Meet The 8 Cutest Dogs In L.A.

There are only so many magical moments during a journalist's career when he or she can be on a photo shoot with the most in-demand models, wearing the latest fashions straight from the runway. This was not that shoot. Yet somehow, it was better.

In case you didn't know, today is National Mutts Day, and we're taking it very seriously. So much that we cast eight of L.A.'s cutest mixed-breeds, rescues, and utterly charming former strays for a fashion shoot with doggy designs from our favorite local pet boutiques. Yes, you read that correctly: Get ready for cute dogs wearing collars and clothes straight from L.A.'s coolest pet-accessory designers.

And of course, each set of four legs (and one inseparable doggy duo) comes with a heartwarming story of how they beat the odds and ended up in a loving SoCal home. According to the ASPCA, approximately 3.9 million dogs enter shelters each year in the U.S., and around 1.2 million of those are euthanized. That's about one third.

Need even more proof that adopting is the way to go? Just click through our slideshow for the best seven reasons you've ever seen to pass on the pet store.