Celebrate Valentine’s with your ultimate companion, your dog!
The 29th of February is the only day that makes February truly unique (well, according to me anyway) but as a small business owner, I have to recognise that there’s also the hearts and flowers and chocolate day namely, Valentine’s Day. If you’re lucky enough to share your life with a dog you already have the best Valentine around.
I hadn’t heard of Valentine’s Day ‘til the late ’80s and even then it didn’t feel like a special day. Perhaps I wasn’t (and am still not) a very romantic person. I also don’t like the pressure of having to buy something for my loved one just because the calendar says I should.
I prefer small gestures throughout the year without any particular reason, such as buying special chocolates here and there, eating out (when possible) or a little break away together (once allowed).
Looking at this list now, it’s really down to chocolates then lol.
Well, I’m here to help! We can also get creative when it comes to presents – be it for a human or doggo – and here are a few ideas on how you can celebrate:
❤️ Enjoy a Nice Meal Together
My Richard would love this one because he just loves vegetables… especially broccoli! He loves it so much that we’re sure if we left a piece of steak on the kitchen counter next to a piece of broccoli that he would pinch the broccoli.
I think he knows that broccoli is rich in dietary fibre, amino acids, vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamins B1, B6, B9, C, E, K, and important minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium, and phosphorus. Also, that a 100gm serving of broccoli has only approximately 34 calories (YAY!). Did you know that Broccoli florets have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects too?
Check Richard’s and my favourite broccoli recipe here.
❤️ Get him/her a box full of love and care
When it comes to dogs you’ll have to skip the box of chocolates because we all know that’s a no-go. This, however, doesn’t mean that you can’t gift your dog a box of goodies. This also doesn’t only apply to Valentine’s day!
Check out these beautiful subscription boxes from Collar Club Box.
❤️ Spa day
If your pup just loves bath time why not plan on making him squeaky clean this Valentine’s day (and I don’t just mean an ordinary bath here). Why not add some paw scrub, a coconut oil wrap, or herbal rinse? Make it special!
❤️ Make a love jar of treats (This is the one your dog will appreciate the most I think).
I love making these treats for my dogs (not just for Valentine’s day)
Apple & Peanut Butter Bites
2 apples – cored, peeled, and chopped
1 jar of Nuts for Pets Poochbutter
½ cup milled flaxseeds
½ cup milled pumpkin seeds
¼ cup pumpkin seeds for coating
Method
1) Peel, core, and remove the seeds from the apples and chop them into small chunks in a food processor.
2) Mix the apples, peanut butter, flaxseeds, and pumpkin seeds and stir until a dough forms which is slightly sticky.
3) Take small pieces and roll them into balls and coat the outside with the remaining pumpkin seeds
Storage
Store in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 7 days (they never last that long with my 5 dogs though 😂)
Liver cake
300g lamb liver
1 Crushed garlic clove
1 Egg
150g oat flour, coconut, or quinoa flour
You will need:
Food processor
A greased medium-sized baking tin
Method:
1) Pre-heat oven to 180°C
2) Put all the ingredients (liver, crushed garlic, and egg) into the blender and blend until smooth or until the liver is in very small pieces
3) Slowly add the flour and the mixture will start to take on a gloopy consistency (like a brownie mix but with a different smell). If it’s a bit too thick, add some goat milk, or if it’s too runny, a little more flour
4) Pour the mixture into the baking tin. It should be about 2cm deep
5) Put in the oven for about 15-20 minutes.
6) Stick a knife in the middle and if it comes out clean, it’s done
7) Let it cool, cut it up into smaller pieces, and put them in bags or tubs to freeze so that you can use them when needed
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days
❤️ Give a massage
We all need to relax sometimes and dogs benefit from massages just like us! Watch my YouTube video here to learn how to give your dog a relaxing massage.
❤️ Donate to your favourite rescue centre in your dog’s name
I think your dog/s would love this gesture! Love is caring and sharing and it makes everybody feel good. If you’d like to support rescue dogs well then you don’t have to go very far! Vita Canis Style to Rescue would appreciate your help very much and your donation will go a long way towards helping the rescues.
Simply click the button below if you’d like to donate here ❤️🙏
For obvious reasons, we had to cancel Style to Rescue 2020 however we still managed to send £570 donation from our postponed Style to Rescue event to the participating rescue centres. Every little bit helps!
We had to cancel our usual end of April date but I’m so happy to announce we may be able to go ahead on the 10th October 2021!! YAY!! I’ll keep you posted.
Stay safe, Jitka xx