Animal-Themed Bucket List

At this time of the year, most people have decided to draft New Year’s Resolutions to fulfill in the coming year, but I decided to craft my bucket list instead.  Because I live a pet-inspired lifestyle (living, working, volunteering and vacationing with pets as well as spending time with people who have pets or I know because of pet-related experiences), my list is animal-themed. Below find some of my top choices:

1. Meet Bo and the Obama Family in the White House

The recent election has given me four more years to figure out how I am going to meet Bo with his family at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Other than trying to write directly to the President, I am going to enlist the help of local politicians to make my dream come true. 

2. Show a Dog at Westminster

The Westminster Kennel Club is considered the Super Bowl of dog shows, and since I was a small child I have been attending this historic dog show. One of my oldest dreams is to show a dog at Westminster myself. Since English Toy Spaniels are not very popular, I have a better chance with my breed. And since, according to David Frei, Westminster is no longer just a champion show, I have a better chance of making this dream come true.

3. Meet Choupette Lagerfeld

With beauty, brains, a notable papa and a Twitter account with millions of fans, this cat is no LOL cat.  Since corresponding with Choupette earlier in the year, I have wanted to play with her at 31 Rue Cambon, Paris in Coco’s famous apartment. Have cat teaser, Da Bird, will travel.  

4. Visit Wolong Panda Reserve

Can you imagine how cool it would be traveling to China and visiting the largest and best-known panda reserve in the world? I would love to visit the reserve and care for the panda babies at the Wolong Panda Reserve  Naming one of the babies there would be a dream come true.

5. Interview Oprah Winfrey

Although I have dined with BFF Gayle King and talked to her about her dogs--some of which are related to Oprah’s--I have never had the opportunity to meet Oprah herself. I would love to interview this iconic business woman and talk to her about her dogs and how they have changed her life.

6. Photographed by Bruce Weber

Bruce Weber, American fashion photographer, is the owner of Golden Retrievers. He is also a longtime friend of Green Chimneys, which provides animal-assisted therapy to young people. I would love Mr. Weber to photograph me with my Golden Retriever, Hannah.  

7. Take Rhone to Little Nell’s

As far as I'm concerned, Little Nell’s in Aspen, Colorado started the modern day pet travel movement. Specific hotels throughout the world have always catered to the wealthy pet owner discretely, but with its penned pet amenities including the canine menu, Little’s Nell’s started a trend that’s here to stay. Although I have never been there, their Petiquette booklet (I have never seen one) was one of the inspirations for my book, The Miss Fido Manners Complete Book of Dog Etiquette (Adams Media, 2007). I want to take my Little Princess Rhone to Little Nell’s for a mini-vacation so she can experience the best of the best in pet travel.

8. Host My Own TV Show

I just loved watching The Osbournes TV show. Although many people referred to it as the un-Huxtables, I most enjoyed how Ozzy, Sharon, Jack, Kelly and occasionally, Amy as they interacted with their numerous animals. Since I live with quite a few animals, it was easy to relate. Over the years, I have auditioned, been cast and been cut out of TV pet shows, so now I want my own. Production companies like Shed, Edemol, World of Wonder: call me. As a pet parent to five dogs, two cats, one bird and the leader of one crazy pet lifestyle, I live a daily reality TV show.

9.  Enjoy a Long Safari

Thumbs up for Diana’s boy, Prince William, taking his sweetheart on safari to propose! I have wanted to go on a month-long safari in Kenya, South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania, and Rwanda so that I can learn about the animals and life on the African plains. I have already decided that I would leave at a moment’s notice if such an opportunity would arise, but I would just need a few more Canon lenses for the great pictures that I would take and share.

10. Raise Awareness of Animals in Need

Thanks to an introduction by Dave Vigil, President of Helen Woodward Animal Center and pioneer in the animal welfare industry Michael Arms is one of my mentors. At the Helen Woodward ACES Conference this year, I realized that my platform can include more than helping pet owners have better lives with their pets, but that it needs to include bringing awareness to the plight of animals in need with more than yearly monetary donations to specific charities. This year, I am starting out by working with more animal charities around the country and including their homeless animals in my pet care TV segments.  

What's on your animal-themed bucket list? Tell us what you want to do with your pets or what pet-related opportunities you would like to experience.