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6 Creative Ways
To Celebrate Your
Dog’s Birthday!
By Naomi Shaw
They’re not only our best friend, they’re also a member
of our family, and as such, they’re just as entitled to
celebrate their birthday with us. While we certainly
know better than to give them a chocolate cake, even
cat’s have an adverse reaction to cocoa, so what else
can we do to mark this milestone day for them?
There’s always pet treats, giving them a gift of a new toy
and animal-friendly cakes for them, but here’s six other,
fun and more creative ways to celebrate the anniversary
of your dog’s arrival on the planet:
#1 – Play Date or Party
Pet people often surround themselves with other animal
lovers inside their social circles, so it only stands to
reason that some of these acquaintances also have
dogs that are friendly with our canine. Sounds like a
great excuse for a pet-friendly party where we can all
get together, two and four-legged guests included. Be
sure to offer treats and activities for the dogs as well
as humans. If partying isn’t your thing, think of having a
playdate with their favorite four-legged friend.
#2 – Road Trip
The concept of a road trip has been movie fodder for
decades and it’s also a delightful idea for your dog on
their special day. Some dogs go crazy at the beach,
others prefer a trip to the local dog park or may enjoy
visiting an out of town relative. For example, my dog
absolutely loves to going to see my mother who lives a
couple hours from our home. Think of where they might
want to go and take them on that road trip.
#3 – Get a Portrait
You remember the old saying (actually it was more
like a bully’s taint), “Take a picture it lasts longer,” and
you can mark this special day with a photo that will
last throughout the ages. You don’t necessarily need
to hire a professional photographer since we all have
smartphones these days, but hiring a pro isn’t out of
the question either and you can also be a part of the
portrait. Don’t forget to post your photo on social media
and watch the well wishes come pouring in from the
internet.
#4 – Pamper Your Pooch
Whether you simply spend extra time with them or
spring for something more extravagant like a therapeutic
massage, they’ll certainly appreciate the extra attention.
Think of their favorite activity, whether it’s a rigorous
game of fetch or relaxing on the couch and watching a
movie. Be sure to include whatever it is that they love
the best on their special day.
#5 – Learn To Cook For Them
If you enjoy cooking, and all dogs love to eat, consider
learning how to make homemade treats for them or
feeding them meals prepared from your kitchen instead
of purchased at the store. I think we can all safely agree
these healthier eating choices will ensure our dog has
many more birthdays with us in the future.
#6 – Plant a Tree
This is probably best for a dog’s first birthday when you
can plant a tree and watch it grow along with them. Go
for a larger one that will soon offer shade, perhaps bear
some fruit and this can be a spot for the two of you to
relax in the future.
Even if you don’t know your dog’s birthday, you can
still celebrate the day they came into your life. Some
simply refer to it as an anniversary and others call it the
“gotcha day.” Any of these are reasons to celebrate the
life of your four-legged best friend.
Naomi Shaw is a freelance journalist residing in sunny Southern California
with her husband and three children. She is a work-at-home mom that
enjoys writing on fashion, beauty, jewelry, and interior design. She loves
to garden, craft, and revamp furniture, making it look very much her own.
Connect with her in Twitter at @NaomiJShaw
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