Running wide open, legs churning, tail flopping, head held high, Boston, my black Labrador retriever, sped around our big backyard carrying his favorite red ball in his mouth.

He zoomed right up to me, special delivery handing up the ball to complete his half of the game of catch. Boston in full flower at full speed is a treat to watch.

We owned this house long before we got Boston to complete our little family four years ago and had no previous use for the broad spaces of the backyard. He knew exactly what to do with all of that acreage, though, taking command as king of the yard, each morning sniffing around the edges in case there had been overnight trespassers, such as rabbits.

I spray throws of the ball to all corners and Boston pounces, displaying stunningly swift reactions with his feet on the short ones and running down the long ones. Sometimes, I say he could be the all-star third baseman for the American League because the ball never eludes him and he makes sharp fielding play after an impressive grab.

I only learned a couple of nights ago there is such a thing as National Black Dog Day in America. It is always National Black Dog Day at our house. Boston is the most aggressively affectionate dog I have seen. He snuggles up, aches for hugs and pets, licks faces and raises his paws to return hugs.

He came to us from Cincinnati Lab Rescue, a previously unwanted dog. My wife, Debra, always says he picked us out. The like was mutual. He was the last guy we saw, and he rode home from Ohio to southern Indiana with us.

To our surprise, we soon learned Boston practically never barks. Once a month, tops. If he does, we come running because we figure something must be wrong. Boston excels at eating and is well-supplied with snacks, especially peanut butter, and a mix of highlight dog foods. He also is outstanding at cat naps, though that mixed-species metaphor would probably bug him.

There are way more dogs in this country looking for homes than there are homeowners wanting to adopt. There are also cruel dog owners who abandon pets in the street. However, life is even more demanding for black dogs. Seriously. As if fur color should matter. Boston had no comment on this issue, merely licked my hand and wagged his tail.

If Boston and his 60 pounds of muscle were entered in a Mr. America dog contest, he would win Mr. Congeniality. Yet there is anti-black dog prejudice out there.

Just as Americans continue to come to terms with people of different skin tones from theirs, that unease appears to trickle down to views of dogs, too. Labs are pretty much the most loyal, friendly and appealing companions in the dog world, and they come in a mix of colors, such as chocolate labs and silver labs. Black is a standard.

While I am no true judge, Boston has many times been described as a handsome dog. When we walk him in public, he (or we) often receives compliments about his stylish looks. Hasn’t happened since last evening when a bicycle rider said, “Nice pupper.” Boston did not blush.

So Oct. 1 each year since 2011 has become National Black Dog Day (yes, there is a Black Cat Appreciation Day, cats of that persuasion being in more dire need of anti-superstition publicity). So-called Black Dog Syndrome is about awareness, informing people black dogs are four times more likely to be passed over for adoption than dogs of other colors.

There are even posts online showing cute little black dogs with statements attributed to them, such as, “No one loves me … I need a loving home … Will you adopt me?” And another, “They hate me because I am black.”

Some theorize the portrayal of black dogs on television and in movies has created an image they are violent, and that contributes to the aversion to adopting black dogs and their higher rate of euthanasia in shelters.

Boston can be like a petulant little kid at times, insisting on more food, signaling he must go outside now, practically pushing us to the floor. He may not be perfect, but he is a great dog, and we are lucky we found each other.

Lew Freedman is a reporter for The Tribune. Send comments to [email protected].