Happy Father's Day to All the Dad's of Pets They Said They Didn't Want | DIY Father's Day
 

Have you heard the saying, "There's no greater love than between a Dad and the pet he said he didn't want?"

100% true. Especially with my Dad (heck, even Danny!) A few years ago my sister in law sent me the link to some 6 month old Border Collie pups her friends' sister was trying to re-home. (My sibling in laws all went through a phase of sending me links to rescues and pups that needed homes knowing my weakness - as well as my track record. 2 for 2! ha!) What they didn't know was that every link they sent me, I showed my mom. I grew up with animals, my mom grew up with animals. My Dad, did not. That's not to say he didn't have any - he had a cat or two, but cats and dogs are very different. So that day when I showed her these cute little pups that needed a loving home with kids, I thought it'd go like it had every other time. This time - however, mom said we could go, "look at them." I couldn't believe what I was hearing! I remember saying, "Woo!! You guys are getting dogs!" To which Mom replied, "We are going to go look at them, if anything we'll just get one." I vividly remember replying, "You're getting TWO DOGS!" - All of this happened while Dad was at work. One of my more reasonably thinking siblings thought to call dad and give him a heads up. He knew what "looking at" meant. 

That evening he came home from work to two, energetic, Border Collies: Nala and Kida. 

And just like every other Dad with a forced upon pet, over time they became the best of buds. 

In my meme scrolling and sharing with my siblings in our group chat, I came across a picture that inspired this entire project: Matching BFF shirts for my Dad and his dogs. 

I got to work - my Dad is pretty clever, so I had to play the long game if I wanted it to be a surprise. First a took pictures of my Dad's dogs, then on a separate day, a few days later, asked my Dad if I could take a headshot of him for a project I was working on. He was pretty hesitant at first, but gave in when I pulled the "Father's Day" card. 

Materials:

- White cotton shirts (one for Dad, and one for each dog)

- Iron on transfer paper

- Pictures

- Scissors

- Iron

Step 1: Obtain your pictures you'll be using (You can do this sneakily or just scroll through your camera roll to see if you have anything usable)

Step 2: Prep your pictures by mirroring them (flip horizontally) so that they print right side up on the Iron on paper. If you want to add fun text feel free to do so. I also (quickly) cut out the face in photoshop to save on ink - but it's not necessary. 

Step 3: Print your pictures onto your transfer paper and then cut them out

Step 4: Prep your T-shirts. For the dogs I cut out a chunk of the front to allow room for tummy, legs, tail, etc. I also tapered in the arm holes to give them a more "fitted" look in the arms. (This is totally optional) 

Step 5: Following the directions on your Iron on transfer paper, iron them onto the shirts

Step 6: Tackle your Dad's dogs and bribe them with treats to let you dress them

Step 7: Release the dogs and give Dad his new BFF shirt

Step 8: Make him wear it and take plenty of pictures

The End.