Dog Walker Tales

A Quirky Column about Dog Walking Adventures in the City of Dog-Owning Love

A couple of months ago, I posted a column that touched on the issue of pets becoming our kids, so it only seems fair to say that, while millions of mothers will be receiving gifts and words of thanks from their sons and daughters, a million more folks will be celebrating the day as being a parent to their schnauzers, bull dogs, shepherds, poodles, Labradors, and so on.

And I’m not assigning any gender for “Mom” on this Mother’s Day because it is, after all, 2007 and there are men and women who are more than deserving of the “Mother” title—whether it is for sons and daughters or for cats and dogs.

So, how do moms of four-legged creatures celebrate Mother’s Day? Petplace.com offered a few ideas:

1. Paw Print Impressions—frame an inked impression of Fido’s paw and offer it up to “Mom.”
2. Glamour Shots—have a professional photo or oil painting done of your dog. Or sign up for a professional photo that would include “Mom” and dog.
3. Fashionable Leash—Stop in a boutique and pick up a stylin’ leash so that “Mom” can walk dog in style.
4. Coupon Book—Create a coupon book offering walking, grooming or other care-taking services for the book to give “Mom” a break.
5. Scrapbook—Assemble a scrapbook of memories depicting time spent between “Mom” and Fido.

A few Philly ideas: Spend some time as a family at Locust Park where dog runs are available for large and small dogs. Stroll by the restaurants and cafes in Washington Square West where dogs really are everyone’s kids and water bowls are set outside many establishments. Sign up for dog walking services for a week to give mom a break—check out Philapets.com for more info.

Photo via Way Opening on Flickr