PET BIRTHDAY PARTIES - IT'S MY PARTY & I'LL BARK IF I WANT TO: DOG BIRTHDAY PARTY PLANNING IDEAS, YUMMY TREATS, DECOR, GIFTS, ACTIVITIES & PARTY FAVORS - FASHIONTRIBES PET PODCAST & BLOG

PET BIRTHDAY PARTIES - IT'S MY PARTY & I'LL BARK IF I WANT TO: DOG BIRTHDAY PARTY PLANNING IDEAS, YUMMY TREATS, DECOR, GIFTS, ACTIVITIES & PARTY FAVORS - FASHIONTRIBES PET PODCAST & BLOG - MP3 File

Who doesn't love a party, especially if you're being showered with gifts - and pets are no different. Pets are part of the family, so they deserve a special birthday celebration, just like the human members of the family. And yes, they really do enjoy a nice party thrown in their honor. What gregarious canine doesn't love being the center of attention, especially if there are tons of fun playmates in attendance - both two- & four-legged - and tasty treats.

So show your best bud some love on their next birthday with a groovy party and lots o' great pet swag.

DECIDE ON AN OFFICIAL PET B-DAY DATE If your pet is a rescue or you adopted him or her from an animal shelter, you probably won't know the official birthday. No worries - PamperedPuppy.com suggests celebrating what really matters: the really important "gotcha" date - when Fido became part of the family.

LOCATION This will determine the number of dog guests you can invite. PamperedPuppy.com has these suggestions.

• LOCAL OFF-LEASH PARK Your pup and his pals can romp to their hearts' content, while you and the other pet owners can picnic, play frisbee, or just enjoy chilling and being outdoors. Before you sent out the invites, don't forget to check with the park service to see if you need permission or have to book in advance.
• DOGGIE DAYCARE, DOG BAKERY, PET STORE OR PET RESORT All of these spots are already pet-friendly and ready-to-go. The bonus of using a dog bakery is that catering is already there and easy to set up.
• BACKYARD BBQ If you've got a reasonably spacious backyard - or you can con one of your pals into using theirs - a BBQ is a really budget-friendly way to get together, celebrate and not break the bank. (Photo: FotoSearch.com)

FOUR-LEGGED GUESTS Top of the invite list should be whoever your pooch pals around with at the dog run or doggie daycare - provided whoever is at the other end of the leash isn't a total doofus since you'll be spending the afternoon entertaining them. Other possibilities include nice canines from the hood, and don't forget about the dog next door. But if you've got any lingering doubts about a dog, think twice about extending an invite. "Nothing can spoil a party faster than an overly aggressive dog trying to dominate other canine party guests or small children who may be attending," advises PamperedPuppy.com.

TWO-LEGGED GUESTS In addition to the owners of your puppy's friends, if your family isn't too dysfunctional, invite immediate & extended family members, and any other dog lovers you know. Small kids can add lots of fun, mischievious energy to a party...just don't invite too many or we guarantee, you'll pull all of your hair out (not a great look for Fall).

BE PREPARED Ascertaining in advance what might kill one of the guests - such as allergies, especially to nuts - is a good way to avoid a real bummer on the big day. Also, have plastic baggies, cleaning spray and lots of paper towels on hand. Accidents happen, so you'll need a decent first aid kit on hand like the Bow Ow First Aid Kit for Dogs from PetFirstAidKits.com. And don't forget to keep the vet's number handy.

FOOD There's no such thing as a great bash - for people or pets - without tasty beverages & yummy eats. These are the basic necessities:

• WATER Lay out lots of drinking bowls for your dog guests, and mineral water for your human guests.
• EATS If you serve doggie bakery treats, you might consider laying out everything buffet-style with labels so that your human guests don't mistakenly dip into the dog chow. TailWagginsBakery.com has an array of decadent glazed sandwich cookies, crunchies, and even a "cream cheese danish" with cinnamon and apple sauce. Keep human treats like chocolate and sweets, as well as garnishes like onions well out of animal reach.
• PIECE DE RESISTANCE The birthday cake of course! AnimalLoversBakery.com will bake a cake-sized hard dog treat - choose from liver or bacon flavor - in the shape of the birthday pooch's breed, personalized with name and age - and can rush it to your door within four business days. If your inner Martha needs to be channeled, FoodFunAndFacts.com offers this k-9 doggie birthday cake recipe: Combine 1 cup of white or whole wheat flour with 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Add in 1/4 cup peanut butter, 1/4 cup cooking oil, 1 cup shredded carrots, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 egg & if you want, an optional 1/3 cup honey. Mix quickly, and bake in a greased ring mold at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Frost with cottage cheese - the low fat kind if you must - and decorate with carrot pieces. Refridgerate. (Even without the honey, dogs love it).
• A LA MODE You can't serve birthday cake without ice cream! This Pooch Passions freeze dried vanilla ice cream for dogs is purportedly "packed" with nutritious Vitamin A and Calcium. Whatever. It's a birthday party - live a little. TailWagCreations.com.

PROPER PARTY DECOR For bowser's big day, set the mood with balloons, toys and treats. The Birthday Greeting Box for Dogs from PawPrints-n-Whiskers.com is convenient one-stop shopping.

GIVE GOOD GIFT What better way to show you care than with an over-the-top display of extravagance like the Bahama Mama's Pampered Puppy Birthday Box full of spa treatments like an aromatherapy coat wash and a bevy of treats like chicken croissants and a birthday pupcake from WatsonsMarketPlace.com. If this doesn't buy his love, nothing will.

FUN You've managed to get everyone assembled, so now what? Fear not - you can easily buy your way out with these handy & fun distractions:

• INSTA-TUNNELS Dogs love chasing each other in, over & through things. These lightweight, collapsible tunnels come in four sizes - from 6 feet to 15 feet long - for hours of birthday fun. AffordableAgility.com.
• TUG OF WAR PamperedPuppy.com suggests loading up on rope toys for a fun round of tug-of-war. Dog-Training.com carries a wide selection.
• BALLS TO THE WALL Have enough balls for one per dog, and play "free-for-all" fetch.
• BOBBING FOR BISCUITS According to PamperedPuppy.com, it's guaranteed fun to fill a wading pool with water, toss in some biscuits or treats, and see who retrieves them the fastest.

HAVE A KODAK MOMENT Commemorate the day by handing out disposable cameras to guests and having them snap some pix - ECameraFilms.com carries ones with a party theme. Or, splash out and bringing in a professional photog - at least you know you're guaranteed shots that are in focus with no heads or other essential body parts truncated.

"DOGGIE" BAGS Party planner extraordinaire Preston Bailey (he of the recent Trump wedding fame) suggests always sending guests home with a little sumpin' sumpin'. Kids of all ages will love these Kooky Chew Treats - a colorful dog dish filled with yummy little (human) cookies and a candy "bone" from CelebrateExpress.com. For the canine party-goers, food is always a safe bet - like little burlap sacks full of dog biscuits in flavors like chicken and peanut or garlic from ShurePets.com.

fashiontribes