Pets are our kids. (Pfft, sometimes maybe even a little better than our kids). On your special dog\’s day, you\’ll want to go above and beyond to give them a memorable birthday. A few extra tummy scratches and dog bone just might not cut it this year.
This simple guide shows pet parents how to plan a party that will have you and your friend\’s dogs howling “party of the year!”
Plan Out the Soiree
This is the hard part. Once the plans are done, all you have left to do is to party and have fun.
Guest List:
At first, it might seem like a good idea to invite all your friends from the local dog meetup, all your friends who own a dog, and all your friends with dogs from work, and so on and so forth. Before long you might have a pretty extensive list on your hands. Let’s dial it back.
Think about your dog.
Is your dog the perky one at the dog park leading the wrestling matches? Or, does your dog like to get the attention of your human friends?
Either direction you go, keep your dog’s entertainment in mind, and the numbers on the guest list manageable.
Location:
Again, what is your dog into? The dog beach? The dog park? Or, do you have a pooch that loves luxury and likes to be spoiled?
Depending on the time of the year outdoor dog recreational sites can be a great place to host your dog’s birthday event. Dog parks and beaches have benches and pavilions to set up refreshments. Some even have grills where you can BBQ human and doggie treats.
Dog hotels and resorts are can also play a great host. Plus, they can supply all the amenities of a really amazing time.
Gifts
You know your dog the best. Will they need a new tug-o-war toy to keep them busy and provide oral care? Or, is your dog in serious need of a new dog bed because the old one is just too dirty?
A great gift that keeps on giving is taking your dog to Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique for a spa day. Groomers will hook up a facial, a luxurious bath, trim nails, clean ears, and take of the glands leaving your doggie refreshed and tranquil.
Pet parents would be surprised how much a dog can appreciate a day at the spa. Overly long nails can be horribly uncomfortable and impede a dog’s posture and torque their spine. Without a good brushing and bathing. hair will matt and hot spots can occur. A nice facial will flush out a dog’s tear stains and alleviate any tear duct blocking.
A spa day is a gift that will show your dog just how much you love them. That, and treats! Don’t forget the treats!
Invites:
A doggie birthday is different from a human birthday. It has a certain element of canine pizazz. So should the invite letters. Use dog puns, or clever wording to get the theme across. Here are some examples of wording you can steal for inspiration.
Example 1
Woof. Woof. Bark. Bark. Chase tail, get bored. Lay down. Bark.
Translation:
Dear Fido,
I am planning on a having a shindig for my 21st (3rd) birthday. I am finally old enough to drink doggie beer and I am really excited to find out what it tastes like.
I have planned some really cool festivities for us and our two-legged parents.
We will be eating treats and playing some pawesome dog games,
Run on down to
Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique
3131 Tails Wagging Lane,
Barkingtonville, California
United Pawstates.
ARF-VSP to my mom. Number, (777)-413-WOOF
Or,
Example 2
Calling all Party Animals,
Mercedes is turning 91, or really 13 this year and we are planning the Paw-ty of a lifetime to commemorate her special day fur-ever. When you see her at the party please tell her “Happy 7th Birthday.”
We have drinks, treats, and some fun surprises along the way. The theme will be breakfast at Sniff-anys.
Join us for some fun, both human and doggie to help us raise the ruff!
We’ll be going Mutts
@ Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique
2895 Muttropolitan Way
Woofington, New Yorkie, New Yorkie
Paw-some Decorations
Everyone loves a good themed party. When you combine this with dogs, the possibilities are endless.
A few pop culture examples could be, “Don’t stop retrievin’ hold onto that feline—a Journey of a party through the years of my dog.” You could get a cardboard cutout of the band Journey and replace the musicians faces with your dogs.
Another idea is to have a Paw-llyWood party. Guests can dress themselves and their dogs up as their favorite celebrity.
Or, you could just throw a simple Bark-B-Q.
Take a human themed party and turn it on its head. Fill up jars with doggie treats and toy balls. Buy dog beer which is malt barley and protein (super safe and nutritious for dogs and of course non- alcoholic).
