Lavish parties gone to the dogs

Dr. Marty Becker   /  Knight Ridder

Last year in the United States, more than 700,000 pets enjoyed being the life of a party thrown in their honor.

Sweet 16s and bachelor bashes are so yesterday. Today, in America, lavish parties have gone to the dogs.

Instead of being a wedding crasher, if you really want to party like an animal, find a favored feline or pampered pooch enjoying its special day, bring the fur family and join in toasting the furry guest of honor.

Labrador retriever owner Tyler Hurst, 26, of Phoenix, got the idea to throw a party for his pet after visiting a neighbor's son's first birthday party.

"I don't have a child yet. My family pretty much consists of Tiny Toons (the dog) and me," says Hurst. "I didn't want to miss out on all the fun stuff, so I decided to have a birthday party for him."

"Dogs aren't the only ones having fun. Dog parties unleash the true party animal in everyone," says Arden Moore, pet expert and author of "Dog Parties: How to Party with Your Pup."

"Snicker if you will, but deep down inside, you know that you would rather attend a dog party than a boring candle party," Moore says. "At dog parties, you don't have to worry about wearing the right clothes or making the right small talk. Dogs take center stage and you get to revel in the moment."

It's time for people who have been throwing clandestine pet parties for years to come out of the shadows and bathe in the spotlight. Pampering pets, including throwing parties on their behalf, is not just socially acceptable, it's avant-garde, cool, de rigueur, or as Paris Hilton says holding her canine accouterment Tinkerbell, "That's hot!"

Pets aren't the only ones getting high from partying down. Pet product manufacturers with double digit increases in sales are smiling, too – all the way to the bank.

Moore offers these tips from her book to ensure a successful bow-wow bash:

•Pick the right place. You can host a small party inside your home if you have dog-proofed the area, like the living room. For outdoor parties, make sure the site has a fence or other enclosure to keep dogs from fleeing the party scene.

Also, check with your local municipality for any necessary permits if you want to host a party at a park.

•Select the right party guests. You don't want a canine bully at your party. If your best friend has a dog-aggressive dog, then invite her, not her dog.

Let her know it is for the safety of all guests, but make sure that you give her some party treats and gifts to take home to her dog.

•Set a time limit. The best dog parties have a definite starting and stopping time and generally do not last more than two hours. It is important that owners are present for the party and keep their dogs on leashes until the host instructs them otherwise.

•Offer safe treats and prizes. Contact guests in advance and ask if their dogs have any food allergies. You can make your own treats or order canine-friendly cakes and other goodies at doggy bakeries.

Make sure every canine guest receives parting gifts.

Your dog has always been there for you, to listen to your problems and even to help you clean up after you drop something on the floor. Why not do something to show him how much you love and appreciate him.

After all, we all know that the family that parties together stays together.