Disney-Inspired Ways to Make A Dog’s Day

There’s no denying that humans simply love dogs.  They bring us up when we’re down, they provide comfort, and they’re always there for us.  As Disney fans, we’re all about spreading joy and sharing magic, so why not share some of that Disney magic with a dog?  

So many dogs need forever homes!  Not everyone is able to or should commit to pet adoption, of course.  Luckily, there are lots of other ways to help the loyal, loving dogs of the world- whether they are waiting for adoption or already have their forever home with you.   Read on for some inspiration about how Disney-obsessed pet lovers can make a dog’s day!

Adopt a Dog & Give Them a Disney Name

Your new fur baby will love sharing your Disney passion with you. If you’re serious about adopting, check out a local rescue organization. Many pet retail stores, like PetSmart, hold regular pet adoption events. This is a perfect opportunity to match a dog lover with the perfect shelter pet who needs a loving home.  There are many local animal shelters and online organizations committed to matching pets with the perfect owners, and we’ll link to several of them.  

If you take the plunge, your rescue dog is sure to be a best buddy for life!

There are tons of great Disney dogs you can name your pup after! Pluto, Goofy, Max, Zero, Bolt, Dug, Lady, or Lafayette- they’re just a few of the many Disney pups that your dog might look up to!

You don’t have to name your dog after a dog, though. Consider Princess or Heroine names, like Ariel, Lilo, Merida, Jasmine, or Tiana. Do you have a male pup? If so, take a look at Eric, Pongo, Beast, or Hercules! If you want to get a little quirky with it, you might name your dog after a cat- like Toulouse or Oliver- or after an even more curious being, like Stitch or Figment.

Perhaps you gravitate toward villainous names like Captain Hook, Scar, Ursula, or Gaston. I’m not sure what this says about you, but I’m sure your dog will love you, regardless.

Sidekick-inspired names might be the best fit of all, since there are so many beloved ones in the Disney catalog. How about a Bernese Mountain Dog named Baloo? A Pug named Pascal? A mutt named Meeko? A Saint Bernard named Sven?

Unless you’re a major Disney purist and you still can’t get on board with Disney owning Star Wars and Marvel, don’t discount awesome names like Yoda, Darth Maul, Poe, Loki, Groot, Rocket, or Tony Stark.

Volunteer Your Time or Donate Items to Animals in Need

Not everyone can commit to pet ownership, but you can still make a shelter pet’s day by volunteering! If you’re too sensitive a soul and will end up growing far too attached and/or crying at the shelter, consider donating some much-needed items to the rescue organization of your choice. It’s always a good choice to call first and find out what they actually need, but some common items are dog toys, food, treats, blankets, and paper towels.

If you are a newly adoptive pet parent, or you’ve been a dog owner for a while, there are lots of ways to spoil your furry friend. Disney-fanatic pet owners can find lots of ways to include their pups in the Disney love.

Go Adventuring With Your Dog

Take your furry friend to the dog park, or on an extra long walk.  You may also want to check out places in your area that are dog-friendly, which may even include some outdoor cafes and shops.  Perhaps you’ll even plan a vacation with your furry bestie. If you do, here’s a list of the 12 Most Pet-Friendly Cities in the U.S from “Bring Fido”.

Do a Doggy Health Check

Take a minute to make sure that your pup is up to date on shots and health checks.  Life gets incredibly busy, so it’s not uncommon for us to put off appointments, not only for ourselves, but for our pups.  Preventative care is important to ensuring a long and healthy life for your dog, so take a moment today to check your records or give your dog’s vet a call to make sure he or she is up to date on all recommended vaccines, screenings, and tests.  

Snuggle on the Couch

A little extra love will also make a dog’s day, even if it doesn’t include an outdoor adventure.  Let your canine get in on some couch cuddling on a rainy weekend and you’re sure to be the happiest human-dog duo around.  Of course, it’s even better if you can make it a Disney day, so why not dive into some dog-centric content on Disney+ while you’re snuggled up with the pup?  If your dog is one to freak out when he hears another dog on TV, you may want to spare yourself and skip this suggestion.  Assuming your dog can handle it, though, here’s a list of some great shows and movies on Disney+ that feature furry friends!

Here’s a great place to start:  It’s a Dog’s Life is a series on Disney+ that is all about how important dogs are in the world and celebrates the human/dog relationship. It’s edu-tainment at its finest. What makes it even cooler is that it’s hosted by Bill Farmer- the voice of Goofy & Pluto!

Have some more time? There are so many dog movies to choose from on Disney+, including the 101 Dalmations series, Bolt, Lady and the Tramp, Because of Winn Dixie, Turner and Hooch, and the adorable Buddies films. You’ll even find a few shows in National Geographic content about dogs, including Dog Whisperer and World’s Greatest Dogs. Looking for a cute dog and kid-friendly series? Check out Bluey and Puppy Dog Pals on Disney Junior!

For a more thorough list, be sure to check out The Best Dog Movies on Disney+ That Scratch The Itch!

Related: Obsessed: Confessions of a Mom Who Loves Bluey

Spoil Your Disney Dog

What better way to celebrate our canine companions than to shower them with some Disney gifts?  Disney dog owners will be thrilled to see just how much Disney-branded pet merchandise there is out there. You’ll find fun items from a variety of retailers that you probably already shop with, like Target and Kohls. There are also a few websites- notably ShopDisney.com and Chewy.com- that recently have offered a great selection. Note that some of the items pictured and referenced may not be current, depending on when you’re enjoying this article- but there’s always new pet items to explore from these sites, so be sure to browse!

Shop Disney

Disney has really upped its game in the pet supply department.  Though offerings vary from time to time, we’ve seen pet essentials for the home like food and water bowls as well as leads and collars available from ShopDisney.com. Your pet can also have Disney character-themed toys, but be careful not to mix them up with a child’s plush!   If your pet is cool with wearing clothes, you can dress them up in a t-shirt or a set of pajamas that are every bit as cute as yours!  If your pet does not enjoy clothing, spoil them by letting them stay furry and naked.  

Pets can even get into the spirit of spooky season with Halloween costumes!  Shop Disney has some pretty solid choices, but frankly we question their choice of dog models.  As a corgi owner myself, there’s no denying that no costume really fits the strangely yet perfectly designed corgi shape.  Using a corgi as a doggie model is a choice that makes me chuckle, but I’m here for the inclusion of dogs of all shapes and sizes!

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Chewy

Chewy.com has one of the most extensive collections of Disney merchandise I’ve seen.  And under the Disney umbrella you’ll also find cool pup-approved goodies featuring Star Wars, Marvel, and Pixar franchises.  

From collars and leads, to toys, to beds, to dog clothing- Chewy has an impressive variety of Disney items that will surely make your dog’s day. As a dog owner, one thing I appreciate about ordering from Chewy is their great customer service as well as their helpful size guides and pictures to help decide which toys are best for different-sized dogs.  It’s always easy to tell how big a toy is and select the right size.  

More on Pet Adoption

October is the American Humane Society’s “Adopt a Dog” month, but it’s never a bad time to look into adopting a pet who needs a home. 

For more information, please visit The Shelter Pet Project, Pet Finder, or other pet rescue organizations or local animal shelters.

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