Breed specific decorations are always a crowd favorite. Novelty party items like napkins, cups, and other decorum are widely available to celebrate any breed or mixed breed pup. Your dog will love it!
Let’s Talk Treats
Okay. Let’s talk birthday cake first. Of course, your dog can’t eat the chocolate-sugar-carbohydrate filled death wish for a dog, but is great for humans. Wait. There is hope. It is super easy to bake a healthy doggie birthday cake.
Carrot Peanut Butter Cupcakes
Ingredients
1 Egg
- 1?4 Cup Peanut Butter (No Xylitol)
- 1?4 Cup Cooking Oil
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1?3 Cup Honey (optional)
- 1 Cup Shredded Carrots
- 1 Cup whole Wheat Flour
- 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 Degrees F.
- Sparingly Grease a 6 Cup Mold.
- Combine Egg, Peanut Butter, Oil, Vanilla, and Honey into Blending Bowl.
- Blend Ingredients Until Fine.
- Stir in Carrots and Mix Thoroughly.
- Sift 1 Cup Flour with 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda. Then Fold into the Carrot Mixture.
- Spoon Cake Batter into Molds.
- Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes.
- Let cake cool in pan for 10 minutes.
- Remove from Molding and Let Cake Cool Completely.
Bone Appetite!
Chicago Style Hot Dogs
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Butter
- 1?2 Cup Confectioner Sugar
- 2 Cups Whole-Wheat-Flour (Healthy) All-Purpose-Flour (Realistic Look)
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
- Red Food Coloring
- Green Food Coloring
- 3 Teaspoons Flaked Coconut
- Yellow Decorator Frosting
Directions
- Cream Butter and Sugar Together.
- Beat Flour and Vanilla Together
- Remove 1 Cup Dough.
- Add Red Food Coloring and Knead Until Dough is Monochromatic.
- Cover and Chill All Remaining Dough for 60 Minutes.
- For Hot Dogs; Divide Red Dough into 16 Portions.
- Shape into 2 1?2 Inch Hotdog Shapes with Rounded Ends.
- Set aside.
- Divide Plain Dough into 16 Portions.
- Shape into 3 Inch Bun Shapes.
- Make Length-wise Groove in the Center of Each Bun.
- Place 3 Inches Apart on a Sparingly Greased Pan.
- Place Hotdogs in Buns.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes or until edges brown.
- Cool.
- For the Pickle Relish Condiment; Place Coconut Flakes into Plastic Bag Adding Green Food Coloring.
- Shake Well.
- Garnish Each Hot Dog Accordingly.
- Mustard; Swivel Stripes of Yellow Frosting Down Hot Dog.
Bone Appetite!
Games for Dogs. Entertainment for the humans.
Try filling KONG treats around the party letting the dogs stay busy sniffing them out. If they find a treat, finders keepers. The dog toy will be part of their doggie bag to take home from the party. (All puns intended). Another fun game is to hang filled KONG treats from the ceiling for a jump contest. Hang the KONGs low enough that dogs will be able to pull them down without disruption.
Everyone wants to leave a party with a good keepsake to remember all the festivities. Setting up a “selfie” photo booth with some props makes a fun and easy place for everyone to gather up the pupparazi and snap some great memories. The options are wide with setting up a photo booth. You can go out and hire a professional photographer, or a take a trip to your local print center to create an original backdrop as a prop.
Aside from all the fetching and playing the dogs will be doing, pet parents can set up problem-solving dog bowls for a fun competition to see whose dog can beat the puzzle first and get the treat. There is an abundance of these type of dog bowls on the market. They are great for mental stimulation to challenge the naturally curious and playful dogs at home.
Make sure to leave around plenty of dog bowls filled with water so pups can stay hydrated while they play.
Have fun, and happy birthday!
Follow Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique:
- Website: http://splashanddashfordogs.com/
- Website: https://splashanddashfranchise.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/splashanddashfordogs/
- Instagram: @splashanddashfordogs
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-j-barton-622ab517
- Twitter: splashanddash4dogs
