National Dog Day is a day that celebrates all breeds, pure and mixed, and is meant to remind the public of the number of dogs that need to be rescued.

This national day was created in 2004 by Colleen Paige, an animal behaviorist who wanted to show appreciation for all dogs and to honor those who work in the community to help save lives, keeping us safe and out of harm’s way.

There are many ways to celebrate this holiday with your furry friend. You can take them to the dog park to play with other dogs, buy them a new toy or take them to the dog spa for a day of relaxation. If you aren’t a dog owner, you can still celebrate by volunteering at your local shelter and taking some of the dogs on walks or assisting with cleaning the animal’s cages.

Consider ways you can help animals in our society and remember the importance of dogs in our lives.

Click here to find out how you can help dogs in Illinois.

After being closed for a decade, Illinois Caverns State Natural Area is back open to the public. Located in Monroe County, this underground wonder includes an impressive array of cave formations like stalactites, stalagmites and more.

Illinois Caverns is the only commercially operated cave in Illinois. It originally opened in 1901 and passed through various owners before being sold to the state in 1985.

Due to concerns about white-nose syndrome, a disease that effects bats, the caves were closed to the public in 2011. Recent research, however, showed that human visitation did not promote the spread of the disease, leading the Department of Natural Resources to reopen the park to visitors this summer.

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Wise Plastics Technologies, an Illinois based company, has received national Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) designation from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA).

“Wise Plastics Technology has gone above and beyond, proving it’s dedicated to workplace safety,” Illinois Department of Labor Director Michael Kleinik said. “The company has set an example for others in its field.”

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The unique geology of Mississippi Palisades State Park in Carroll County offers tourists and locals an excellent location for outdoor activities year round. Every guest will be sure to find something that interests them during their visit.

Due to erosion from the Mississippi River, the palisades are a one-of-a-kind set of geological features that are visible and accessible from the river. This has made the area incredibly popular for boating and canoeing, both for fishing and sightseeing. However, visitors should be careful if they decide to disembark, as some rock formations have been important enough to be designated U.S. National Landmarks.

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