BIRTHDAY PARTIES FOR DOGS

By Monday, July 20, 2015 48 , Permalink

Birthday Parties for Dogs, Whine & Cheese Social Hours, Bark Mitzvah’s and Puppy Showers. When did these pet fete’s all start?

If you “google” parties for dogs the list of results are endless. You can find all sorts of ideas:

  • Planning the party
  • DIY invitations
  • Game ideas
  • Treat recipes
  • The cake
  • Goodie Bags

Apparently this has grown into a huge market among pet parents who wish to celebrate the milestones of their favorite furry four legged family members.

CHECK THIS OUT –

  • According to a National Pet Owner Survey of 1,019 pet owners, 50% actually celebrate their pet’s birthday, while 79% give their pets holiday or birthday presents. Common gifts: “a play toy” or “snacks”, followed by “clothing”. #guilty
  • According to an American Pet Association Poll of 17,121 pet owners, 9,843,962 dog owners celebrate their dogs’ birthdays. #guiltyagain

Earlier this month Harley and Jax helped host a birthday bash for their buddy Piper…

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That’s right, the boys hung out their shingle and let the good times roll…

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photo courtesy of 4vector.com

Piper (to us) is like “part of our pack” so when her Dachsmom suggested celebrating her 10th birthday with the boys they of course barked out a resounding,

WOOF!

The weather was pawfect so we agreed to an outdoor event. Piper’s family brought everything required to turn our deck into a pawty extravaganza.

There were hats for the guests…

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But the birthday girl had some difficulty with her hat. It would not stay on…

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Human served hors d’oeuvres were available all afternoon long…

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A few libations loosened Piper right on up. She even broke out in song…

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But it can’t feel much like your birthday if you don’t have a birthday bone…

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By the time they were ready to howl “Happy Birthday” poor Jax was so confused. He thought since this took place at his house – the shindog was for him…

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It was too difficult to explain – so we allowed him to believe what he wanted…

Watching them play and romp in the backyard…

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…made me daydream about a whole new business…

Dog-Parties-R-Us-(1)But “thank the Doodle” Harley barked and brought me back 🙂

ONE MORE THING…

The weekend was crazy. I tried my hand at having a yard sale. #dontask The prep work nearly killed me. Harley was thoroughly ticked off after riding around putting up signs…

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Don’t know how to measure “success” when it comes to yard sales. I enjoy watching other people grin as they tote my belongings to their cars. And I am just as thrilled to set up a pick-up date with “Purple Heart” for those items left behind.

Later that evening, we all got cozy and finally finished season 3 of Orange is the New Black. #crazyeyes

I think Jax has a crush on “Red#casanovadoodle

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And how was your weekend?

I am joining the Monday Mischief blog hop brought to you by Alfie’s BlogSnoopy’s Dog BlogMy Brown Newfies. The Hop that wraps up the weekend 🙂

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48 Comments
  • Earl Lover
    July 20, 2015

    Our dogs have parties on their barkdays, of course!! They always enjoy a doggy cake, and they have loads of presents, including foodie treats, toys, and more! They even receive cards from their friends! They also walk around all day parading a barkday badge.

    All birthdays are special – each birthday only happens once – human and animal alike!

    sumskersandearlskers13.blogspot.com

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 21, 2015

      Earl, that’s the PAWfect comment! All birthday’s are special, it doesn’t matter how you recognize each of them it’s only important that you do!

  • Caren Gittleman
    July 20, 2015

    that party looks like it was a blast. Personally, I would probably never do it….Dakota dislikes most dogs lol. I did feature a really cool website over a year ago on his blog that specializes in dog parties though!

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 21, 2015

      Well now, if Dakota doesn’t like other dogs, your party fate is somewhat set LOL You can still have them, just with human guests. It’s all good, the dogs just want the food and the toys, we like to photos LOL

  • Two French Bulldogs
    July 20, 2015

    Excellent! Who doesn’t have a doggy party!
    Lily & Edward

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 21, 2015

      Believe it or not, many people prefer to celebrate milestones privately. Harley hasn’t had many, but throwing a party for someone else was a lot of fun.

