9 Reasons Why Your Dog Should Be Your Valentine

Photo Courtesy of Veronique Schejtman

When it comes to Valentine's, I've yet to find a human who could match dogs and cats when it comes to real love. Those of you who know me, or have been reading this blog for awhile, know that I adore dogs and cats, puppies and kittens. They have made my life so much richer. There is nothing like the Human-Animal Bond. There's a good reason why I was invited to be one of the first layperson members of The American Association of Human-Animal Bond Veterinarians.

Photo Courtesy of Loren Jensen Carter

Usually, my blog is filled with helpful information for dog and cat owners, occasional reviews, and once in a very great while, something that's just plain fun.

With Valentine's Day a few days away, the nice people at HooplaHa (www.HooplaHa.com) have shared this compilation video. I don't know if there is also one for cat owners. Heaven knows, those of us who are owned by cats know all about the love, laughter and happiness they bring into our lives every single day.

Photo Courtesy of Claire Clayton

In celebration of Valentine's Day and the Human-Animal Bond, here's HooplaHa's video compilation of 9 Reasons Why Your Dog Should Be Your Valentine.  We can't give our four-legged companions chocolate but we can give them our love, attention and time. 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

"Meet Your Match" Pet for Valentine's Day

Everyone needs someone to love who will love them in return. For so many of us, love walks into our lives and straight into our hearts on four furry feet. For those of you who are thinking of added a companion to your life, The ASPCA has a neat new event just in time for Valentine's Day; a live-streamed Dating Show called, "Meet Your Match."  

Here's how it works:

Presenting some of the most eligible pets who want to find their forever homes, the event will begin at 6 p.m., February 12th, EST at http://www.ustream.tv/aspca and will feature an ASPCA behavior person who will serve as the "Relationship Expert" answering viewers' questions about their pets. Viewers can vote for their favorite most adoptable pet on ASPCA's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/aspca).

In conjunction with the live-stream Dating Show, there will be a live Twitter party. (Here's a link to tell you how to join a Twitter party in case you're not familiar with it: http://blog.aspca.org/content/how-heck-do-i-join-twitter-party) The hashtag for the Twitter Party will be: #PuppyLove which sums it up pretty nicely.  To add to the fun, the Twitter Party will feature quizzes about legendary animal/human couples.  The Twitter Party is intended to spread adoption awareness which is always a good thing.

The ASPCA is doing something extra nice for my readers for Valentine's Day in conjunction with this wonderful event; they will send one lucky winner a super Gift Pack consisting of:

A Pugs and Roses Tee from David & Goliath
A Valentine's Day Heart Collar
ASPCA Tote
ASPCA Orange T-Shirt
Walker's Shortbread Cookies
ASPCA Orange wristband
ASPCA Magnet

That's quite a windfall for any pet owner! To enter the contest, send me a message via my website: http://www.darlenearden.com and tell me why you want to win. I'll select a winner on February 13th so hurry and get your entries in!

If you want to add a pet to your life be sure you have the time to spend with your companion and that includes positive training and daily exercise. Also be sure that you can afford food, regular veterinary check-ups and put aside a little extra every week in a special account in case there's an emergency later on.  

Valentine's Day is a great time to think about sharing love and giving a shelter pet a new leash on life.

 Note:  I am not a paid spokesperson for the ASPCA. They are providing the gift pack to one winner. I am helping spread the word about this wonderful event in the hope that at least one shelter pet will get a forever home because someone somewhere was inspired by reading this.