A Big Boy Now

on January 15, 2012

Good morning! I hope your weekend is going well. Weâ€™re having a nice Sunday.

Actually, today is an extra-special Sunday because today is Jamesâ€™s sixth birthday. Such a big boy now!

Old, grey, and wise. Well, wiser.

James when he was 1 (when we adopted him from the shelter in Pittsburgh)â€¦

Versus James today. His little muzzle has gotten so white! I predict it will be completely white by his 8th birthday.

We donâ€™t know Jamesâ€™s real birthday because he was a runaway that was picked up by animal control, but the shelter estimated that he was a â€˜youngâ€™ 1. We adopted him at the end of January and decided that we mustâ€™ve just missed his birthday. So â€“ January 15 it is! We actually know Maggieâ€™s birthday because her owners surrendered her to a rescue group with her purebred papers â€“ hers is August 15.

James â€“ you were the best $75 we ever spent!

Time to eat up:

You know what really makes scrambled eggs special? Smear mustard on the toast. Yum. Instant flavor.

Do you celebrate your petsâ€™ birthdays? Donâ€™t be embarrassedâ€¦ My dogs get special breakfasts on their birthdays (kibble, eggs, and yogurt).

{ 70 comments }

Kristina January 15, 2012, 11:32 am
We don’t celebrate their birthdays (we’re not exactly sure how old they are…), but we adopted them 3 years ago for MY birthday. Best present ever!
Ali January 15, 2012, 11:43 am
Rescued pets are the best! We get our dog a cake from the dog bakery on his birthday 🙂
Emily @ The Swallow Flies January 15, 2012, 11:44 am
I adopted Chloe for my birthday (and totally made up her birthday, too). Charlie was given to me by a student who had bottle-fed him from day one, so I know his exact birthday. They definitely get spoiled with some extra Fancy Feast and even more “crazy cat lady” lovin’ than usual on their special days!
- Caitlin January 16, 2012, 10:47 am
  bawhahhaaa
Katie January 15, 2012, 11:48 am
Oh how funny! It’s our dog, Kermit’s birthday today! He is 1. We adopted him in the spring. My boys are so excited to celebrate his birthday. We bought him a new bed, since he ate his bed when he was a puppy. We hope he’s ready to sleep on something more comfortable that a thick mat. We also got him some new toys and are planning a special treat for later. He’s a part of the family so we definitely have to celebrate!
Lindsay @ Running the Windy City January 15, 2012, 12:03 pm
My boyfriend and I got a 3 month old kitten last June and I have to say we’ve fallen into the trap of “celebrating” every month. Its usually nothing too special, some wet food or a few extra treats, but I can’t believe how quickly we’ve become a crazy pet family 🙂
Laura January 15, 2012, 12:09 pm
We celebrate our pups’ birthday’s on the day that we adopted them. No idea about ages though.
Joy January 15, 2012, 12:11 pm
This is where I sound insane but we have a birthday party for dobby. Complete with friends (his) gifts a venue (sorry I don’t want 10 dogs in my house) and pictures! The poodle is my baby 🙂
Caley January 15, 2012, 12:12 pm
Glad to know I’m not the only one! My kitties always get a birthday cake made of fancy feast or canned tuna, usually sprinkled with treats and a little cat nip. Crazy cat lady & proud of it!
Lauren @ Sweet and Twisted January 15, 2012, 12:13 pm
We usually get our kitties a toy (or something they’ve been needing) for their birthday!
Carly January 15, 2012, 12:20 pm
We definitely celebrate the dogs’ birthdays. I made my “son” a cake this year and they LOVED it!!!
Christine @ BookishlyB January 15, 2012, 12:23 pm
Yup, my Golden’s 7th birthday is Tuesday. She’s getting a new collar and leash, and maybe a “pupcake” from a local bakery. Obviously we don’t have kids.
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen January 15, 2012, 12:29 pm
This past July was the first time we actually “celebrated” our dog’s bday. I baked her a dog friendly cake and video taped her eating it. I was totally “that” dog mom.
Happy bday to James!
Kerry January 15, 2012, 12:30 pm
Yep! Our cats got a party hat and a tuna cake each for their first birthday last year! They seemed to enjoy it!
Sheilah January 15, 2012, 12:33 pm
I hope we aren’t the most insane pet parents out there – we celebrate our cat’s birthday (also made up with guidance from the vet) and the anniversary of her adoption. Generally we have a little party with friends (ours – her only semi-cat friend lives far away) and bake a cake (for us) and give her treats and extra lovin’. All I have to say in our crazy pet parent defense is that everything else we celebrate is in about a three-month block – our anniversary is in December, then there’s Christmas, then my fiancÃ©’s birthday on January 26, then there’s Valentine’s Day, and then my birthday is on March 17. Then we’re done for the year, so it’s nice to have the cat’s birthday (May 23) and adopt-iversary (November 3) to liven up the rest of the year.
- Amy January 15, 2012, 12:49 pm
  That’s awesome.
  - Caitlin January 16, 2012, 10:49 am
    Agree!
- Kelly January 17, 2012, 3:52 pm
  This is darling. Just another example of pets bringing people together! Quite literally in your case. 🙂
Laura January 15, 2012, 12:37 pm
We always celebrate our Beagle’s birthday. She gets a new toy and a special dinner. (She also gets her own stocking at Christmas, which usually has a toy or treats.)
Alex @ Raw Recovery January 15, 2012, 12:37 pm
James is such a handsome dog and looks like such a sweetie. I adopted my dog from a shelter last February and we were told he was 2 1/2. He was an owner surrender and he really is kind of the love of my life now. His name is Buddha and since I don’t know his real birthday, I celebrate it on the Buddha’s birthday. He has a little underbite that is just addictive 🙂 Happy Birthday to James!
Amy January 15, 2012, 12:48 pm
Yep! My two kitties have birthdays in September and February. They are both 7 this year and my gray one is starting to get a white patch over one eye! We let them have a special treat on their birthdays and we get them a new toy or two. I think it’s fun. 🙂
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats January 15, 2012, 12:49 pm
I only have a goldfish, and of course I celebrate his birthday! He’ll be 17 months old tomorrow!!! Haha although I don’t really do anything for him.
- Caitlin January 16, 2012, 10:50 am
  hahahaha
Brita January 15, 2012, 12:51 pm
My dog Abby gets a special breakfast on her birthday too! A huge scoop of cottage cheese on top of the kibbles 🙂
Tracy January 15, 2012, 12:52 pm
Yes, and I can clearly recall a birthday party for a fish named Frank. My pets also have middle names. All pets need a middle name.
Amanda January 15, 2012, 12:52 pm
Happy Birthday to James! I like to bake my dog a cake or something special on her birthday. I spoil her year-round, but it’s fun to do something a little extra.

