This time of year, love is in the air. Just ask any of the four-legged romantics below who share a special bond. Read their stories, and check out our suggestions for great Valentine’s Day gift ideas.
pets@nypost.com
THE LOVERS: Spencer & Angela
Angela, a 6-year-old pit bull mix, has always been a bit of a bitch. According to owner Cat Erwin of Brooklyn, the Hurricane Katrina rescue has a serious case of “only-child syndrome.”
“She takes up the entire bed, eats half of everything I do and doesn’t share with other dogs,” she says. But that all changed when she met Spencer, Erwin’s co-worker’s 6-year-old pit bull mix — a former bait dog in a dog-fighting ring — at their pet-friendly office. “I was nervous that she’d attack him, but after their first walk around the block together they’ve been inseparable,” says Erwin.
The two snuggle on the couch together, greet clients at the front door in tandem and make puppy-dog eyes when apart. “She’s still sort of a bitch,” says Erwin. “But never to Spencer. It must be true love.”
* Gift Ideas:Since these loving pups like to do everything together, Spencer should get Angela this romantic Lazybonezz double feeding dish ($79 at 114 W. 26th St.; lazybonezz.com).
The energetic couple also loves to play tug of war, so we suggest Angela get her man the Orbee-Tuff tug toy ($22 at Trixie + Peanut, 23 E. 20th St.; trixieandpeanut.com).
THE LOVERS: Murphy & Sherman
It was love at first sight for playful Sherman, a 4-year-old mutt, and introverted but lovey-dovey Murphy, an 8-year-old mixed breed. The two met when owners, Manhattanites Jen Schoen and Penny Bittone, started dating — Sherman belongs to Bittone and Murphy to Schoen.
Their favorite place to hang out is Schoen’s parent’s backyard in Rockland County, where they have plenty of space to chase squirrels and eat sticks together. ➡ Gift Ideas:
Murphy can reassure Sherman that he loves all his outgoing energy with a plush squeaky conversation toy from Great Choice ($2.39 each; PetSmart, 632 Broadway; petsmart.com).
Sherman will love making kissy faces at Murphy thanks to the Humunga Lipsfetch toy ($12; Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store, 365 State St., Brooklyn; moodypet.com) that gives the look of a cute pout.
THE LOVERS: Buster & Franklin
When Rebecca Benison of Long Island brought home her tortoise, Franklin, she initially kept him away from her rescue dog, Buster. “He hadn’t been good with my sister’s rabbit, so I didn’t know how he’d react to a small animal like Franklin,” says Benison.
But one morning, Buster made a beeline for Franklin’s cage and licked him on the nose. “Franklin now always sticks his head between the bars wanting to be pet by his friend,” says Benison.
* Gift Ideas:Franklin’s favorite treat of all time? Strawberries! Buster’s best bet is to pick up a carton for his special tortoise pal.
These two may love spending time together, but Buster deserves some active play, too. With this P.L.A.Y. tunnel ($59 at petplay.com) he’ll be entertained for hours. Thanks, Franklin!
THE LOVERS: Odin & Mystery Miss
On New Year’s day, Odin, a 6-month-old tabby mix, was out with owner Layla Wilde, of Westchester, when a mysterious cat wandered onto their property. The blue-eyed purebred, who Wilde suspects could be a silver Bengal, was “a beauty.” Since then, the two have been playing several times a week.
* Gift Ideas: Since these cats adore playing, Odin should get Mystery Miss a Faux-Fur Mice Cat Toy ($2 at 424 Hudson St.; zoomiesnyc.com).
Now that Mystery Miss is smitten, these Double Devotion connected catnip hearts ($8 at Trixie + Peanut, 23 E. 20th St.; trixieandpeanut.com) will keep them together forever.