What have you done for me lately?

I talk to my friend about dogs and more and more, I realize that a lot of the attraction with pets is egotistical, selfish even. What they do for US. How they make US feel. Even how they look or how people may compliment how they look - we're the ones getting the benefits of it.

So I'm wondering... What have you done for your pet lately that was purely about them? Things that they get the benefits of, not you? Or maybe something that you get mutual pleasure from but they enjoy it more than you do?

I'll start with one... When I bring them to work, I play the "search" game with them. I hide pieces of treats around the office and at the end of the search trail, I have a stuffed Kong and a treat ball as a reward for them.

Re: What have you done for me lately?

We take them to the park a few times a week...if i make eggs for breakfast they always get some pieces. I always look at my babies and think of how much joy they bring Dh & me...and want them to have the happiest life they can!

Re: What have you done for me lately?

Sooo many things. The playdates are definitely a big one though. I love to watch him with other dogs but he just loves being around other dogs so much that I feel he needs that interaction. I also took him to the park before we went out for Father's Day to do something for him before we left. I make him his own food because I feel it benefits him even though it is totally gross to me. We'll go for a walk even though I am exhausted and lazy because I know it makes him happy. I could probably go on and on. He's so spoiled!

ETA I just ordered flavored bubbles for him the other day so he doesn't have to chase the yucky soap ones! LOL

Message edited 6/23/2010 2:42:07 PM.

Re: What have you done for me lately?

We take them for a long walk or run every. single. day. It technically benefits all of us, but on the days when it's cold, rainy, or we have to get up early to walk because we've got somewhere to go the whole rest of the day and we really don't feel like it, we do it anyway for their sake.

And we let them snuggle with us on the bed if we watch TV in the bedroom at night - we hate having dog hair on the comforter and it gets pretty uncomfortable when they stretch out and kick and lay on us - but they LOVE it

Re: What have you done for me lately?

All my time at home is usually devoted to Maggie.... 2 - 3 walks, lots of playtime in the yard, interacting in the house... I love how much she loves being with me

Re: What have you done for me lately?

My poor little Sushi Girl is getting her food stolen by bully Miso, so in the late evennings, I give her a special serving of wet food and "stand" (I'm actually on all fours ) guard over her. My loving bully, while hates sitting on your lap, LOVES to be held. I try to make sure that every headbutt gets a pickup even if its just for a minute

Both of my kitties love chasing da Bird with the sparkler attachment and I make sure that each of them get equal time with it (they are just now tolerating each other but not at the point of playing with each other).

Each of them have such different personalities and different needs that I make a point to give them each something special each day.

Re: What have you done for me lately?

I take Rocky to the dog park almost every day! He absolutely loves it but honestly i think i take him there because it tires him out and calms him down so i can relax after work lol. I also bought him a kiddie pool to play in. My husband thinks im crazy.

Re: What have you done for me lately?

i filled up hershey's doggie pool yesterday when i got home from work since it was SOOOO hot out! he loves when i throw the ball in the pool so he can run & jump in and splash around!

Re: What have you done for me lately?

My dog is obsessed with playing with sticks in the backyard (despite the tons of toys he has inside). Every single day, DH and/or I make it a point to take him out a few times a day and throw the stick around. He gets great exercise running around our big backyard, but I can also tell that he's having the best time. He doesn't stop wagging his tail the entire time. Even when he gets a little tired and lays down in the grass, his tail keeps wagging. I love that he's happy!

Re: What have you done for me lately?

We do everything for Dallas!! We plan our days off around activities that Dallas can attend- parks etc. Now that Dallas is going to be a big brother we have been doing extra things for him!

Re: What have you done for me lately?

right now i am caring for stubby (upper resp infection that is horrible with ear and eye infection) so i stay in the steam shower with her in this heat, put 7 different pills, ointmnets, washes on her twice sometimes three times a day. Hold her like a baby and rock her. Then we have Haley who is screaming for attention so i have to then put stubs to sleep and pick haley up nad play with her, entertain her. I think honestly when they are even healthy its all about them (come home to play with them 2 hours at a time) have them sleep with us and cuddle with us, etc.

Re: What have you done for me lately?

We spoil Amber completely - in all the GOOD ways. She gets three walks a day (even when I would really love to get some extra sleep in the morning), playdates, we take her just about any and everywhere she is welcome, she has special cuddle time with me, and special playtime with my husband, and everyone who comes to the house loves her so she is always the center of attention!

Re: What have you done for me lately?

Kitties get turkey..they love turkey.

Izzy loves to cuddle and get belly rubs.

Bella loves her daddy's attention on a towel on our kitchen counter. That's her roost!

Izzy sleeps with me but hates kisses on the head so I kiss him on the back of his neck.

They love going out in the yard and we let them out supervised. Izzy plays fetch with a stick. Now that's funny.