  • DashLilly
    July 20, 2015

    Jax did seem to keep getting back in line for treats didn’t he? What a perfect party. Piper is lucky to have friends like Harley and Jax. A garage sale? I could go off on you but I have to admit… I am thinking about the same thing. Turns out my neighborhood is having a huge sale on August 1. They say we just have to haul our things to our front yard, price the junk, er treasures, and wait for the buyers. I am tempted, believe me, I am tempted…. Happy Monday!

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 21, 2015

      Jax tried to eat everything Deirdre. He was hilarious. If I were you #justsaying I would jump on that Aug 1st neighborhood sale. The more people participating the more traffic. I wish my neighborhood would do one (nope, don’t want to organize it) they are always so much more successful.

  • LeeAnna Paylor
    July 20, 2015

    casanovadoodle. You are too funny! The party was just right, not too many doggies to get into mob mentality. Jax is remarkable restrained for a baby. Can’t wait to see his party! Harley, as always, handsome in repose. LeeAnna

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 21, 2015

      LeeAnna, I think Jax believes he’s already had his party. He certainly tried to be the guest of honor the entire afternoon. Jax was born on New Years Eve, and my daughter was born on New Years Day, so there’s no telling what I may come up with – stay tuned.

  • Monika & Sam
    July 20, 2015

    Sam would probably enjoy it, it’d be too stimulating though for me! 🙂

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 21, 2015

      Start small, only have one dog over…

  • nichole
    July 20, 2015

    Oh, we LOVE a good birthday paw-ty! Looks like you guys had lots of fun!

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 21, 2015

      The pups had fun and surprisingly so did the humans. It was a good day.

  • Emma
    July 20, 2015

    Wow, lots of action. Their little friend is pretty funny with the two big white fluffballs! I was at my nose work trial Sat and Sun Mom was working the next level. We are both worn out!

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 21, 2015

      I read you post Emma – congratulations on your trials. I can imagine you were pretty tired after it was all over.

  • Talent Hounds
    July 20, 2015

    Who doesn’t love a good pawty?!

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 21, 2015

      That’s what I’m talking about Talent Hounds. There’s always time for a celebration!

  • Fiona
    July 20, 2015

    Wow I think I am missing out. I normal get a bit of liver cake, if I am lucky, on my gotcha day. Not even any frosting! I will report back about this oversight and hope things improve next time.
    Muffin x

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 21, 2015

      Muffin – I believe you should definitely bark at the humans in charge. Let them know you’re ready for them to step their game up!

  • Elaine
    July 20, 2015

    What a fun party! The birthday cake toy is really cute too. I’m going to have to look for that before Haley’s birthday rolls around this December.

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 21, 2015

      Elaine, it came from Amazon Prime. Nice and soft, and can be used again and again and again.

  • Yvonne Smith
    July 20, 2015

    Thanks!
    Harley & Jax’s,
    Piper truly enjoyed her party nothing like hanging out with your besties
    Tell your mom thanks for the shoutout for my special day

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 21, 2015

      Now you know Piper is part of the pack! Wouldn’t have had it any other way!

  • Vicki Green
    July 20, 2015

    What pawty animals!

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 21, 2015

      Like it was 1999 #BOL

  • Reagan
    July 20, 2015

    Love it! We are planning a puppy party for the end of August after we get Rae and we’ll definitely keep this post in mind for planning! 🙂

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 21, 2015

      How exciting Reagan. The musical cake came from Amazon Prime. Let me know when Rae arrives, I will try to get PupBox to send you a box for your new family addition 🙂 #howexciting

  • Tenacious Little Terrier
    July 20, 2015

    We were going to have a birthday party for the dogs but one of the co-hosts couldn’t make it so we took them to the beach instead.

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 21, 2015

      The beach would have been my first choice Mr. N.

  • Chelsea Price
    July 20, 2015

    Our Riley doesn’t get along with other dogs, but if he did, we’d definitely be throwing him big parties! As it is, we just get him an extra-special treat from the dog bakery and give him extra belly rubs that day 😉 We recently finished OITNB too – what did you think of it?!

