Man’s (and woman’s) best friend took center stage earlier this week as Monday, Aug. 26 was National Dog Day. Local readers provided photos and shared details about what makes their furry friends so special.

A special shout-out to Katrina Ortiz of Hermiston, who shared about Mason, a German shorthaired pointer. Her 5-year-old pooch went missing in April and she hasn’t given up hope of finding Mason.

“He was not just a dog, he was a member of the family,” Ortiz said.

National Dog Day, which was started in 2004 by Colleen Paige, celebrates all breeds — purebreds and mutts. It honors family dogs and working dogs that give selflessly to save lives, keep people safe and provide comfort and companionship. Paige chose the date to coincide with the anniversary of when her family adopted their first dog.