Spend Valentine's Day with your pet

Fancy 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.

Valentine's Day is often filled with expectations of romance. It's a joyous day to celebrate the love between two people. But for others it's a day filled with mournful memories wishing for what they once had.

You don't have to be in a relationship to celebrate love on Valentine's Day. 

Between all the paper hearts, bouquets of roses and boxes of chocolates it's your furry family member that loves you unconditionally. If you want to make sure you're not let down this Valentine's Day, make a date with your pet!

Choosing your pooch for a date this February 14 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.

Valentine's Day with your pooch means no pressure at all. Your furry friend's only request might be that you spend a little quality time with him.

For those of you with pets, Valentine's Day offers the ideal opportunity to honor a love unlike any other, so tap into your creative side and find ways to show your pet just how much you love him this Valentine's Day.

Surprise your pooch with an extra walk, or a trip to their favorite dog park or trail, especially if you haven't been there for a while. Walking is also a great way to get exercise and bond with your dog, which will only make your relationship stronger.

Or surprise your pooch with a special treat. Pet bakeries are popping up across the country, and they're serving up delicious treats catered to your pet's dietary needs. But, remember chocolate is poisonous to pets, so you don't have to be pressured about buying an expensive heart-shaped box full of chocolate.

Kids love going to the toy store and picking out what they want, and your pet is no different. Stores like Petco and Sisters Feed & Supply have an open-door policy for leashed pets, and Rover can check out all the merchandise. Let him explore the store, taking his time picking out the perfect toy. He will be so excited to take it home and start playing.

With so many pet-friendly restaurants, taking your pooch out to lunch would be another great way to spend the afternoon with the one you love.

Think about getting professional photos together. Book an appointment with a pet photographer for a Valentine's Day photo shoot. 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!

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!