Tuesday 23 October 2012

50 things to do before you die - if you're a dog

From bounding through a forest to staying in a boutique pet hotel, 50 experiences that every dog should have in its lifetime have been compiled in a new canine "bucket list".

From bounding through a forest to staying in a boutique pet hotel, 50 experiences that every dog should have in its lifetime have been compiled in a new canine
Photo: Alamy
The list, which also includes riding in an open-topped car, having a personalised Christmas stocking, and appearing in a family portrait, was created after consultations with vets, dog behaviour experts and owners from across the UK.
Some of the more unusual experiences include being a ring-bearer at a wedding and becoming an internet sensation, although the latter may not prove the most comfortable experience for the dogs' human custodians if previous experience is anything to go by.
Last year, labrador Fenton achieved worldwide web fame - crossing of one experience on the list - when he was filmed chasing deer across Richmond Park in south west London, ignoring the exasperated screams of his owner.
The bucket list was compiled by MORE TH>N pet insurance and TV vet Marc Abraham.
A survey found that 8% of dogs had not experienced any of the 50 activities although 7% had completed it in its entirety.
The figures showed that 20% had never had the pleasure of bounding through the forest while 26% had not attended a family picnic.
But they did show that 46.5% had known the simple joy of "going mad" in the snow, while 39% had gone swimming in the sea and 33% had done the "Beethoven shake", soaking everyone around them.
Mr Abraham said: “Make no mistake about it, we’re a nation of dog lovers, but it seems a lot of owners have become stuck in a rut. Taking our dogs on morning and evening walks during the week and out to a park at the weekend has become the norm.
"Understanding and appreciating the many different things you can now do with your dog will greatly enrich the lives of both you and your four-legged friends.”
50 things every dog should do before it dies
1. Flop down in front of a morning fire
2. Go for a swim in the sea
3. Go mad in the snow
4. Dig up a flower bed
5. Do the 'Beethoven' shake and soak everyone around you
6. Have your own spot on the sofa
7. Accompany your owner on a run/cycle ride
8. Attend a family picnic
9. Help your owner bad a date
10. Cheer your owner up when they are down
11. Visit a different continent
12. Roll around in a really stinky, muddy puddle
13. Ruin a pair or slippers or shoes
14. Sleep in your owners bed
15. Wake your owner with a big wet sloppy kiss
16. Chase a cat during a dream
17. Learn the word for 'sit' in another language
18. Join in a football game in the park
19. Meet a famous dog
20. Try your paws at dancing
21. Convince your owner you can howl English words
22. Get filthy within 30 minutes of a bath
23. Howl along with your favourite song
24. Ride in an open top car
25. Learn to skateboard
26. Have a personalised Christmas stocking
27. Show the postman who's boss
28. Be a ring bearer at a wedding
29. Try to follow a squirrel up a tree
30. Go to work with your owner
31. Have your own social media page
32. Bound through a forest
33. Have a personalised kennel
34. Go on a boat and get your sea legs
35. Play frisbee on the beach
36. Receive your own birthday card
37. Steal someone's lunch when they're not looking
38. Watch an entire episode of 'The Washing Machine'
39. Eat doggy ice cream
40. Create a diversion and steal another dog's dinner
41. Rug a doggy marathon
42. Receive a doggy birthday cake
43. Rip the stuffing out of a pillow or cushion
44. Unwrap birthday presents
45. Watch Lassie on TV
46. Be in a family portrait
47. Have a stand off with your own reflection
48. Have a favourite local pub
49. Star in a YouTube video
50. Sleep in a boutique dog hotel



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