Valentine’s Day can be kind of a bummer if you don’t have someone special to spend the holiday with. Thankfully, you do have a special friend you can spend and enjoy the day with – your pet! Whether you’re a dog owner or a cat owner, there are ways to do something together.

Dog owners already know that their pooch will always be there for them when they’re in between relationships. Valentine’s Day is coming up, and this year, if you want to avoid all the regular fuss of this day, why not celebrate Valentine’s Day with your dog? There are lots of fun things that you can do with your dog to make the day more fun.

1. Go to A Pet Café

Cat and dog cafes are the next big trend. Pet cafes are great places to meet other pet lovers and hang out with some cool dogs too. At many dog cafés, there are also adoptable dogs who live at the café and keep patrons company all day. You can bring your dog with you or go to a pet café to meet a new canine friend.

You don’t have to go to a dog café specifically to get a little quality time with your dog. Many regular cafes are dog and pet-friendly, and allow people to bring their dogs and cats with them when they come for a sandwich or a cup of coffee. Bring a book, your tablet, or just your dog and spend some time people watching and talking to other dog lovers.

You might even decide that Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to add a second dog to the household. What better day to adopt a new friend than Valentine’s Day? If you’re looking for a second dog that would be a good fit in your household visiting a dog café is a great way to find one.

Because you can spend several hours at the café, you will have a chance to watch your pet interacting with the other animals, and see which dogs your pooch really likes and gets along with. That way you can be sure that your dog and the new dog will get along well before you adopt the new dog and bring him home.

2. Go On a Hike

If you can’t stand to see all Valentine’s Day hoopla everywhere in town, and you never want to see another heart-shaped box of chocolates again, take your dog and get out into the countryside for a while and hike it up.

Bring some water and snacks, and hit your favourite hiking trail for the day. Or use this opportunity to explore some new trails by heading to a state park or hiking area that you haven’t visited before. You’ll get some quality bonding time with your dog and when you get back Valentine’s Day will be over.

3. Take Your Dog to Dinner

If you want to go out for a nice meal but don’t want to go by yourself, take your pooch out to dinner and celebrate Valentine’s Day with your actual best friend. You can choose a dog-themed restaurant where your dog will get a special Valentine’s Day dinner. Or just call ahead to your favourite restaurant and see if they allow dogs.

If you live in a dog-friendly city you might be surprised at how many restaurants will allow dogs, even if they don’t advertise it. Call and ask to be sure your dog is welcome and then take your Fido out for a great steak dinner. It’s the best time to celebrate together.

4. Go Get a Drink

If sipping a local IPA is more your style, then take your dog out to your favourite brewery or brewpub for Valentine’s Day instead. What could be better than getting some delicious drinks and having your beloved canine companion at your side?

Most brewpubs and breweries will allow you to bring your dog with you for a night of serious beer drinking. And there are also lots of bars with outdoor patios and areas where dogs are allowed. Just make sure your pooch doesn’t partake in alcohol consumption.

5. Play Date at the Dog Park

You could also celebrate Valentine’s Day by spending some quality time with your pooch at his favourite place to hang out – the dog park. Your dog will love having a few extra hours to run and play, and you can spend that time making some new friends with other dog owners (or finding a date for later in the day).

If you don’t get to spend a lot of time playing with your dog on regular days because of your work schedule, Valentine’s Day is a perfect time to spend some extra time at the dog park, which will be good for both of you to relax and socialize.

6. Watch Movies at Home

Movie night at home is another great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your Fido. Invite some friends over if you have others who are celebrating Valentine’s Day alone, or just hang out with your dog and put on a dog-themed movie on.

Stock up on healthy snacks and drinks for both of you, and settle into binge watch some Netflix or catch up on the latest movies that you haven’t had time to watch. I would not recommend letting your dog pick the movies though.

7. Go On a Picnic

When was the last time you went on a picnic? If it’s been awhile, then change that by taking your best friend on a picnic for Valentine’s Day. If you live in an area with mild winters, you can head out on your favourite walking or biking trail with a basket or backpack of food and drinks for you and your companion.

Find a scenic spot and just hang out for a couple of hours enjoying the weather, the scenery, and being able to spend some quality time with your dog. You can play Frisbee or throw a ball around for your dog to catch. Your dog will love getting to spend extra time running outside with you, and you will get to feel like you did something out of the ordinary to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

8. Hit The Beach

Whether you live in a warmer or colder climate and there’s a beach around, there is no better way to spend the day than walking around or even laying in the sand soaking up the winter’s sun.

Most dogs love hanging around on the beach and by the water. If you’re in a warm climate and it’s a hot day, your pooch will really enjoy being able to paddle in the surf and play on the beach. You can even go sailing, fishing, or kayaking if you really like to get out into the water. A day at the beach will make you feel better physically and mentally.

9. Relax At A Spa

If outdoor sports aren’t really your speed, you could book a spa day for you and your pet to get a little pampering and relax for the day. There are some dog-friendly spas where owners can sign up for facials, pedicures, and other salon services while their dogs get a bath, nail trim, and other grooming services done.

Both of you can enjoy some relaxing spa time and you’ll both look and feel fabulous when the day is over. Treat yourself and your dog to a day of beauty if you want to make this Valentine’s Day special.

10. Go On A Vacation

If you want to go big when it comes to celebrating Valentine’s Day with your dog, take this opportunity to get out of town for a couple days. Make sure that you book a dog-friendly hotel and then get in the car and go.

Maybe you could go visit a friend you haven’t seen in a long time. Or maybe you want to go home and visit your folks for a few days. Or you could also head out to a state you’ve never been to and explore the area with your canine. There are lots of fun dog-friendly adventures and vacations that you can plan for you and your Fido. Get out and explore some state parks or other fun national treasures.

If you are really adventurous, then take your dog on an overseas vacation. Many airlines allow dogs to fly in the cabin of the plane for an additional charge so that you can keep your dog safely with you during the flight. Talk to a travel agent about dog-friendly vacation packages that might be fun for you and the pooch to try.

If you do fly, then make sure that your dog is current on his or her vaccinations, is cleared by a vet to fly and that you have an airline approved carrier before boarding the plane. Skiing, hiking, and sailing trips with dogs are all very popular dog-friendly vacations that dog owners really enjoy.

Quality Time

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be a lonely time if you are not in a relationship. It’s also a time for celebrating friendship and love, and no one loves you more than your dog. Celebrating Valentine’s Day by spending time with your pooch is a fantastic way to be grateful for all the love and companionship that your friend gives you.