A Dog’s Bucket List – everyday living we should cherish..
The phrase “bucket list” gets thrown around a lot these days, but few actually take the time to draft a list of their own, or to help out with someone else’s. It’s understandable; the idea is bittersweet, to say the least, and few are comfortable with devoting so much thought to the big, mysterious end. But we all want our loved ones to get a chance to live life to the fullest, and we all have dreams that we’ve never had the chance to make real.
So why not make a bucket list for your dog? Dogs have the clear advantage of not dwelling on their own mortality, and they tend to be pretty clear in showing you what they love (regardless of your efforts to train them out of it!). And while every dog has its own unique pleasures, many would probably admit to some common favorites.
The time is unfortunately rife for a “bucket list” discussion, as our beloved pet icon and Animal Fair’s little Lucky Diamond lost her battle with spleen cancer! We will always have Lucky in our hearts, soul and inspiration for Animal Fair Media. While we all hoped and did everything we can to keep Lucky alive and healthy, we tried (hard) to bring some levity to the situation by creating a dog’s bucket list. Expectedly, it revolves largely around the centerpieces of a pooch’s life: eating, playing, drinking and sleeping. Here’s what we came up with for our beloved Lucky!
1. Being able to roam freely through the streets of the city or countryside without being tethered to a pesky leash. That doesn’t mean Lucky wouldn’t want her pet parent with her, though! Lucky always loves the companionship.
2. Having a personal chef cook and serve filet mignon with a favorite veggie each and every day. And for a treat – whatever Lucky wants! Organic, unseasoned steak or hamburger? That smells pretty good, and I even think vets would agree!
3. Giving pet parent commands for a change, such as, “Don’t eat that!” or “Please get off the couch with your dirty hands.” “Fetch, fetch – you can do it (after the 100th time)!” It’d be a fun time, but eventually Lucky would come around and want to spend time with Wendy.
4. Strutting into the dog run as the “Alpha Dog” to all other canines running, and being able to mark my territory on every tree or bench without constant sniffing, barking or interference. Now THAT would be a dog’s life.
5. Pet jet-setting around the globe and staying at the finest pet-friendly hotels, catering to dogs with daily massages and fine foods.
6. Hanging with my favorite pooch posse and owning the streets.
7. Never having to bathe again!
8. Finding a loving home for every homeless animal in the world …
9. Maybe spend an entire day awake? Lucky would accomplish so much more than she already has! Nah…Scratch that.
10. Speaking of scratching that. What about a day of non-stop belly scratching and rubbing? Lucky’s rolling over just thinking about it.
10. A meat scavenger course, where Lucky would be allowed to follow her nose and sniff to a lucky prize at the end… treats, bones and rawhide, of course!
There you are—a doggy’s bucket list that probably no dog could pass up… well, certainly not Lucky.
Over a decade ago my world changed when I adopted Lucky, an utterly sweet, funny and loving pup. In 1999, I founded the premiere pet lifestyle media company, Animal Fair Media, with the sole mission of promoting fairness to animals and rescue (successful so far…the number of animals euthanized in shelters has dropped from 12 million yearly to 5 million!).
Thank you Lucky for inspiring and making me the Luckiest Person in the world.
For the Best the Pet Lifestyle and animal welfare has to offer follow Wendy Diamond on Facebook, Twitter, and right here at AnimalFair.com!
Originally published on Animal Fair, June 2013.
