Spend this Valentine's Day with your pooch

Love is in the air as Valentine's Day draws near. Restaurants are gearing up for a packed house, flower companies are preparing for the busiest day of the year, and folks everywhere are pulling out all the stops to plan the perfect night for their Valentine.

For some it's a joyous day to celebrate the love between two people. But for others, it is a sad or mournful day, spent wishing for what they once had or for what they have not yet found. It can be downright depressing.

With Valentine's Day around the corner, why not spend the day with man's best friend? Sometimes a special pooch is all you need! So what if your Valentine has four legs and a furry coat? You won't be the only one who will be celebrating Valentine's Day with their pet.

For those of you with pets, Valentine's Day offers the ideal opportunity to honor a love unlike any other. Think about the relationship you have with your furry friend; often it is one of the greatest examples of unconditional love.

Pets spend each and every day loving us unconditionally in a way that only they can do. It seems showing them appreciation in return is only fair.

Valentine's Day with your pooch means no pressure at all. Your furry friend's only request might be that you spend quality time with him. Think of it this way: Dogs don't need flowers. They won't be waiting for you to show up with a dozen roses on February 14; they will be wagging their tails and covering you in kisses, just because you showed up!

Your dog's expectations on Valentine's Day are the same as any other day of the year - he wants you to feed him dinner, play with him, walk him, and cuddle him.

Make it just a little bit more special this Valentine's Day and bring Rover home a healthy doggie treat. Bones and balls are much more affordable than diamonds and watches. Chocolate is poisonous to pets, so you don't have to be pressured about buying an expensive heart-shaped box of chocolates.

And choosing your pooch for a date this Valentine's Day means you don't have to dress up. Forget the suit and tie or fancy black dress - your furry friend loves you no matter what you wear.

Your furry friend is an easy date to please in the kitchen. Not everyone has the culinary skills to wow a human date, but it's guaranteed your dog will love you even if the can opener is the only kitchen tool you've mastered.

For many, the big question on Valentine's Day is: Will I be spending the night alone? Your furry friend is devoted to you and would love to spend the night with you!

Bottom line: Research has shown that spending time with your pet has benefits. Quality time with your pooch can relieve stress and anxiety as well as lower blood pressure, which are great reasons to spend Valentine's Day with your furry friend!