It's National Dog Day Friday: How to celebrate your pooch in Philly

They bring us friendship when we need a pal. Sloppy smooches when we're feeling down. Encouragement to walk around. And an endless abundance of love and smiles. It's no wonder that dogs are often touted as (wo)man's best friend. In fact, it's a scientific fact that pets make us happier and, as many studies show, healthier, too. Friday marks National Dog Day, a call for celebration to show your pup what he or she means to you. Here are some ways to fete your pooch.

Is there anything a dog loves more than snooping around with his pals at the park? For a real outdoor treat for your Frisbee-loving playmate, take a ride to Jersey, where multi-acre parks abound. (Plus, we bet Fido will love sticking his head out the window on the ride over.)

One of our top picks is South Jersey's Timber Creek Park (1731 Chews Landing Rd., Blackwood), housing a full nine-acre dog park inside of its 60-acre wooded walking grounds. Leashed dogs are permitted on the trails, so consider heading out for a long stroll before hitting the fenced puppy park area for some fetch and no-leash playtime. As an added bonus, there's a pet-friendly lake here for furry friends with an appetite for swimming.

A little farther north, find Pennington Park (801 Creek Rd., Delanco), perfect for small-dog owners wary of letting their pooches play with the big guys. This 140-acre haven also provides plenty of trails for walking, along with two designated dog parks - one each for larger and smaller canines.

Food is undoubtedly the way to a dog's heart, and after hitting the park, your pup will surely be ready to chow down. Rather than reach for an ordinary bone, use National Dog Day to grab something a little more gourmet from a specialty store.

Near Rittenhouse, find Just Dogs & Cats (1700 Sansom St., 215-988-9876), a "bakery" that offers an array of specialized cakes and bones, including items like peanut butter carrot bone cake, double-dipped peanut butter bone, and other edibles that sound almost tasty enough for you. The store has options for the savory-inclined tail-wagger as well, like the Yappy Meal, equipped with a Tailhouse "burger," cheddar cheese "fries," and a toy.

Want to go all-out with a personalized cake? At Amelie's Bark Shop (1544 E. Passyunk Ave., 215-758-6151), call at least two days ahead, and you can devise a fully customized doggy cake - from the flavor to the number of layers to the icing-drawn image of, perhaps, a pair of smelly shoes on top.

What could be more fun for Fido than the chance to hang out with friends, play with an endless supply of toys, enjoy a chase-inducing, pulsating light show, and savor doggy doughnuts, all in one spot? Northern Liberties' Zoom Room (180 W. Girard Ave., 267-825-7375) lets you design a private party just for your pup. The best part? Zero cleanup.

You needn't prevent your favorite four-legged family member from joining in at dinnertime. Tons of restaurants in the region invite you to pull your pup up to the table. There's East Passyunk's Paradiso (1627 E. Passyunk Ave., 215-271-2066), serving biscuits to visiting furry friends. At Rouge (205 S. 18th St., 215-732-6622), you can enjoy a killer burger al fresco as your dog relishes complimentary treats and fresh water. Get decadent at Shake Shack, where you can order yourself a shake and your dog the Pooch-ini (2000 Sansom St.; 3200 Chestnut St.; 160 N. Gulph Rd., Suite 233, King of Prussia), consisting of dog biscuits lathered with peanut butter sauce and vanilla custard.

Tons of area shelters and organizations have volunteer programs where you can do everything from dog-walking to dog-training to dog-photo-taking, and, of course, get in a ton of pup-petting time. These include ACCT Philly, theMorris Animal Refuge, the Red Paw Emergency Relief Team, Animal Welfare Association New Jersey, South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter, and thePennsylvania SPCA. If you're into running, check out the Monster Milers, a jogging club that pairs runners with adoptable dogs from partner shelters.