It’s no secret I have a soft spot for older pets. The grey muzzles and sweet eyes get me every time. And, whether or not your aging dog or cat is still going strong, senior pet life should celebrate your time together and give you amazing memories or things to look forward to. Bucket lists can be a really fun and engaging way to enjoy your time together, create more memories and preserve them. But here’s the key - the bucket list for an aging pets should improve both your and their quality of life. Typically bucket lists are filled with active and extreme things like going to a far away place, skydiving or climbing a mountain. And while some people might do these things with their pet, they can be too much for an aging pet. I’ve always wanted to take my girl Hannah backpacking. While she’s young I think she would love it. But, as she ages I might need to do a modification so that it’s healthy for her. Instead of doing a long hike for multiple days, maybe we would take our time on a short trail in a state park and car camp.

When making your bucket list or picking things off your list, consider: 

• Mobility: As pets age, mobility if often a key factor to consider. Hannah loves to walk and walk. However, when she gets older, if it gets harder for her to walk as much, that would influence my bucket list with her.

• Overall health: As pets age they each have their own special challenges and all dogs and cats are different. So. you’ll want to consider their skin, cracks in their paws or other underlying health issues they may have to determine if they are well enough for the activity.

• If they’re having a good day or a bad day: Always remember, just like us our pets have good days and bad days. You might plan something for a specific day, then wake up to realize it’s one of those bad days for your pet. In which case you can always do something different and save it for a good day. You don’t need to push them to do something if they are clearly not feeling it.

The bucket list is a way to enhance their quality of life and to share special moments together as they age. Let your pet guide you on what they can and cannot do! 

Without further ado, here are some fun activities to try with your aging dog or cat! 

1. A Pet Photography Session.

A professional photo session is not only a unique experience, it also will help you feel close to your pet when they do cross the rainbow bridge. I cherish the photos (and videos) I have of my pup Hannah now. I know that when that day comes and I can’t hug her, the authentic photos and videos I have are going to be priceless. Having pictures enlarged and framed to relive great memories is a fun way to style your home, and preserve them for years to come. When I work with senior or sick pets, I always make sure they are comfortable and enjoying themselves. The session should be filled with things they enjoy and spending time with their family. This is time that we can’t get back. So, for me they are the sessions that mean the most. ( I am literally teary eyed as I write this). You can find out all about my Legacy sessions to preserve the memories you have.

2. A Bougie Feast.

A paw-licking feast is a great way to show your pet love. Gizelle, a cute Mastiff, traveled to Maine to eat fresh lobster and donuts. Be sure to consider your pets health here and consult a medical professional before feeding anything new. Be sure that everything you are feeding is not toxic or could create an adverse reaction. A special meal, (especially photographed!), can be a great memory-builder. I used to do some special things with Hannah before I discovered that she had infalmatory bowel disease. Now, once a year I give her something special that she doesn’t normally have but that also won’t hurt her.  Just be sure - Check in with your vet if you’re in doubt!

3. Go for a Weekend at a Fancy Pet-Friendly Hotel or Airbnb.

Enjoying a drink on the veranda or getting a human massage, and then giving your senior pet one—you two can spend a luxurious weekend sharing special moments. This one, I absolutely love and will be doing with Hannah and our new dog Lady. Quirk hotel is a super chic artsy boutique hotel that has locations in Richmond and Charlottesville. They are dog friendly for dogs up to 70 lbs! @withsunshinesol is an instagram account that features lots of great pet friendly places to stay.

4. Spend a Day Letting Them be the Boss.

Can you give your pet total control for the day? Pick a special day and let them do what they want. Hannah would probably go on a long walk, which would take forever to finish because she would mell everything. Then she’d go to Red Ridge and get treats and fluffy squeaky toys, then go to ur neighbors house and try to find her cat.

5. Camp Out for A Cuddle Fest in The Living Room.

Move a mattress downstairs or wherever is comfy for them and chill out. You could watch a movie, give endless belly rubs or kitty pets. My dog Hannah would love cuddling under a blanket and using me as a pillow, while Lady would love nothing more than to camp out on her back getting belly rubs.

6. Throw a Party.

If your pet can tolerate it, invite their human and animal friends over for a get-together. You can have a doggie pupcake, and a cake for the people too. You can have games like a peanut butter eating contest (just be sure to look at the ingredients. Don’t use peanut butter with xylitol or birch sugar in it. It’s highly toxic to dogs. You could put on some music. If it’s summer and your pup is up for it, you can have a kiddie pool and a treat bar. I have a recipe for some great home made treats if you’re the baking kind.