Things dogs must do during their lifetime
London, October 22 (ANI)
50 experiences that every dog must have during its lifetime have been compiled in a new canine "bucket list."
The list, which includes riding in an open-topped car, having a personalised Christmas stocking and appearing in a family portrait, was compiled by pet insurance and TV vet Marc Abraham 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.
A survey found that 8 percent of dogs had not experienced any of the 50 activities although 7 percent had completed it in its entirety.
The figures showed that 20 percent of dogs had never had the pleasure of bounding through the forest while 26 percent had not attended a family picnic.
However, they did show that 46.5 percent had known the simple joy of "going mad" in the snow, while 39 percent had gone swimming in the sea and 33 percent had done the "Beethoven shake", soaking everyone around them.
"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," the Telegraph quoted Abraham as saying.
"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," he said.
The 50 things every dog should do before dying are:
Flop down in front of a morning fire
Go for a swim in the sea
Go mad in the snow
Dig up a flower bed
Do the 'Beethoven' shake and soak everyone around you
Have your own spot on the sofa
Accompany your owner on a run/cycle ride
Attend a family picnic
Help your owner bad a date
Cheer your owner up when they are down
Visit a different continent
Roll around in a really stinky, muddy puddle
Ruin a pair or slippers or shoes
Sleep in your owner's bed
Wake your owner with a big wet sloppy kiss
Chase a cat during a dream
Learn the word for 'sit' in another language
Join in a football game in the park
Meet a famous dog
Try your paws at dancing
Convince your owner you can howl English words
Get filthy within 30 minutes of a bath
Howl along with your favourite song
Ride in an open top car
Learn to skateboard
Have a personalised Christmas stocking
Show the postman who's boss
Be a ring bearer at a wedding
Try to follow a squirrel up a tree
Go to work with your owner
Have your own social media page
Bound through a forest
Have a personalised kennel
Go on a boat and get your sea legs
Play frisbee on the beach
Receive your own birthday card
Steal someone's lunch when they're not looking
Watch an entire episode of 'The Washing Machine'
Eat doggy ice cream
Create a diversion and steal another dog's dinner
Rug a doggy marathon
Receive a doggy birthday cake
Rip the stuffing out of a pillow or cushion
Unwrap birthday presents
Watch Lassie on TV
Be in a family portrait
Have a stand off with your own reflection
Have a favourite local pub
Star in a YouTube video
Sleep in a boutique dog hotel