How We Celebrate Our Dog's Birthday

Every year when November 16th roles around, my husband and I go out of our way to make our dog's birthday special. We do not do this out of obligation, or believing our dachshund would know the difference if we skipped one. We recognize his birthday annually by making it special for him because we love and want to show him how special he is to us.

No, our dachshund, Fritz, does not get cake with candles or wear a birthday hat. He does not get special birthday dog attire. He would not wear hat or attire even if we tried to put it on him. We fight Fritz every winter with his dog-sweater before taking him outside. Our Fritz prefers to be the rugged macho manly man dachshund and wear only his collar no matter what the weather is outside including snow or ice.

Instead we buy him his favorite toy, a nylabone with a blue middle that comes with a beef flavor in the "medium" size. Fritz, even though a dachshund of 15 pounds, goes through the smaller size nylabone made for small dogs in one day; the "medium" sized one lasts a year. We further treat Fritz with his favorite Caesar's "sirloin tips and eggs" or his second favorite "smoked bacon and eggs" wet dog food by giving him half a portion instead of one-third.

As we hand him his favorite toy, usually right after lunch, we say, "Happy Birthday, Fritz!". Then comment positively as our dachshund does his happy dance (which looks like a dachshund trying to do a jig while moving his backside in a circle with his tail up and wagging) with his new nylabone in his mouth. He loves the attention and receiving the new nylabone. We make certain to play with him and the new toy, while (when he is not looking) we take away the old nylabone, that is usually raggedy and in need of replacing. On his first birthday we made the mistake of exchanging the bones in front of Fritz and that went over like a led balloon. Fritz spent hours looking for the old one, refusing to play with the new one until we gave back the old nylabone. We had a difficult time that year getting the old nylabone from him. Fritz kept guarding it; even slept with the old nylabone to make sure we did not take it away. His second birthday we tried the method of making certain Fritz was not looking before taking the old nylabone, and that was successful. Fritz did not miss it and his birthday went more pleasantly.

After Fritz has eaten his daily serving of dry dog food (after we have had our dinner), we give Fritz his favorite half portion of Caesar's wet dog food and wish him another "Happy Birthday, Fritz!". We found this the best method. Prevents him from refusing to eat the dry food and becoming hungry in the middle of the night. Trust me, a hungry dachshund in the middle of the night is not a very pretty or handsome sight. Fritz makes certain to wake up the entire house until we cooperate by giving him something to eat.

Of course, on Fritz's birthday we do not prompt him to go to bed at 9 p.m.(When my husband goes to bed, Fritz usually goes to his bed). Instead my husband stays up and we wait for him to tell us when he wishes his birthday to end by allowing him to go to bed when he desires. This makes the special treatment last longer, something Fritz does not mind. It is fun catching Fritz in his bed, lying on his back and snoring his little boy doggy snore with his small blanket covering only his middle section.

Hope this birthday tradition is of help or gives inspiration. Happy Birthdays to all!