Thread by @Humanists_UK

It’s #internationaldogday! So what better way to celebrate than a mega-thread featuring prominent & historic humanists and their canine companions? Let us begin. Here's British philosopher and humanist Bertrand Russell, sharing a lovely moment with his dog.

Einstein was profoundly involved in the humanist movement on both sides of the Atlantic. He also worked with Bertrand Russell to write the Einstein-Russell manifesto which called for peace during the Cold War. It's quite nice to see him here having a break. #internationaldogday

This one comes from our #HumanistHeritage project. Florence Dixie was a war correspondent, suffragist, & traveller who threw off the restraints of Victorian domesticity. She was a humanist, & also had a St Bernard called Hubert. Shout out to Hubert. #Internationaldogday

Can you guess who that is? It's a young Carl Sagan! He would of course go on to become one of the world's most beloved humanists & cosmologists, inspiring generations of budding scientists through his series 'Cosmos'. His childhood dog is pretty neat, too. #internationaldogday

Here's a rather serious (and hilarious) book cover featuring British philosopher and humanist A.J. Ayer and his Jack Russell. Ayer was our President 1965-1970. His talks, lectures, and interviews on philosophy are well worth a watch! #internationaldogday

Ethel Smyth – English composer, humanist, and member of the women's suffrage movement, pictured here with her friend Marco! #HumanistHeritage #internationaldogday

Standing left-right: Jacques Lacan, Cécile Éluard, Pierre Reverdy, Louise Leiris, Pablo Picasso, Zanie de Campan, Valentine Hugo, Simone de Beauvoir, Brassaï. Sitting, left-right: Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, Michel Leiris, Jean Aubier.

Existentialist dog #internationaldogday

The American humanist Kurt Vonnegut once wrote: 'It's a terrible waste to be happy & not notice it'. With that in mind – it would be a terrible waste to not tweet this picture of Kurt, looking very happy next to a tiny dog. #Internationaldogday

Sigmund Freud analysing his dog. Freud was a lifelong atheist & like humanists today, emphasised the ultimate power of careful observation, open discussion, and rational thought. #HumanistHeritage #InternationalDogDay
heritage.humanists.uk/sigmund-freud/

We can't forget this picture of our patron @stephenfry looking smart as ever, with this tiny Jack Russel on the beach. This, surely, is a brilliant timeline cleanser if there ever was one. Hooray for #Internationaldogday!

Another patron photo! Sandi Toksvig enjoying the company of this fluffy pup. If you'd like to join Sandi & learn about humanism, you can do it now via our 'Introducing humanism' course. The dog does not feature in it, though. #InternationalDogDay futurelearn.com/courses/introd…

Our President, @theAliceRoberts, with her beautiful dog Lupa. Pictured: Lupa's first trip to the beach. Happy #InternationalDogDay, Alice!

Our patron @AdamRutherford relaxing by the fire, reading #TheLittleBookofHumanism accompanied by his greyhound. Happy #internationaldogday, Adam! If anyone wants to relax by the fire with The Little Book of Humanism, you can order a copy here: humanists.uk/2020/08/20/lit…

And of course, we have to include Juno. Our Chief Executive, @andrewcopson's dog! Here's Juno doing her part to promote #TheLittleBookofHumanism. If you want to order a copy, you can buy one here. #Internationaldogday

humanists.uk/2020/08/20/lit…

The Dog Delusion: Dawkins & Dog. #InternationalDogDay

Honourable mention: Our sorely missed patron Terry Pratchett. Here he is, holding a massive bottle of champagne, in a field, next to a pig called Snuff in promotion of his book of the same name. #Internationalpigday

Juno, @andrewcopson's dog, is quite the celebrity here at Humanists UK. Here she is holding the fort at our London office, campaigning for more treats. She's here to wish you all a very happy #InternationalDogDay!

And perhaps this lovely quote to end on, by Charles Darwin.