It’s an easy way to get in a few extra squats and stretches for your morning workout. Once you reach a nearby garbage can and recycling container, you can bring your mini cleanup to an end. You don’t have to do it the entire walk.
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3. Reevaluate your plastic-waste use for dog supplies
Take a long look at the type of dog supplies you’re purchasing for your dog. Are you buying biodegradable waste bags? Are you considering natural grooming products? Are the toys made from sustainable materials? Even choosing durable toys helps reduce plastic waste over time. If your dog has old toys or accessories they no longer use, consider donating them to a local animal shelter instead of throwing them away. Or, if your dog has passed away, find a donation bin. You’d be surprised how many appreciative dog owners have pups who eat your dog’s same brand of dog food, use your dog’s same brand of dog toothpaste and would appreciate your dog’s brand of dog shampoo.
4. Clean up the dog park
If your dog hangs out in the dog park for free, somebody has to be putting those free toys, free kiddie pools, free dishes and free dog slides in there. If it’s not you, why can’t it be? If your dog has old dog toys she never pays attention to, drop them off so other dogs can play with them. Leaving dog treats gets a little tricky because every dog’s diet is different, but DIY dog toys and store-bought toys are generally safe. Avoid weight-specific dental treats or any supply that could endanger a dog based on weight and size though.
And if you see something missing or something that needs to be cleaned, such as a dirty water fountain, grab a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol or a mild disinfectant spray and paper towels, and clean it up. If it’s a stubborn stain, bring rubbing white vinegar in another spray bottle. (I never get rid of my Febreze spray containers. They come in handy for watering my plants and as cleaning spray bottles when I buy green cleaner in bulk.)
Recommended Read: “African-Americans’ roles in fighting against environmental racism ~ Q&A interview with Norris McDonald, president of the African-American Environmentalist Association”
5. Volunteer your time at a dog shelter
Whether you have a dog or not, all dogs appreciate nature. You could sign up to volunteer at an animal shelter. Or, support an environmental organization by donating to causes that protect natural habitats. When you protect the outdoors, by default, you’re protecting the dog population and making their daily dog walks more peaceful.
By spending the day outdoors, making eco-conscious and pet-friendly decisions, and giving back where you can, you and your dog can enjoy a memorable Earth Day together while helping to protect the planet.
Shamontiel is a dog lover to her core: 678 completed walks with 103 dogs, eight dog house sittings and 10 dog boardings at the time of this publication.
Did you enjoy this post? You’re also welcome to check out my Substack columns “AAC-PACK,” “Black Girl In a Doggone World,” “BlackTechLogy,” “Homegrown Tales,” “I Do See Color,” “One Black Woman’s Vote” and “Window Shopping” too. Subscribe to this newsletter for the weekly posts every Wednesday. Thanks for reading!