Pet Tracks
with Jan Jaeger

PARTY ANIMALS For the past several weeks, in my neck of the woods, the air has fairly crackled from the excitement of my granddaughter's sixth birthday and the de rigueur festivities on this occasion for the kindergarten set. Party planning that had been underway for months was history in a couple of hours. As I reviewed the chaos, I have to admit that I would rather deal with any number of fourlegged celebrants than a houseful of five and six year olds pumped from too much sugar and turned loose in a room full of balloons.

When you consider that 79 percent of pet owners now acknowledge their pets' birthdays with gifts,* it should come as no surprise that the pet birthday party business is definitely on the upswing. Birthday merchandise abounds: there are invitations, party scarves, dog bone shaped candles, balloons with paw prints, elaborately decorated birthday cakes, shrink-wrapped cupcake cookies with candles, dog bone biscuits festooned with "Happy Birthday" ribbon and party packs containing the whole shebang.

After all, a birthday party is a celebration, whether for a person or for a special pet; a way to make the day memorable with family and friends. So, if you think a pet birthday party is something you might want to do for your favorite pet, first decide on your budget, both in terms of money and in the amount of time you are willing to devote to its planning.

Then, prepare your guest list. Prospective invitees include immediate and extended family and friends, along with their dogs, and dog playmates from your neighborhood or play group. Pet owners should stay for the party, so that potentially adds two humans for every dog. It helps to know that the dogs get along well with each other and to avoid including dogs with no manners or that are mean or aggressive.

Decide where you want to have your party, whether it will be inside or out of doors. The disadvantage to an outdoor party is, of course, that it is weather dependent, but it offers the advantage of a larger, open space. In a public setting, Sanford Farm and Tuppancy Links are two Nantucket Conservation Foundation properties that already have gained considerable popularity as places for pet people to gather.

A beach picnic, away from lifeguarded areas, would offer a unique Nantucket experience for those dogs with summer birthdays. Of course, your own backyard is a great spot for a casual gettogether or barbecue. If you are lucky enough to have a large basement, or uncluttered garage, these spaces might work well for an indoor function.

Invitations can be as simple as a phone call or e-mail for a casual gathering. Or buy pet-partyspecific invites or use your computer software to create a unique look to your own creations. You might want to have a theme party, with your pet guests arriving in costume or suggest a look-alike contest with the owners and offer prizes.

On party day, be prepared with scoopers and poop bags for the inevitable clean up needs. Have big bowls with plenty of water located in several spots. Remove breakables, potted plants or other treasured items from the immediate area. Keep all food and candy up high and out of temptation's way. Have guests place their personal items, such as coats or purses in a space that can be closed off.

You will want to have some activities planned for your canine guests. If you have an inside party, the space is more restricted, but you can still have contests for the best sit-stay, roll-over or other trick. See which dog will stay the most reliably, then come the quickest when called to be rewarded with a treat.

Outside, you have a lot more room to move. Have enough balls and toys so that each dog at the party has one of each. You can play games of fetch. Or fill a wading pool with water, then throw in biscuits and whoever gets them out the fastest wins. Or, make up a game of hide and seek.

Prepare a party favor bag for each dog filled with toys or treats. Also offer some compelling toys, such as filled Kongs or Everlasting Treat Balls, so that your canine guests have fun distractions to occupy themselves and not get on each other's nerves.

Finally, remember to take pictures! Just as we do for our human special events, you can offer instant cameras for the guests to shoot their own photos.

Even though your pet might not know what all the fuss is about, you will have created a wonderful memory of your pet's birthday. If this seems like too, too much, you can still plan extra activities to celebrate your pet's birthday: take a walk, play a game, spend time brushing or grooming your pet or take him to a special place he enjoys. Don't know your pet's birthday? Make one up and celebrate on that day every year!

*According to a survey by the American Animal Hospital Association.

Jan Jaeger is owner of Geronimo's, Ltd., Nantucket's pet supply and gift shop, and is a member of DWAA and CWA (Dog and Cat Writer's Associations of America). Her pets at home are Junior, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever and three cats. At the shop are the cats, Messrs. Fish and Chips, Flower bunny, Millie guinea pig and three budgies. Send e-mail to jan@geronimos.com.

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