Father’s Day is rapidly approaching, and families across the land are frantically brainstorming what to get the special men in their lives. Socks are a timeless classic, right? Or how about… aftershave?
But while the dads of the world are all set to be honoured and appreciated, what about the guys whose offspring are four-pawed, furry, and like to play fetch?
It’s pretty easy to know if you’re a dog dad. Some of the tell-tale signs include:
- you find yourself sporting stubble or a full beard, since your morning shaving sessions so often get gate-crashed by an “unexpected guest”.
- there’s a special someone in your household who eats like a king, and then there’s you – living off coffee and peanut butter straight from the jar.
- when away from home you have, at least once, FaceTimed your dog and shared your latest anecdotes with them, while your significant other stands awkwardly in the background.
But who said that dog dads shouldn’t celebrate Father’s Day, anyway? Not us, that’s for sure.
Here are some great ways to commemorate the occasion as a proud pet parent.
1. Get matching haircuts
Ok, so you may not want your haircut to literally “match” your dog’s – unless he’s a poodle and you’ve always thought that men’s fashion peaked with the 1970s perm, of course.
But one fact is undeniable all the same: getting a fresh ‘do can make any guy feel like a million bucks. And, even if they’re not keen on being shampooed, your dog will likely have a bounce in their step and look a lot sharper after a good grooming session, too.
If you’ve been feeling like you need to change something up in your life, rocking a new hairstyle can be a great start. As for your dog’s aesthetic… we’ll just leave this here without comment.
2. Push it to the limit at a Muddy Dog obstacle course
Some guys – and some dogs – just prefer to take it easy and to enjoy their rest and relaxation as much as possible. Think ‘hammocks in the sun’ rather than ‘waking up at 4:00am to train for an Ironman Triathlon.’
On the other hand, a select few voluntarily sign up for bootcamp fitness courses. And have you seen how much exercise German Shepherds need to get in order to finally settle down?
Although dogs and humans have traditionally done their fitness challenges separately, the lines are starting to blur. In 2016, for example, one dog spontaneously entered a half marathon without her owner’s permission, and took seventh place.
If you love a challenge, how about treating yourself and your pup to a shared endurance event like the Muddy Dog obstacle course?
Of course, we’d be dropping the ball here if we didn’t also mention that our YuMOVE joint supplement for dogs, and our iMOVE joint supplement for humans, make perfect accompaniments to any fitness-themed outing.
3. Host a mouth-watering BBQ
We’re not 100% sure if you’ve noticed this, but dogs really like to eat. What’s more, while some dads and dog dads may not be gourmet chefs, they tend to have an uncannily similar love of food, too.
When the weather’s good – say, above 15°C – why not host an awesome BBQ for you, your loved ones, and your canine pal?
Between grilled chicken breasts, lean burgers, and roasted sweet potatoes, your dog can safely enjoy many of your favourite barbecue staples – just keep a watchful eye out that they don’t swipe a sneaky sausage from under your nose.
4. Hit the road (Jack)
Sometimes, you just want to get in touch with your inner ‘Rebel Without a Cause’ and head off on an action-packed road trip.
With only a loose plan, a great playlist, and a sleeping bag in the backseat of your car (plus plenty of supplies for your dog, of course), it’s possible to have some truly memorable adventures.
Unsurprisingly, your fearless Fido is likely to also get a lot of joy out of seeing new places, running through unfamiliar woods full of unfamiliar smells, and spending quality time with you.
5. Just spend a day with some of your favourite treats, watching a great (dog-themed) film
This Father’s Day, while your dog unwinds with a delicious calming treat after an energetic game of ‘catch my own shadow’, why don’t you just pop open a can of Pringles and load up Netflix?
Sometimes, we all just need to take it easy – and if you can’t watch mindless TV on Father’s Day, when can you? Your dog is sure to love just curling up next to you and enjoying your company. But you could always put on a dog-themed movie to get them really invested in the plot.
Need some inspiration for your next film binge with your dog by your side? Check out these canine classics...
Bolt
When a famous on-screen “super-dog” has been raised to believe his powers are real, it only takes the “kidnapping” of his owner to set him off on a cross-country rescue mission. Bolt is, without a doubt, one of the premier feel-good animated family comedies of all time.
I Am Legend
Will Smith co-stars alongside German Shepherd, Sam, in this 2007 post-apocalyptic action-thriller. A mutated super-virus has wiped out humanity. One man struggles to hold on, feed his dog, and find other survivors in a wasteland inhabited by corrupted “Darkseekers.”
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey
In this 1993 remake of a ‘60s classic, we follow two dogs and a cat on a cross-country journey to reunite with their family. Expect plenty of laughs from this feel-good family comedy, with some surprisingly emotional moments thrown in, too.
Marley & Me
Based on a true story, Marley & Me follows newlyweds John and Jenny Gronan, and their mischievous Labrador, Marley, as they navigate life’s highs and lows for over a decade. This comedy-drama is a must-see for dog lovers. Both laughter and tears are to be expected.
How are you planning on celebrating Father’s Day as a dog dad? Please share your pics on our Facebook or Instagram pages – we’d love to see you both enjoying the occasion!
