For all of us on the team here at Jenna Regan Photography, our dogs are seriously part of the family and we just don’t want to talk about them getting older and not being by our side. 

So we won’t! And also because we like to stay all about the positive and fun, we love to celebrate senior dogs in so many ways (our favorite being a legacy photography session) and have created this senior dog bucket list of 11 great indoor and outdoor activities to do with your dog to document his or her journey with furever memories!

1. A Homemade Treat 

For the canine car lovers, we recommend that you take your well-deserving pup out for a spin and a little spoiling to a doggie bakery with wholesome treats made with natural ingredients. 

There are several DFW dog bakeries. One of our favorites is Three Dog Bakery and their menu includes grain-free, soft-baked, carob, and other healthy options. The three DFW locations are in Alliance, Flower Mound, and Plano. 

Another cool place is Woof Gang Bakery. Their DFW locations are North Richland Hills, Dallas, Rockwall, and Plano.

2. A Dog Cafe Outing 

Check out DFW’s Bark Out Loud cafe in Mansfield. BOL is an adorable doggie boutique and cafe, “where dogs bring their people.” 

Hang out, relax, and have a treat for yourself or share one with your fur kid. Bark Out Loud also has gifts for dogs and their humans, and you can sign up for their Best Fur Friend Club. 

There are hemp treats available for those senior dogs that may have separation anxiety, inflammation, and arthritis. You can have your treats delivered or do curbside pickup.

3. A Quick Cool Off 

Enjoy the dog days of summer and take the pups out for a splash of a time! 

Bonnie Wenk Park in McKinney has a year-round splash pad for dogs that includes a shaded pavilion and a separate area for small and big dogs. This is a great spot for social pups and is open daily. 

If water isn’t your dog’s thing, check out Dallas’ first dog park designed by the City of Dallas. Wagging Tail Dog Park has a beautiful metal fenced area for small and large dogs, benches for the humans, and an expansive landscape. 

Some of the coolest features are a flagstone observation deck that rises 35 feet above White Rock Creek and offers majestic views of a waterfall and also a 6-foot wide loop walking trail.

This is a great place to visit Tuesday through Sunday as it’s closed on Mondays for maintenance.

4. A Day at the Lake 

We know some dogs don’t want to splash, they want to swim! White Rock Lake Dog Park in Dallas has a great combination of dog park fun and water activities!

This doggie paradise is around Dallas’ largest lake with a fenced dog park and an old boat ramp is now a dog launch!

Dogs can be off-leash and swim in the water, but keep in mind it is the most popular park in the Dallas Park system so it gets busy. 

Dog washes are available for when your pooch is done. Because let’s be honest. your dog is probably going to need a rinse off before jumping in your car!

This park is closed on rainy days and on Mondays for maintenance.

5. A Legacy Photo Session 

We might be biased but think a legacy session for a senior dog is a wonderful way to capture your loyal canine companion furever.

You know we have a soft spot for the senior pups so we’ve created our very own special photography session for senior pets. We call these Legacy Sessions and the goal is to capture images that will become your pet’s legacy. 

These sessions are extra, extra special, and tailored to your pet’s personality- to guarantee one-of-a-kind images AND a one-of-a-kind experience. 

 These sessions can be done indoors or at an outdoor location- whatever is preferred and most comfortable for your dog!

Let your dog be the star and be pampered by all of us. Bonus- wall art of your beloved dog will be a unique conversation piece you can enjoy every day!

Let us give you all in the details in a Pet Photography Style Consultation.

6. A Scavenger Hunt 

Hop in the car and have a unique quest with your dog exploring indoors and outdoors with a local scavenger hunt in Fort Worth hosted by Alley Cat Adventures.

This dog and family-friendly activity will have you going to various checkpoints solving clues and accepting challenges. 

7. Reading On the Go or at Home

Several of us on the team absolutely love reading and we recently discovered that all Half Price Books locations allow dogs. We’re lucky to have many DFW locations to choose from so you can find the nearest one by going to their website.

Take a stroll with your furry friend and find a new book to read.

Don’t forget to visit the kids’ section and show your pup the famous Dog Man series by best selling author/illustrator, Dav Pilkey. 

Some humans and their dogs are more homebodies and/or are social distancing (if you’re reading this in June 2020 you’ll understand that phrase), so joining an animal book club may make more sense. 

The Companion Animal Psychology Book Club discusses books about dogs, cats, and our relationship with companion animals. New members must commit to reading and discussing 7 to 10 books each year.

8. A Paw Print Keepsake 

You don’t have to be pro-level crafty or Pinterest talented to do an art project with your dog. 

One of our favorite ideas is creating a ceramic imprint of your dog’s one-of-a-kind pawprint.

Ceramic paw prints make amazing gifts or legacy artwork for dog and cat parents that you will cherish forever. 

We found two great options on Amazon! Here’s pawprint kit you can add photos too also! (Which we just adore… because photos…)

If you want to skip the photo part or are most interested in making an ornament- this is the pawprint kit we suggest.

9. A Party With Canine Friends 

Celebrate your pup’s next birthday with a “Dawg Pawty” at The Pooch Patio in Dallas, Texas.

You can also have a Bark Mitzvah, Yappy Hour, Pet Memorial, and/or Breed Specific Meet n’ Greets. 

The Pooch Patio offers a 55″ television playing Dogtv, indoor and outdoor activities where pups can be unleashed, and an exterior misting system. 

After the party, dogs can go to The Spaw Style Bar Cleansing for the ultimate grooming experience. The Pooch Patio offers bath services to suit every need.

10. Celebrate With Cake

Celebrate your pup’s birthday, adopt-a-versary, or any special day together. There are a lot of great places to get a cake in DFW, but our favorite place to shop is from our friends at Simba’s Barkery

Get a customized, made to order cake for your pooch and his or her pals!! Cakes and treats can be made vegan, gluten-free, grain-free or adjusted to any other dietary restrictions your dog may have. Don’t forget to ask about their white-glove dog cake delivery option.

Simba’s Barkery also makes it easy with a DIY Dog Birthday Party Kit to have a party at home. The current birthday party themes are Black Tie, Pupstache, and Unicorn. (We can’t decide which is the best one!)

Want more than just a one time treat? Simba’s Barkery also has an amazing monthly subscription treat box. Each month the cookies change based on the theme of the month. How fun is that?!

11. A Movie Date  

Living in DFW is awesome for many reasons, especially because it’s home to the world’s first dog-friendly movie theater, K9 Cinemas.

Dogs can bring their humans out for a movie- complete with soft drinks wine, whiskey, and popcorn, candy, and jerky for the dogs! 

Currently, in June/July of 2020, K-9 Cinemas is hosting social distancing movie events outdoors. The movies are dog themed and family-friendly. Bring your dog, lawn chair, blankets, and enjoy! Be sure to check out their website for more information and showtimes.

What Next?

Get out there and enjoy every moment with your senior pet! We know we will!

Let us know if you try any of these activities on our bucket list!

Tag us on Facebook or Instagram @jennareganphotography or email us at hello@jennaregan.com to share your stories.

Oh and bonus points if you can share dog photos!

Do you have a suggestion for more ways to create memories with your senior dog?

We’d love to hear it and expand our Senior Dog Bucket List! Email hello@jennaregan.com with the subject “Senior Dog Bucket List” and tell us your ideas!