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 21, 2015

      I’m sure Riley doesn’t mind one bit if he’s the only four legged guest at his parties!

  • Jackie Bouchard
    July 20, 2015

    That looks like a super fun pawrty! We’ve never had a pawrty for our pups, but we definitely celebrate birthdays and gotcha days and they have all gotten Christmas presents.

    Sounds like your garage sale was a success. (I consider it a success if I get rid of lots of stuff – even if lots of it isn’t sold and ends up getting donated at the end. I love to get rid of stuff!)

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 21, 2015

      Sounds to me like you DO have parties for your pups, they’re just exclusive – family members only LOL I cannot tell you how tired I was from the garage sale Jackie. Today I’ve got to lug the bags out of the garage one more time for the folks from Purple Heart. They will be here in the morning.

  • MyDogLikes
    July 20, 2015

    Wow, you have had an awfully busy week! I love your business idea, we would be customers for sure!

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 21, 2015

      You could open one up in your town and we’d be a “chain” 🙂

  • De Hufford
    July 20, 2015

    Dog pawties sound like fun! Mom!

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 21, 2015

      They certainly can be especially if they’re for you 🙂

  • Pamela
    July 21, 2015

    My favorite dog parties are those that contribute to a good cause. Because I’m just one of those neurotic types who thinks having fun is never enough. Ugh.

    Anyway, I had a business idea when Honey was a puppy: Organize puppy showers for people bringing new puppies home. The idea would be to encourage socialization so the puppy would get the best start.

    Everyone on the guest list would be given an assignment to help expose the puppy gently to new things. For example, someone would bring an umbrella. Another person would wear a hat. Or a beard.

    And everyone could bring something special to donate to the local shelter.

    Of course there would be yummy food and fun games too.

    Wouldn’t that be a blast?

    I could definitely see you being the premier puppy party pup-prepeneur. 🙂

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 21, 2015

      That is a nifty idea – how come you didn’t pursue it Pamela? You would have been the PAWfect Premier Puppy PAWty PUP-prepenuer 🙂 #tonguetwister

  • Rama's Mama
    July 21, 2015

    I hear you about yard sales. Ugh. I hate them, but sometimes they are necessary to get all the old crap out. What a fun party! I have given my dogs little parties (just immediate family) but have never had one that included invites, etc. I would not be opposed to going to one, but I’m probably not going to be throwing one anytime soon. I like your Pawties R Us idea!

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 22, 2015

      Let’s say the yard sale wasn’t the highlight of my weekend, but it did serve its purpose. I for one can’t see myself doing it again for another ten years or so! Piper’s birthday party was fun, Harley usually has one at the Pet Resort – that’s where all of his friends are 🙂 Jaxson will probably have one only because he’s born on New Years Eve LOL

  • Jan K
    July 22, 2015

    What a busy weekend! The birthday party looked so fun…I could definitely see that being a successful business!
    We do yard sales every few years. It sometimes seems like a lot of work without a lot of return financially, but at least it gets things cleaned out (I think it’s getting time to do it again).

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 22, 2015

      There is a new company in our area called: Puparazzi Parties and they are really growing fast. They cater dog parties and other dog related events all year long. They seem to be quite popular and very busy. But I don’t believe that’s the career for me 🙂 You are so right about the yard sale – I’ve come to the conclusion that we are being compensated for the prep work (hence the little monetary return) vs. the value we’ve placed on the items. My closets, storage room and garage is definitely cleaner!!

  • Ann Staub
    July 23, 2015

    Oh that Piper girl is a CUTIE! What good party hosts Jax and Harley are. Good work boys!

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 23, 2015

      Piper has come a long way Ann, when she first met Harley years ago, all she did was bite him! She’s not around other dogs at all, so this has been a gradual process to say the least. Walking together from time to time has helped tremendously. Now the Boys don’t even pay her any attention – and everyone gets along fabulously!

  • Jenna,Mark “HuskyCrazed” Drady
    July 23, 2015

    That’s cool! I always just do our own little birthday party with the huskies.
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 23, 2015

      I’m okay with just Harley & Jax too, but for Piper, she’s an only pup so she “rented” us for the afternoon!