Matilda Day
Matilda Day
Matilda Day is January 17, a day when Matilda's family everywhere can choose a local shelter or rescue in their community and give in her honor, especially to help senior dogs.
Every year I have honored Matilda with a fundraiser to support senior dogs in Austin, Texas.
This year I'm inviting everyone to celebrate Matilda Day by giving to senior pups in any shelter you choose, anywhere in the world.
Austin Pets Alive! Matilda Day
January 17, 2026
As a former stray pup herself, Matilda was a big fan of Austin Pets Alive!, the wonderful shelter in her beloved hometown. Every year on Matilda Day, APA! has celebrated Matilda's legacy with a fundraising campaign in her honor. Learn how you can support so many beautiful pups looking for their forever homes.
Matilda's Story
When my beloved girl passed away on January 17, 2023, she had just turned 18.
She lived the fullest, most joyful life. Holding her as she sighed her last breath was the hardest, most peaceful, and sacred moment of my life.
People from all over the world sent many thousands of messages of condolence, an outpouring of love that astonished me. Within days, they raised $22K for Austin Pets Alive!
I decided to create Matilda Day on January 17 every year as a way to honor her life and helped senior dogs in her memory.
Matilda's
Adventures
Matilda came to me when she was 6-7 months old. I found her hiding under my house in rural Texas. She was extremely shy, but already so attentive to me. We quickly became best friends. For 18 years, she lived so joyfully and adventurously. She journeyed across five deserts on two continents, crossed paths with elephants and zebras in Botswana, coyotes and moose in Colorado, and armadillos and bobcats in Texas. She played in the surf of three seas, hiked to alpine lakes in the Rocky Mountains, crossed the Rio Grande, and kayaked Lady Bird Lake. She climbed boulders in Joshua Tree, ran the beaches of Big Sur, played among the giants of Sequoia, and perched on the edge of the Grand Canyon. For all her travels, Matilda loved the Texas Hill Country, especially in the spring, when the fields were painted with bluebonnets and all the wildflowers of the rainbow.
Matilda Day
Becomes Official
In 2023, when Matilda died, so many of you helped me. Your love for her, your beautiful words of condolence and care, were like gifts. I learned to grieve without suffering, remembering the joy of her life.
Thank you for caring about Matilda, the stray pup who found her way to my porch and heart for 18 years. Thank you for loving all the dogs and thank you for creating a fund in her memory.
In 2025, the City of Austin, Texas officially proclaimed January 17 as Matilda Day, a day to honor and support senior dogs in animal shelters.
Matilda Day: By the Numbers
2023
$21,000 raised
for Austin Pets Alive!
2024
$20,000 raised
for Austin Pets Alive!
2025
$14,000 raised
for Austin Pets Alive!
Why Senior Dogs?
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), senior dogs in shelters have a significantly lower adoption rate than younger dogs. While younger dogs have about a 60% adoption rate, senior dogs have an adoption rate of only 25%, meaning they face the risk of euthanasia or never finding a loving home. Senior dogs deserve their second chance, their forever family, and their own field of bluebonnets.
Contact
Get in Touch
For any inquiries or assistance related to Matilda Day, feel free to reach out to us. We appreciate your support and commitment to helping senior dogs find loving homes.
