Celebrate Valentine's Day with your pet

It's the global day of love: Valentine's Day. Visions of Cupid with his arrow; heart-shaped boxes of chocolates and bouquets of flowers sent special-delivery. And folks everywhere are pulling out all the stops to plan the perfect day for their Valentine. It's a joyous day to celebrate the love between two people. For others, it is a sad or wistful day, spent wishing for what they once had or for what they have yet to find.

For those with pets, Valentine's Day offers the ideal opportunity to honor a love unlike any other: the love for a pet!

Sharing Valentine's Day with your pet can create a lasting memory or just provide the excuse to spoil your best furry friend with what they love most in the world. Since pets spend every day loving us unconditionally in a way that only they can do, it seems fair showing them appreciation in return.

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.

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.

Spoil them with their favorite treats - give your dog a comfortable new bed or your cat some catnip. Or maybe bake them some homemade treats. Bones and balls are so much more affordable than diamonds and wristwatches.

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.

A walk together at your furry friend's favorite dog park or exploring a new neighborhood filled with new smells is a great way to show him you care.

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 canopener is the only kitchen tool you've mastered.

Remember chocolate is poisonous to pets, so you don't have to be pressured about buying an expensive heart-shaped box full chocolate.

Pamper your pet on Valentine's Day with lots of love by getting him a new toy you can both play with together.

Consider booking an appointment with a professional photographer to set up a Valentine's photo shoot for your pet, complete with a Valentine-themed backdrop. Photos create lifelong memories.

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!