Ah, Valentine’s Day. A day for lovers and candies and cheesy Vermont Teddy Bears. A day for teenagers flush with first love to nervously make reservations at Olive Garden, grade-schoolers to anxiously choose the least mushy classroom Valentines exchange cards, and men the world over to grumble at the price gouging at the florist while simultaneously knowing they have no choice in the matter unless they want to sleep on the couch for a month.
It’s the lack of sincerity that makes it so schmaltzy for me, personally. If you’re not a romantic the other 364 days of the year, showing up with a Snoopy card and a Whitman’s sampler making googly eyes smacks more of rote formatting/ scared of consequences than of actually being, you know, overcome with the Valentine’s spirit or whatnot.
Now celebrating it with a pet is another story. There is nothing insincere about their genuine exuberant affections on Valentine’s Day, since of course they have no clue it is a holiday and are doing exactly what they do every other day of the year- ie love you unconditionally and without bounds. As any guy who ever ruthlessly used his dog as a wing-man will tell you, dogs are the original Cupid. Happy with a pet on the head and an extra treat at the end of the day.
I wasn’t planning on getting Brody anything specific, per se, but now that the day is bearing down on me I feel the need to make some sort of gesture (which will probably be a long walk or a big bully stick). I’m still debating. So help me out- who’s doing a pet V-Day present? What are you giving your ever adoring fluffball?
I do get Murphy a Valentine’s gift. He is getting probably a stuffed toy because he almost loves getting a new toy as much as he loves going for walks. I also want to try to get to our mall to buy a few gourmet dog cookies for him. He loves those, too! 🙂
I am giving my one sweet Mini cat a bit of tuna and a new fuzzy blanket placed by her fave heat vent and my snorty Magoo a new pillow and pillow case to sleep on. He sleeps on a pillow above my head every night and his pillow is getting a bit flat. And all the love they can handle.
I’ll go the extra mile and do exactly as they all ask: the cats will get fed when they want to eat, not when I want to feed them; the dog will go outside 97 times instead of the usual 87; the burros will get an extra 10 minutes of butt scratches; the pig will get the entire apple instead of having to share it with the horses; and the horses will get extra carrots. And I will get to sit back and watch them all be happy.
Our dog will get a heart shaped cake from our local pet bakery as well as a new toy that he can lovingly rip to shreds. Then there’s always the chance of walk by belly rubs, a game of fetch and/or tug-of-war with a side of feet licking!
Hoping to get down to Three Dog Bakery and pick up a special cookie or cupcake for Clyde. Alley will just get extra snuggles and maybe an extra dried salmon treat because she has a more sensitive stomach. I *love* what you said about your pets treating you you the same as they do every other day of the year – so true!
I’m probably the worse Pet mommy ever, but we’re going out of town on V-Day. However, I will be getting my sweet fur baby several heart shaped toys to destroy between the petsitter visits.
I ordered Madison a whole case of her fav cheesy dog biscuits. Now what to get the husband……. You can see who comes first in our house! 🙂
I don’t quite know what I’m getting Pru and the kitties yet, but I have planned a visit to the pawesome dog store in our ‘hood just for this occasion. I’m thinking a scrumptious can of cat food for the kitties (because toys just get horded by the spoiled brat dog) and maybe a toy for Pru, but dog knows her toy box is already full. Maybe a chewy, she does love her cow trachea.
Oh! And I’m making extra special valentines for Pru to hand out to all of her local friends. 🙂 Totally stole the idea from a friend who makes cards for her dog to “hand out” for every holiday.
Yup yup, Fanny’s getting a brand new collar/halter and a nice big doggie treat! She’ll probably end up picking her own– the ever-popular bully stick or knuckle-bone that is bigger than her head. 🙂
I thought about torturing Cookie with a bath since I usually do that on her birthday. 😉 But she’ll get her usual extra special treats. She’s already pretty well spoiled by sleeping the bed, having her own couch cushion and getting veggies and yogurt for breakfast and dinner every day. Just another day in the Chile household. 🙂
Walks , toys , baths , treats , playtime and cuddles. 🙂
What to get t he husband , well I have to think about that 🙂
Mayb he should get the same thing … ??? Naaahhh LOL
For Starr, it’s usually a trip to Brooklyn to see the love of her life, who moved out there. All 160lbs of him! Buddha is a Dogue de Bourdeaux.
Oops! Typo! Bordeaux! Frenchmen are the best V-Day dates. For Starlet at least. : ) (She told me to fix this spelling).