How to Throw Your Pup a Birthday Party

No longer as kooky as it once seemed, more people are unabashedly throwing birthday parties for their dogs -- especially those who don't have small, human offspring to dote on.

"I have been to so many friends' baby showers and kids birthday parties," says Rachel Passeretti, who is engaged to fiancé Robert Wu, but as yet childless. "I thought, 'Why not throw a birthday party for our dog Coco?'"

For Coco's first birthday -- Passeretti doubts they'll do it every year -- they threw a party, complete with written invitations, decorations, food, drinks, a doggy birthday cake and singing. Thirty-odd humans (and their dogs) grouped around Coco and sang a rousing rendition of the entire birthday song, while the Papillon lapped up the attention.

Jennifer-Jo Moyer and her husband Daniel Moyer have thrown their toy poodle Meteor a birthday party for the past two years. The childless couple jokingly refer to Meteor and his sister, their younger dog FiFiGiGi, as their kids. "We are not confused," says Jennifer-Jo. "But after 23 years of marriage we realize they're all we're going to get." This year, Meteor's birthday party raised $300 for the Rabies Challenge Fund.

In fact, that may be the latest trend: doggy birthday party as fundraiser. Laurie C. Williams, who refers to her dogs as her "empty nest furbabies," got her first Maltese in 2002 when her son's departure for college left a huge void in her and her husband's lives. Williams, who appeared on CBS' Greatest American Dog challenge with her Maltese Andrew, threw a birthday/fundraiser for Andrew's sixth birthday party this year that raised $2,000 for the United Maltese Rescue. "We plan to make it an annual event," says Williams.

All this begs an obvious question. Do the dogs know the party's for them?

"I don't think the dog knows it is his or her birthday," says Williams, a professional dog trainer and owner of Pup 'n Iron Canine Fitness and Learning Center in Virginia. "But I think it gives the pet parents time to celebrate what their dogs mean to them and also to spend time with other pet parents who 'get it.' Suddenly you don't feel so weird anymore because you are with others who feel the same way about their dogs as you do."

What should you know about throwing a doggy birthday party?

Whether you want to keep it simple, or go extravagant, these pointers will help you plan a barking birthday bash:

Pick a venue that is spacious, enclosed and dog-friendly. Whether it's your backyard or a doggy daycare or training center, the location of your dog's birthday party should be large enough to accommodate all your canine and human guests. In Plano, Texas, Foxy Paws pet shop actually has a "Doggie Birthday Center" just for canine birthday parties with options to hire a "puparazzi" photographer and create a red carpet entrance.

Send invitations. Depending on how casual or formal you want to be, you can send paper invitations by snail mail, email your guests or send an Evite. If you go the paper route, make your own invitations or use children's birthday party invitations; they work just as well. Ask guests to RSVP for themselves and their pups, so you know how many of each will be attending.

Consider a theme. As with any party, it's extra fun if there's a theme that can be incorporated into the invitations and party decorations. Consider themes such as Hollywood, Hawaiian luau, Mexican fiesta, or country & western, suggests Andrew's doggy mama Williams. Our own Sonia Zjawinski hosted a bark mitzvah for her three-legged dog's 13th birthday.

Provide games and activities for the dogs. Keep your "fur guests" happy and occupied says Williams. Have some games planned, like Fido Says (the doggy equivalent of Simon Says) or provide a simple agility course for the dogs to play on.

On or off leash? If the guest list is large, cautions Williams, dogs should be kept on their leashes. If the gathering is small and all the dogs are well-socialized, off-leash is fine.

Don't forget the birthday cake. Whether you make your own or order one to be made in your pup's likeness, the birthday cake is a must-have. Just make sure that if the cake is to be had by pups it contains all dog-friendly ingredients. It's up to you whether you want everyone to sing to your dog or not, or whether you want to have candles. Read more about doggy birthday cakes and cookies.

Serve refreshments. Set up two tables --- one to hold dog treats, and the other to hold snacks for humans. Keep it simple --- veggies, dip and chips are fine. Avoid serving any foods such as chocolate, raisins, grapes, etc. that can be toxic if dropped on the floor and eaten by a dog. Place some water bowls around on the floor.

Set up designated potty areas. Put some wee-wee pads down on the floor, or otherwise clearly mark where the dogs should go. Don't forget to provide plenty of poop bags!

Gift policy. If you don't want people bringing gifts for your dog, say so on the invitation. Or, in lieu of gifts, ask guests to donate to a rescue organization or animal group in your dog's name.

Doggy goody bags. It's always fun to send a little something home with your guests to thank them for coming to the party. Put together a small bag filled with treats for each of your canine guests.

What if you don't know your dog's birthday? Make it up! Lots of people who adopt their dogs from a rescue group or shelter designate the adoption date as their pet's birthday.

Tags: birthday, dog-birthday-party, dogs, party