🎉 “Happy Barkday to You”: The Fine Art of Celebrating Our Pets Like the Royalty They Are

There was a time—not so long ago—when pet birthdays were, shall we say, optional. Maybe you tossed an extra Milk-Bone to the dog or bought the cat a toy that would be ceremoniously ignored within 3.4 seconds. But somewhere along the way, things escalated.

Fast-forward to Domino’s 3rd birthday—a full-fledged canine gala complete with a handmade peanut-butter cupcake, a new squeaky toy, a rendition of “Happy Birthday” that sounded like a wounded choir of middle-schoolers, and yes, a festive birthday scarf that made her look like a dog about to win Best Dressed at the Westminster Gala of Excessively Loved Pets.

🐾 The New Normal: Party Hats for Paws

Let’s be honest: our pets have no idea what’s happening. Domino sat there with her little party scarf, looking alternately smug and suspicious, as if she was thinking, “You people are out of your minds—but I’m in.”

I lit a candle (don’t worry, dog-safe distance maintained) and presented her treat with great ceremony. She inhaled it in two bites. Not savored. Inhaled. Meanwhile, we humans clapped like we’d just watched Beethoven perform the Ninth Symphony.

And the singing. Oh, the singing. There’s no elegant way to sing “Happy Birthday” to a dog who thinks the applause means she’s about to get seconds. Domino barked twice, licked the air, and strutted around like a toddler in a superhero cape.

🦴 “Special Treats” and Other Absurdities

You’d think “special treat” would mean filet mignon or something gourmet. But no—Domino’s special treat was a peanut butter and pumpkin biscuit shaped like a bone. Organic, of course, because heaven forbid she ingest non-artisanal wheat.

She devoured it, burped with pride, and then—like any polite birthday guest—dragged her new toy under the couch, where it will now live in exile until the next geological era.

Meanwhile, I found myself saying things like, “Domino, it’s your special day!” and “Smile for your birthday picture!”—which would sound completely insane if not for the fact that everyone I know is doing the same thing.

🎂 When Did This Become a Thing?

I blame Instagram. Somewhere between the first “pupcake” and the thousandth dog-in-a-party-hat post, pet birthdays went from sweet idea to competitive sport.

We’re all just trying to outdo each other’s dogs. Domino got a scarf? Well, Baxter next door has a doggie bakery cake with frosting made from goat yogurt and a personalized candle shaped like a paw.

At this rate, I fully expect to receive an invitation to a hamster quinceañera next year. RSVP required. Dress code: “sparkle casual.”

🐕 It’s Ridiculous… and Perfect

But let’s be real: our pets deserve it. They put up with us—our moods, our questionable cooking, our endless selfies—and love us anyway.

Domino doesn’t care if her scarf clashes with the sofa or if her birthday treat costs more per ounce than Wagyu beef. What age loves is the attention. The laughter. The chaos. The sheer joy of knowing that for one shining moment, she is the undisputed King of the Living Room.

So yes, we’ll keep celebrating. We’ll keep singing off-key and buying treats shaped like bones. Because every day with a good dog (or cat, or parrot, or gerbil) is worth celebrating—and if we need a flimsy excuse to throw a party, well, pass the pupcakes and hit play on “Who Let the Dogs Out.”

Happy 3rd Birthday, Domino.

You’re ridiculous, adored, and entirely too photogenic.

Now go drag that scarf through the mud, because that’s what love looks like.

Julie Bolejack, MBA

Website: juliebolejack.com

Shop: mindfulactivist.etsy.com

Would you like me to add a short humorous “Pet Birthday Etiquette” box at the end — e.g., “Do not invite cats unless there’s wine,” “No squeaky toys before 8 AM,” etc.? It would be perfect for your newsletter layout.