July 31st is National Mutt Day! A mutt is another term for a mixed breed dog. 

National Mutt Day began in 2005 and was created by Animal Welfare Advocate, Colleen Paige. According to the National Mutt Day site, 80% of shelter dogs are mixed breeds. Pure breed dogs are rescued from shelters fairly quickly, leaving many mixed breed dogs as a second choice or without a home. National Mutt Day is celebrated twice a year on July 31st and December 2nd to bring awareness to mixed breeds because they need love just as much as any other dog.

Did you know that Sundays was founded by a mutt? Well, in truth, Sundays was founded by the parents of a special mutt named Mabel. And that's just one reason why mixed breeds are close to our hearts. 

Name: Mabel

Age: 7

Breeds: Yorkshire Terrier, Bulldog, Miniature Pinscher, Beagle, Pug, Shih Tzu (& more!)

Paw-rents: Our co-founders, Dr. Tory and Michael Waxman

Likes: Dock diving, agility, jumping on the counter, Sundays beef recipe (she’s on the box!)

Dislikes: Bad haircuts, the cone of shame she had to wear after her knee surgery 

Mabel was a stray dog found in Jersey City after being hit by a car. She was brought into the Animal Medical Center in New York City, where our co-founder, Dr. Tory Waxman, was doing a veterinary internship. Dr. Tory fostered Mabel while they waited for her possible owner to come forward. When no one claimed Mabel, Dr. Tory adopted her! 

Years later, Mabel was very sick. Dr. Tory and her husband, Michael, wanted to help her get better by feeding Mabel a quality diet. Kibble wasn’t healthy enough because it was packed with fillers and artificial ingredients. Some fresh food brands had natural ingredients but were inconvenient to feed since they required refrigeration and prep time. 

The Waxman's knew that there should be a happy medium between kibble and fresh dog food – so they made Sundays. Our company was founded to help a little mutt named Mabel, but Sundays ended up helping dogs all around the country. 

Along with Mabel, there are many mixed breed dogs hat belong to the Sundays family! 

Name: Dodger

Age: 12

Breeds: Chihuahua and Dachshund

Paw-rent: Caitlin U., Director of Content at Sundays 

Likes: Belly rubs, lamb chop toys, mealtime and attention from passersby on his walks 

Dislikes: Getting blow-dried after baths (don’t even think of coming near him with that!), robot vacuums and empty dog bowls 

Name: Daisy

Age: 12

Breeds: Chihuahua and Dachshund

Paw-rent: Caitlin U., Director of Content at Sundays 

Likes: Sunshine-filled naps, chicken, having her family in sight at all times and getting blow-dried after a bath

Dislikes: Robot vacuums, when her family leaves the house and when her human sister, Valentina, jumps off the couch

Name: Mindyn

Age: 1.5

Breeds: Pitbull, Miniature Poodle, Cocker Spaniel and German Shepherd 

Paw-rent: Jackie C., Director of Finance at Sundays 

Likes: Practicing WWE moves on his big brother, snuggles with mom, guarding the neighborhood from his deck, eating Sundays

Dislikes: Anything requiring depth perceptions (because he only has 1 eye), being picked up, being told “no”, Doordash delivery drivers 

Name: Stella & Luna

Age: 4

Breeds: Rhodesian Ridgeback and Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Paw-rent: Dominique D., Field Brand Manager at Sundays

Likes: Paddle boarding, swimming, chasing squirrels 

Dislikes: Pedicures and being away from their mom

Celebrate National Mutt Day on July 31st and share your mutt’s special story with us by tagging @SundaysForDogs on Instagram!