Wildebeest's Guide To Making A Dog Friendly Bucket List

Tired of falling into the same ol’ daily routine? Or is the weather making you feel lethargic or unmotivated? If you’re looking to add some excitement and adventure to your life, how about crafting a fresh bucket list for you & your dog? After all, we as dog people share so much of our life with our pups and experiencing new things together is a fun and rewarding way to make life richer and fuller for both. 

“Bucket list”, originating from the phrase “kick the bucket”, means “a list of experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime”. The great thing about making a bucket list is that you don’t need to make one at any specific point. You can start your dog-friendly bucket list in the middle of the year or at any age/stage in yours or pup’s life to start making special memories together. Here are some tips + ideas to get you inspired for your bucket list and unforgettable adventures with Beest.

"It’s so fun experiencing new things with your dog and seeing their reactions to a new trail or beach, or going to a restaurant that actually has a menu for them. It’s a different type of travel, but I believe she deserves to see just as much of the world as I do." - Melanie + Ruby Doodle

Reflect on your own dreams and goals

Perhaps the best way to start a bucket list for you and your pup is to first make a bucket list for yourself. Think about all things big and small that you’ve always wanted to do in life. Let your ideas flow and write them down as they come. Some ideas may already include your dog or actually require your dog’s presence. Others may strictly be for humans-only and not have anything to do with dogs at all. Once your list gets going, you’ll be able to identify more clearly which items may be realistic and feasible for sharing with your pup. As the dog-friendly items emerge, you can start planning and organizing towards realizing your bucket list with pup in tow.

Consider your dog’s favorite activities

Think about some activities that your dog LOVES when creating a bucket list. Whether it's playing fetch in the park, taking a dip in the water for a swim, or hiking the trails, there are those activities that bring true joy to your dog's life and would be great to include throughout your bucket list. If your pup’s sensitive to changes, these familiar activities can also be an amazing constant in different settings and environments.

Prioritize your dog's preferences but also incorporate something different and fun for both of you to try. Remember that the purpose of your bucket list is for you to make memorable moments, while also having fun at the level that you and your dog are comfortable with.

Research dog friendly destinations

Researching dog-friendly destinations for your bucket list is a great way to add some adventure and joy to your dog's life. Whether it's exploring in your city and going to new parks, beaches, or pet-friendly cafes, or if you're planning to go travel somewhere new, like a different country or state, there are plenty of places where your dog can join in on the fun as long as you do your research first.

See our growing list of City Guides with dog-friendly activities to add inspiration to your bucket list.

Be open to new experiences

Trying something new can be scary but trying something new with your Beestie by your side can make things a little less nerve racking. New experiences don’t have to be extreme like skydiving or zip-lining across the mountains, they can be simple and unique. Activities like canine sports and competitions, kayaking, visiting a national park, or taking a cruise, can offer cool and unique experiences that nudge you and pup out of the comfort zone a little – in a good way! Just remember to be willing to adjust plans, try different activities, and embrace spontaneous adventures with your dog.

Set achievable goals and stay flexible 

Once your bucket list gets going, you can start breaking down the list into manageable tasks to track progress and celebrate milestones. This can help you stay organized and motivated as you work towards completing each item on the list. It's also essential to stay flexible and open to new experiences, as unexpected events or opportunities may arise that could enhance or change your bucket list adventures, especially with pups involved. Our tip is to set achievable goals and remain adaptable as you and your dog work your way down the bucket list.

Capture your adventures | Film / Photography / Journals

Recording videos of your dog trying new activities or visiting exciting places for lasting memories. Filming your dog's bucket list adventures is a crucial aspect of capturing and preserving the moments and memories you create together. By documenting your adventures on camera, you not only have a visual record to look back on but also a way to share the joy and excitement with others. Additionally, creating videos, photos and journals of your dog's bucket list adventures can serve as a great source of inspiration for fellow pet parents looking to create their own memorable experiences. You can also get creative with documenting your adventures in other ways like scrapbooking or making a digital album to help keep your adventures alive as time passes on.

Dog-friendly bucket list ideas to get you started:

• Ride the ferry or go on a cruise
• Hike a new trail in a different city
• Visit a National Park
• Attend a baseball game (most teams have a dedicated day, make sure to do your research before buying tickets)
• Eat at a dog-friendly restaurant
• Have a professional family portrait taken
• Ride a convertible car down the PCH together
• Take a road trip to a new state (or all 50 states!)
• Go camping / glamping
• Travel to a different country
• Enter the dog surfing contest
• Throw a birthday party for pup
• See Snow / See the Beach 
• Attend or host a pack walk
• Try dog sports / agility
• See a movie in the park (dog-friendly movie of course!)
• Stay at a dog-friendly hotel for the weekend

Special Feature: Melanie + Ruby Doodle

Dog mom Melanie and doodle girl Ruby are the adventure queens in the Bay Area. They are often traveling big and small, to all kinds of dog-friendly fun places. They have put together a bucket list with a variety of adventures that you can do in the U.S. and are surly dog-approved.

Melanie shares with us,”I’ve always been a bucket list kinda girl and when we got Ruby my list quickly shifted to dog-friendly everything. I realized pretty early on that I wasn’t enjoying traveling as much without her and as we got Ruby acclimated to traveling there was no turning back. It’s so fun experiencing new things with your dog and seeing their reactions to a new trail or beach, or going to a restaurant that actually has a menu for them. It’s a different type of travel, but I believe she deserves to see just as much of the world as I do”.

You can follow along on their adventures on their social media page, @hellorubydoodle !

Making a bucket list for you and your dog is a wonderful way to add new excitement and create lasting memories together. By researching dog-friendly destinations, including your dog's favorite activities, being open to new experiences, setting achievable goals, and capturing your adventures, you can strengthen your bond and make the most of your time together. 

So start brainstorming, planning, and checking off those bucket list items with Beestie by your side!

Wildebeest creates everyday essentials that help you build that special bond, share adventures big & small and make amazing memories with your Beest. We'll be right there every step of the way, with our gear & Wild4Life Warranty in tow, supporting you & Beest all throughout the lifetime of your companionship!