OkcPets Magazine January 2023

14 OKC Pets • January / February 2023 “C arpe diem,” “Seize the mo- ment,” and “You only live once (YOLO)”— they are phrases crafted through time with the simple purpose of reminding us that life is short, and it’s best to make the most of it. This ideal of living is what inspires us to make bucket lists. Bucket lists help us to visu- alize what we really want out of life. They inspire us to work to achieve our goals. When they are kept in the forefront of our minds, they help us to not get hung up on the little and inevitable inconveniences in life. Whereas our own lives are short, those of our precious fur babies are even shorter. It’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily living and take the time we have with our fur babies for granted. They follow us to the door when we leave the house in the morning. When we come back. they are always waiting for us, a comfort and a constant in what is often a rather chaotic life. The sad fact is, though, our dogs do age. We as dog owners live knowing that at some point, that happy face we’ve grown so accustomed to will not be waiting for us at the door. Creating a pet bucket list is a simple way to help your pup get the most experiences out of life while also creating fond memories for both of you for years to come. A bucket list should be tailored specifically to your dog’s personal- ity and temperament, but if you need help getting started, here are a few ideas you can add to your list. 1 Visit a Dog-Friendly Patio Is your dog friendly with other pets and people? If so, visiting a dog-friendly pa- tio might be a great addition to your bucket list. Many dog-friendly patios will set out water bowls for your dog, and some even have special dog menus. After her water and snack, your dog can bathe in the warm sun while watching people bustle in and out of the restaurant. If that sounds like a good fit for your pup, there are many dog-friendly patios in the Oklahoma City metro. Some of those include Ted’s Tacos and Cantina, Interurban, and Café do Brasil, to name a few. 2 Hit the Trails If you have an active dog who loves to explore the surroundings, hiking might be a great addition to your bucket list. The Bison Trail in Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge or the Easy Urban Trail along the Arkansas River in Tulsa are a couple of dog-friendly trails to visit. Before you go, consider taking it a step farther and setting up a tent or renting a dog-friendly cabin in the area. Your dog is sure to appre- ciate the vacation. Seven Fun Ideas for You and Your Canine Companion by Kelsey Warren-Bryant DOGGIE Bucket List A woman and her dog look out onto the horizon on a crisp winter morning. Our time with our dogs is short, and a bucket list is one way to make the most of it.