by Kelsey Warren-Bryant
“Carpe diem,” “Seize the moment,” and “You only live once
(YOLO)”— they are phrases crafted through time with the simple purpose of reminding us that life is short, and it’s best to make the most of it. This ideal of living is what inspires us to make bucket lists. Bucket lists help us to visualize what we really want out of life. They inspire us to work to achieve our goals. When they are kept in the forefront of our minds, they help us to not get hung up on the little and inevitable inconveniences in life.
Whereas our own lives are short, those of our precious fur babies are even shorter. It’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily living and take the time we have with our fur babies for granted. They follow us to the door when we leave the house in the morning. When we come back. they are always waiting for
us, a comfort and a constant in what is often a rather chaotic life.
The sad fact is, though, our dogs do age. We as dog owners live knowing that at some point, that happy face we’ve grown so accustomed to will not be waiting for us at the door. Creating a pet bucket list is a simple way to help your pup get the most experiences out of life while also creating fond memories for both of you for years to come. A bucket list should be tailored specifically to your dog’s personality and temperament, but if you need help getting started, here are a few ideas you can add to your list.
1 Visit a Dog-Friendly Patio
Is your dog friendly with other pets and
people? If so, visiting a dog-friendly patio might be a great addition to your bucket list. Many dog-friendly patios will set out water bowls for your dog, and some even
have special dog menus. After her water and snack, your dog can bathe in the warm sun while watching people bustle in and out of the restaurant. If that sounds like a good fit for your pup, there are many dog-friendly patios in Tulsa. Some of those include Polo Grill, Dalesandro’s, Andolini’s Pizzeria, and Baxter’s Interurban Grill, to name a few.
2 Hit the Trails
If you have an active dog who loves
to explore the surroundings, hiking might be a great addition to your bucket list. The Bison Trail in Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge or the Easy Urban Trail along the Arkansas River in Tulsa are a couple of dog-friendly trails to visit. Before you go, consider taking it a step farther and setting up a tent or renting a dog-friendly cabin in the area. Your dog is sure to appreciate the vacation.
3 Throw a Canine Birthday Party
You’ve likely seen other people post
pictures on social media of celebrating their dogs’ birthdays, and if not, you’re probably familiar with the concept. Why not go all out yourself this year just to show your pup a little extra love? While you’re at it, snap some cute birthday photos.
A canine birthday party can be whatever you want it to be. You can invite other people and their dogs, or you can keep it intimate. You can bake a special dog-friendly cake or just give your pooch some extra-special treats. You can stay at home or take her somewhere that you know she will enjoy. However you choose to celebrate it, just make it all about your dog, and you will create memories to last a lifetime.
4 Grab a Puppuccino
Probably one of the easiest and least
expensive items on this list is taking your dog out for a puppuccino, which can be a fun and rare treat. It’s simple too. Just let your pup hop in the car, go through a Starbucks drive-through, and ask for a puppucinno. It’s really just a cup of whipped cream, but how often do our dogs get to try the sugary good foods that we have on
a regular basis? It’s hilarious to watch dogs messily lap up the cream!
5 Stay at a Pet-Friendly Hotel
If it’s within your means, booking a
pet-friendly hotel on your next trip and taking your dog along could be a great way to bring some extra excitement into her life (an added bonus is that you don’t have to pay for a dog sitter). Of course, keep your dog’s temperament in mind. If she is prone to anxious behaviors when away from home or if she is not a fan of other dogs, this might not be the activity for you. However, if she is usually well behaved in public, then why not give it a shot? She will probably love those soft hotel sheets just as much as you do.
6 Have a Treat Tasting
For humans, tastings exist for just
about anything we can think of. One fun idea to add to your dog’s bucket list could be to offer her a treat tasting. The idea is to gather small samples of many kinds of treats from your local pet store or supermarket and spread them on a plate for your dog to try. You can offer them all at once, but your dog would probably gobble up all of them in seconds, so feeding them
individually might be more enjoyable. To spice things up, you can add dog-friendly human foods to the mix, such as a spoonful of peanut butter or a slice of carved turkey. When you’re done, set up a tasting for yourself as well. You’ve been working hard on achieving the goals of your dog’s bucket list, after all. You deserve a treat!
7 Go on a Road Trip
There’s nothing like traveling the open
road, the wind in your hair, your favorite tunes blasting on the radio. Best friends make road trips all the better, and so what if your best friend has four paws and a tail? This suggestion can easily be combined with some of the previous ones, but as with everything on this list, keep in mind your pup’s individual needs. A senior dog with arthritis or a puppy who has barely learned his bathroom routine might do best sitting this one out.
A bucket list is a great way to create special memories with you and your dog. With just a pen and a little thought, you can be one step closer to making your pup’s life just that much more special. And even if you don’t achieve all the items on the list, when it comes to improving the quality of our pets’ lives, isn’t the effort always worth it?
