By Lisa Peterson

and Adria Henderson

Every year we are bombarded with the top lists and countdowns in preparation for New Year’s Eve. In keeping with this holiday tradition here is our “Top 100” list of ways to love your pets whether they be dogs, cats, horses or birds. 

Dogs

100. Take your dog for a daily walk.

99. Give your dog a wholesome treat.

98. Teach your dog a new trick or command.

97. Go for a car ride to a new park for a supervised run.

96. Brush him.

95. Clip his nails.

94. Give him a bath!

93. Wash his collar or bandana.

92. Let him outside to go to the bathroom when he asks.

91. Understand your dog’s temperament.

90. Teach him a new activity. Frisbee, catch or fetch a ball. Practice regularly.

89. Take him to the vet for regular check-ups.

88. Take him to the vet when problems first arise.

87. Put him on a heart worm preventative.

86. Put him on a flea and tick control program.

85. Brush his teeth with chicken flavored toothpaste.

84. Buy a new bed filled with cedar shavings.

83. Get him a new leash and collar.

82. Make a play date with another dog.

81. Buy him a companion puppy.

80. Put an obedience title on your dog.

79. Enroll him in an agility class.

78. Take your puppy to Puppy Kindergarten.

77. Rub his belly and watch him smile.

76. Spend some quality time with you dog each day.

75. Change to a raw diet for your carnivore dog.

Cats

74. Buy a bigger litter box for more room.

73. Brush and disinfect the old one.

72. Buy them a window perch covered with fleece.

71. Clip their toenails.

70. Brush their coat whether long- or short-haired breed.

69. Introduce catnip.

68. Buy a new toy.

67. Save old paper tubing from Christmas paper for play toys.

66. Clean out their ears.

65. Don’t forget a monthly hairball remedy in their diet.

64. Teach your indoor kitten to walk on a leash with a harness for outdoor walks.

63. Teach your cats a trick. They will “come” when you shake their treat can!

62. Buy a breakaway collar for safety.

61. Get a rubber litter box welcome mat to remove litter from their paws upon exit.

60. Curl up with a good book and your cat on your lap.

Horses

59.  Buy your horse a new blanket.

58. Wash the old blanket!

57. Ride him more often.

56. Visit him everyday for a carrot even if you don’t ride.

55. Spend more time on grooming.

54. Hand-graze him on more grass this summer.

53. Clean his tack more often.

52. Learn to clean your gelding’s sheath.

51. Buy a gel saddle pad to promote back health.

50. Pick out his feet daily.

49. Spend a quiet moment in the stall bonding each day.

48. Talk to your horse.

47. Become a better rider for his sake. Take some lessons.

46. Buy a book and become educated about better horse care or riding.

45. Go on a trail ride.

44. Trim his whiskers. 

43. Pull his mane and make him look handsome.

42. Make a goal of going to a horse show. Challenge him!

41. If you don’t have enough time to ride, find a lease partner.

40. Find his favorite spot he loves to have scratched.

39. Find a big field and go for a gallop.

38. Find a lake and go for a bareback swim.

37. Learn about proper fitting saddles.

36. Buy a bit warmer for winter.

35. Pay your vet and blacksmith bills.

Birds

34. Brush and scrub his cage.

33. Buy a perch scrub brush and give them a good clean.

32. Buy a bird book to learn new ideas.

31. Teach your parrot a new word.

30. Teach your bird a new trick.

29. Move his cage to a new bright, sunny spot.

28. Spray his feathers every day if he has no bath.

27. Put vitamins in his water.

26. Take the bird out of his cage daily.

25. Spend more time with personal interaction.

24. Find a new wholesome treat for your bird.

Generally Speaking

23. Write thank you notes to your vet for excellent service.

22. Tip you animal care providers, next time your pet will get pampered.

21. Keep accurate medical records.

20. Pay attention to your pet’s personality. Learn to recognize unusual behavior.

19. The more you know about your particular pet the better you can care for it.

18. Make sure you can afford to keep the appropriate number of pets.

17. Being unable to keep too many pets and all will suffer.

16. Be firm yet gentle with your training.

15. If you are away from your pets for a long time, find someone to care for them.

14. Educate yourself about weather hazards for your pets. 

13. Take pet ownership seriously.

12. Encourage your children to become involved with the family pet care chores.

11. Treat your pet as a member of your family.

10. If you are unable to keep a pet, find a good home for him.

  9. Remember the neighbors if you own loud or smelly pets.

  8. Travel with your pets if they are able and enjoy it.

  7. Socialize with your pets.

  6. Have parties for your pets. Invite their favorite friends!

  5. Let your pet teach you things.

  4. Laugh first at their antics. Clean up later.

  3. Keep your pet healthy. People who own pets live longer!

  2. Respect their space. Give them a home of their own.

  1. Give your pet a great big hug and a kiss!!

Happy New Year to you and all your pets.

Lisa Peterson and Adria Henderson are the owners/operators of Safe At Home, LLC, a Newtown-based pet sitting service. We love to hear from our readers. You can reach us at animallifestyles@usa.net or P.O. Box 427, Botsford, CT 06404.