I've reached the age where my friends get married, have children, buy houses with privet hedges, go shopping on Saturdays, make playdates for the kids, and have started saving up for confirmation and for the time when the kids move out. I'm the type who still spends most of my time at work, traveling to exotic places, and having a hangover on Sundays.
Yet it happened that a few years ago I was sitting alone at home on a gray and boring Sunday with a bowl of cheese pops in my lap, and actually came to imagine how that adult life could in a way be completely okay. At least the idea of being something for someone – other than yourself. And what do you do then, when you know very well that you are not ready to play father, mother and children? For me, the answer to the rootless existence became the idea of getting a dog.
Thoughts turned into action, and that's how it happened that we recently had a 2-year anniversary - Alf and I. Two fantastic years with so many good experiences, play, fun and laughter. Imagine that such a small dog can create so much joy, and enrich life so much. That's exactly what's worth celebrating. But then the question arose: can you celebrate a dog's birthday? That is, without being perceived (even more) as her crazy dog lady?
I pondered it for a few days until I decided to give a damn about what other people think. I AM a bit of a crazy dog lady, so why not? Of course, my Alf should have a birthday that was at least as nice as the kind of birthdays I will have for my (maybe) future children in the future.
Once the decision was made, I started calling friends and family to invite them. Luckily, it turned out, as many times before, that I have family and friends who are at least as crazy as I am. So everyone of course backed up and said "yes please" to the invitation to Alf's birthday.
And it was a really good birthday for him: The cabin was decorated with flags and balloons, there were homemade buns, hot chocolate, birthday cake for the guests, and a cake for Alf. All the guests brought nice gifts – toys, treats and money. Alf had wanted money, because he was saving up for a little brother.
The whole day was of course documented – and eagerly shared on social media by all the guests. To be honest: most people still think it was quite funny to be at a birthday party with a dog who wants to wear a hat, sits at the table and eats layer cake, wants to open his own presents, and is a master at balloon dancing. Because that's how Alf is, and that's why I knew that a birthday would be a bit of a thing for him.
And with that success behind us, I think we can say that birthdays have become a permanent tradition in our little home. And Alf is already looking forward to next year!
Can you celebrate your dog's birthday?
I've reached the age where my friends get married, have children, buy houses with privet hedges, go shopping on Saturdays, make playdates for the kids, and have started saving up for confirmation and for the time when the kids move out. I'm the type who still spends most of my time at work, traveling to exotic places, and having a hangover on Sundays.
Yet it happened that a few years ago I was sitting alone at home on a gray and boring Sunday with a bowl of cheese pops in my lap, and actually came to imagine how that adult life could in a way be completely okay. At least the idea of being something for someone – other than yourself. And what do you do then, when you know very well that you are not ready to play father, mother and children? For me, the answer to the rootless existence became the idea of getting a dog.
Thoughts turned into action, and that's how it happened that we recently had a 2-year anniversary - Alf and I. Two fantastic years with so many good experiences, play, fun and laughter. Imagine that such a small dog can create so much joy, and enrich life so much. That's exactly what's worth celebrating. But then the question arose: can you celebrate a dog's birthday? That is, without being perceived (even more) as her crazy dog lady?
I pondered it for a few days until I decided to give a damn about what other people think. I AM a bit of a crazy dog lady, so why not? Of course, my Alf should have a birthday that was at least as nice as the kind of birthdays I will have for my (maybe) future children in the future.
Once the decision was made, I started calling friends and family to invite them. Luckily, it turned out, as many times before, that I have family and friends who are at least as crazy as I am. So everyone of course backed up and said "yes please" to the invitation to Alf's birthday.
And it was a really good birthday for him: The cabin was decorated with flags and balloons, there were homemade buns, hot chocolate, birthday cake for the guests, and a cake for Alf. All the guests brought nice gifts – toys, treats and money. Alf had wanted money, because he was saving up for a little brother.
The whole day was of course documented – and eagerly shared on social media by all the guests. To be honest: most people still think it was quite funny to be at a birthday party with a dog who wants to wear a hat, sits at the table and eats layer cake, wants to open his own presents, and is a master at balloon dancing. Because that's how Alf is, and that's why I knew that a birthday would be a bit of a thing for him.
And with that success behind us, I think we can say that birthdays have become a permanent tradition in our little home. And Alf is already looking forward to next year!