Johnson: Share the love with pets, too

Observed around the world under different names and with variations in specific traditions, regardless of where or in what language it takes place, Valentine’s Day is the holiday for expression of love.

It hasn’t always been roses and candy, however, and over the centuries, the love holiday has gone through some changes.

Though clearly tied to religious namesake Saint Valentine, there has always been an aspect of nature involved in Valentine’s Day, partly because it takes place on the cusp of spring, when the natural world focuses on bringing forward new life.

Sharna Johnson

In search of ponies

It predated Saint Valentine significantly, however, historians speculate there are connections between the mid-February pagan fertility festival of Lupercalia, which was conducted by ancient Romans and the later Valentine’s Day holiday.

Used to pay homage to Rome founders Romulus and Remus — twin babies raised by a female wolf — and Faunus, the god of agriculture, the Romans hoped the gods would grant them a productive year in exchange.

Festival celebrations included sacrificing a goat and dog — both animals were seen as icons of virility and specifically, the goat represented fertility while the dog symbolized purity. After the sacrifices, strips of the goat’s hide were soaked in blood and slapped against the skin of eager women who believed they would be graced with fertility in the coming year. To end the ceremony, men drew the names of available females and from those selections; couples were paired for the year to come.

Undoubtedly romance did result from some of the unions, however love was second place to the greater priority of bearing children and prosperous crops.

Eventually, festivals such as Lupercalia were replaced by early Christian holidays, the tradition of Saint Valentine’s Day was born and it has continued to evolve throughout the years.

Though it began to take on additional meanings steeped in religion and culture, Valentine’s Day continued to hold relevance to the changing seasons of the natural world.

For English poet Geoffrey Chaucer, writing in the late 14th Century, Valentine’s Day was romantically referred to as the day when birds chose a mate, a sentimental nod to the bonding that takes place as birds enter into spring and begin nesting and raising young.

As time has gone by, Valentine’s Day has indeed grown much more sentimental and romantic. To the modern world, it has been expanded to the point that people now see it as a day to affirm their love to all those who hold meaning in their lives.

Valentine’s Day goodies and cards are now exchanged not just between romantic partners, but also between parents and children, classmates, friends and extended family.

Life too has changed and not only are bouncing baby goats the stuff heart melting viral videos are made of, but dogs and other critters also have a firm hold on the hearts of society.

Luckily for them, once an unfortunate object of pagan ritual, these creatures are still quite likely to find themselves included in the day — albeit under much different circumstances.

Of the more than $19 billion Americans are expected to spend on loved ones this Valentine’s Day, $68 million of that will be used to by special treats for pets, according to projections from The National Retail Federation.

For some, Valentine’s Day has become a commercialized holiday and there is truth in that, but at the same time, the day has grown to reveal a much softer and more affectionate side to people.

So if heart shaped biscuits or a new scratching post are the way you chose to say “Be Mine” this year, by all means, share the love.

Sharna Johnson is a writer who is always searching for ponies. You can reach her at:

[email protected].