By KRISTEN LEVINE
Tribune correspondent

This is true love.
His tail wags in turbo mode when I get home. He follows me everywhere, watches my every move. If I get up to go to another room, he jumps up to follow. When he sees me getting ready to leave home, he either whines to go along or drops to the floor in a heap — with a pout on his face.
Yes, Bucky is my sweetheart. The most reliable source of 24/7 love I will ever find. But our love is not unusual. Millions of pets and people share the same loving bond with their dogs, cats, birds, bunnies and other critters.
Next week, we celebrate the ones we love. More than 9 million pet owners will purchase a Valentine’s gift for their pet this year, says a recent survey by the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association.
Gourmet cookies, sterling heart charms, pink rhinestone sunglasses and heart-shaped beds are just a few of the fancy items being peddled at pet retailers and boutiques around Tampa Bay.
Bucky loves plush toys that squeak. So for Valentine’s Day, I’ll surely shell out at least $10 for that perfect squeaky gift.
Sweethearts All Year Long
Though Valentine’s Day provides the perfect excuse to treat your pet to goodies, animal lovers don’t need to wait for a holiday to show their affection.
Some people have birthday parties for their pets. Others put their pets in doggie day care and some buy additional pets to give their animal companionship.
A survey conducted last year by the American Animal Hospital Association shows that 18 percent of pet owners have attended a pet birthday party away from home.
Carrie Weintraub of Tampa says her female boxer pup, Marly, goes to doggie day care three days a week.
“We both work and hate the thought of her staying home alone for 10 hours,” Weintraub says.
“We like that she can burn energy while we are away, so she’s tired like us after the workday.”
The Weintraubs pay $45 a week for the service.
Even though Elizabeth Isbell of Tampa spent hours playing with Lizzie each day, her 7-month-old bulldog craved the companionship of other dogs.
“She’s such a social dog. We felt guilty that she didn’t have a sibling,” Elizabeth Isbell says. “So we got another bulldog, Max, so Lizzie wouldn’t be lonely.”
The Isbells also bought a $400 dog stroller to take Max and Lizzie on long, leisurely strolls.
Even “grandparents” of animals get into the act of pampering pets.
Edie Levine spent $15 on gourmet dog cookies at a Fort Lauderdale pet boutique before driving to Tarpon Springs to visit her son, daughter-in-law and granddogs. “I always bring the babies something,” she says.
 ANIMAL ATTRACTIONS: Planning a trip to the Florida State Fair? Here are some must-sees for animal lovers:
Doggies of the Wild West: Comedy canines perform exciting stunts. All dogs in the show were rescued from animal shelters and now entertain audiences across the country with Cowboy Gary Noel. Daily at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Milking cows: If you want to brag that you “got milk,” visit the Salute to Ag Tent to take home a “I milked a cow” ribbon. Milking times are 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Or, you can watch others milk cows at the Charlie Lykes Arena at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Mooternity ward: There’s no guarantee, but you might get to see a cow delivering her calf at the fair’s Mooternity Ward in the Salute to Agriculture tent. The mothers-to-be will be housed on a raised platform to make it easier for people to watch. Farmers and ranchers also will explain the growth and development of their animals daily at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Purebred dogs: Find out about a wide variety of purebred dogs and visit with the owners about their breeds. Watch talented youngsters in the 4-H youth dog at the Purebred Dog Tent, just east of the Ag Showcase Building. The shows are at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Duck race: Cheer on your favorite ducks at the Versa Dock Great American Duck Race. Ducks are the stars in this show, making its debut at this year’s fair. The races are held next to the Charlie Lykes Arena. Shows are daily at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.
Wynn’s Petting Zoo: Stop by the big tent on the mall to pet, feed and cuddle creatures. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The fair runs through Feb. 20 at the state fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 N., Tampa. Hours are 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Admission is $10; $5 for ages 5 to 11; and free for 4 and younger. For information, call (813) 621-7821.
NEUTER-A-THON: The Humane Society of Pinellas is taking appointments for low-cost neutering for cats and a limited number of dogs at its 10th annual Neuter-A-Thon on Feb. 18. Pre-scheduled registration is required. Cat neuter cost is $10 and dogs are $15. Each dog will be scheduled for neutering.
Write to pet-lifestyle expert Kristen Levine at Fetching Communications, P.O. Box 222, Tarpon Springs, FL 34688; fax at (727) 934-6451 or e-mail kristen@ fechingcommunications.com.