"Should You Create a Bucket List for Your Pet? Exploring the Concept of 'Pets Only Live Once Too'"

YOLO.  Everyone knows what it means.  It has made its way around the world on t-shirts, coffee mugs, bumper stickers, etc.  The phrase that can almost sum up an entire generation….” you only live once”.  This phrase has helped many people carpe diem and take life by the horns.  This phrase has probably caused some irreparable damage to some as well.  I had a realization and felt like you needed to have one too.  Hear me out.

               Preface with: It was raining one day, and with the rain came mud.  My dogs seem to love nothing more than to find the biggest mud hole and cover themselves in it.  They will come to the door just as proud as peacocks covered in locks of mud, and them asking to come in.  Rainy days always result in a bath at the barn, because we let the dogs have their joy, but then we have to wash.  As my little doodle came to the door, muddy, tongue hanging out, soaking wet, my husband laughed and said, “she is living her best life”.  I immediately said “YOLO”, just kind of joking, but it made me sad.  All creatures, great and small, even those we don’t necessarily have fond feelings for, only have one life too.  They only get to experience this world once, just like we do. 

               This hit me so hard looking into the sweet eyes of my little dog that worships the ground we walk on.  That her entire day begins and ends with thoughts of us and wanting to be in our presence.  This is her life too.  She isn’t just here for my enjoyment, for my companionship, for my peace…. I am also her peace, and her companion, and she needs me to be involved in her existence and joy. 

               So, what does that mean?  As humans we have a responsibility to care for all the animals, it’s Biblical, it’s one of the reasons we were created.  Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.  And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”  Genesis 1:26 (ESV).  A lot of people look at dominion as control, and although that is the Webster definition of it, it also just means governing, to govern. Governing comes with a great responsibility, suddenly this removes the self-centered ideation of YOLO, because now someone else’s happiness and life is in our hands.  Now this sounds more like POLO (Pets only live once-too).  I’m not removing the fact that we also only live once, just we need to broaden our viewpoint. They need us for correction, guidance, and shelter, but they also need us for love, fun, joy, and peace.

               As a mother I have spent so many hours every day trying to make sure my daughter has memories that are worth something.  I have always tried to find something that I could bring magic into and make sure she was in awe of creation.  It didn’t matter how small, or how big, I was trying to make it magical.  What if we did that for everyone?  What if our goal in life was to make everyone’s and everything’s ONE life memorable and magical?  We, by association, would automatically upgrade our lives as well.  What if instead of tying your dog up and sitting inside watching TV, you played with them, or let them watch TV with you?  What if you let them make a mess occasionally?  What if you showed them the world?  What if you showed them different foods?  What if you did for them, what you do for yourself?  They have one life and theirs is much shorter than ours.  We can make space, memories, and magic together.  Give your pets a life worth living.  POLO!!

Below you will find a list of some dog friendly (outside patio) restaurants in Cleveland, TN.

I have also included some day activities to think about with your furry friends 😊.

Dog friendly restaurants:

• Aubreys:  https://aubreysrestaurants.com/cleveland/

• Champys:  https://champyschicken.com/

• Orange Leaf:  https://www.orangeleafyogurt.com/

• Baskin Robbins:  https://locations.baskinrobbins.com/tn/cleveland/3455-keith-st-nw-360867-br?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Yext

• Taziki’s:  https://www.tazikis.com/location/cleveland

Starbucks, Sonic, Lola Beans-all offer pup cups (if you know of others, let me know and I’ll add to the list).

Activities that your dog can be included:

• Any parks-dog parks or not.

• Hikes (there are many trails around here that offer different experience levels)

• Drive-In movie in Etowah.

• Go shopping for new toys-TJ Maxx, Home Goods, Pet Smart, Petco, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Tractor Supply, etc. (this is a long list surprisingly).

• Watch the sunset.

• Play in the rain.

• Chase bugs.

• Nap together.

• Buy the bones.  Buy the bed.  Buy the clothes.

• Let them on your furniture or buy them their own.

• Let them get dirty.

• We believe in bucket lists. Make a bucket list for your pet. This might include things like eating certain foods, visiting certain places, meeting certain people, learning certain skills, or maybe hiking certain trails.

• Allow them a vacation while you’re on vacation.  We all know not every location is dog friendly, that’s why we’re here.  We cater to all breeds, all temperaments, and all energy levels.  We offer mountain trail hikes, water play, camps, group play, sniff hunts, relaxation, spa services, baths (for those muddy days), bird observation windows, catio, and luxury condos.  We will let them be dogs, and cats, and live their best lives while you’re on vacation. Also, let us know if your pet has a bucket list item that we can help with. We would be honored, and we will take lots of pictures :).