The Lonely Hearts Club
This Valentine’s Day, there are members of the NHS Lonely Hearts Club waiting patiently to find their forever homes. These pets are the ones that have been with us the longest, are recovering from medical issues or recent surgeries, are simply too stressed or sad for the shelter environment or are in the greatest need of your help right now.
If you are looking to make a match made in heaven this Valentine’s Day, consider adoption a present to both the pet you are rescuing and yourself. Neither of you will have to be alone any longer.
Reasons to Spoil your Pet this Valentine’s Day
Whether you just adopted or have known each other for years now, it is always a good time to spend time together! When thinking of spoiling your valentine this year, don’t forget to include the furry ones that you love. “Spoiling” your pet can go many ways, and each pet parent has their own take on how they might want to show their pet some extra affection. Whether it be treats, cuddles, or a brand new toy, think about how you can give back to your pet this Valentine’s holiday. After all, having them in your life can bring you extra comfort and joy!
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association “The human-animal bond is a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and animals that is influenced by behaviors essential to the health and wellbeing of both.” Many studies have also shown that positive relationships between canines and people create positive emotions in both the dog and the person. This is due to the release of oxytocin in the brain. Owning any pet has positive affects on your mental and physical health, such as cats are known to reduce stress levels in people reduce risk of heart problems.
Picking out that perfect gift
In order to help you get inspired and get your creativity flowing, we compiled a list of ideas that might help you head in the right direction!
Make them a delicious treat. You can find tons of recipes on our blog as well as online such as dog safe cookies, cupcakes and biscuits that you can bake right at home with them. That way you can spend time together while making something yummy to eat. You might find that you two have a common love language – food!
Pick up a new outfit for them. Other pets might be way more interested in this idea than others. You might be “fashion-forward” but your dog may hate getting dressed up for occasions. Based on their comfort level, this might be a great time to pick up some cute accessories including leashes, collars, or bows.
Donate to Nevada Humane Society on their behalf. Help the pets at NHS get the care and treatment that they need while they wait at the shelter to find their forever home. Show your pet your memo that you wrote specially for them when you gave back to pets in need.
Get them pampered. What better day than now to help them look and feel their best. Take them to get groomed at their favorite spot so that their teeth are feeling fresh, their fur can be looking shiny and their nails will be prepped and glossy. If you aren’t able to make it to the groomer, have a spa day at home! Give them a bath, brush their fur, trim their nails, and brush their teeth to leave them feeling clean and fresh.
Take them on a walk. Whether they love walking on a leash, or maybe riding in a backpack, take them to get some fresh air and see some sights. Head to your favorite trail or spot and spend time soaking in the sun and the views.
Buy them a new beauty product. Maybe it’s that new shampoo they have been eyeing, or that special paw protectant. Whatever the case may be, they will appreciate you going the extra mile to help them look and feel good.
Spend some extra cuddle time together. Curl up on the couch or in their favorite spot and have a couple “lazy” hours together. Take some time to just enjoy being together and make sure that you give them lots of pets!
Make them a new toy. There are ways to recycle materials to create fun toys and enrichment activities. Check out our post on making your own snuffle mat as an idea. If the two of you aren’t feeling up to creating something yourself, you can always take a fun excursion to the pet store and pick out something new together.
Purchase something for their furry friends. We have an Amazon Wishlist of sought after items for the pets waiting to find homes. Brighten their day by sending them something special, from your pet! You can ask them for input on what they think a pet waiting for a home might want.
Have furry friend hangout. Maybe they have a BFF (Best Furry Friend) they haven’t seen in a while. Treat them to a visit with them to get in some exercise, socialization, or both!
We hope that this Valentine’s Day gives you lots of time to spend with the ones that you love. If you are in need of a furry soulmate, visit our Lonely Hearts Club page.