My puggle’s muzzle is also almost entirely white now (it was black as a puppy). She’s 4 now, but it started happening right around the time she turned one. Maybe it’s a pug/beagle thing? Not sure, but she’s still just as adorable. 🙂
Jamie @ Don't Forget the Cinnamon January 15, 2012, 12:56 pm
We actually forgot about my dog’s birthday this year!! It is right before Christmas so it got lost in all the craziness of the holiday season.
Then, we tried to make up for it by giving her this GIANT candy cane bone for Christmas. But, it made her really really sick! Last time we ever give her a bone…
Jennifer January 15, 2012, 12:56 pm
Happy Birthday James! Yes, we celebrate our dog’s birthday. We had to make hers up too. The vet said said she was between 10-12 weeks old when we found her (she was abandoned in a car!), so we counted back 11 weeks and made that her special day. She will be 11 on Feb 20th and my kids (ages 3 and 6) LOVE celebrating her birthday. We sing, they blow out the candles and eat cake, and the dog gets doggie ice cream. Fun for everyone!
- Caitlin January 16, 2012, 10:50 am
  Awww this is cute. I love that everyone gets involved.
Khushboo January 15, 2012, 1:08 pm
No pets in my home but I am pretty sure I would celebrate!
Sophie @ threetimesf January 15, 2012, 1:09 pm
We do indeed, presents, special food, the works!

I once worked in a pub where a lady even booked out the garden to throw her dog a birthday party!
Army Amy* January 15, 2012, 1:18 pm
James was such a cute pup! My doggie is 5, and he’s going gray, too. It makes me a little sad! I want him to stay little for forever!*
Mary @ Rabbitsand Runs January 15, 2012, 1:22 pm
Happy Birthday James!

We celebrate our rabbits’ birthdays with extra carrots. We had to guesstimate when one’s birthday is. The other was born at the rescue, so we know the exact date.
Lee January 15, 2012, 1:30 pm
Happy Birthday James!

Of course we celebrate our dog’s birthday. He is a member of our family. We usually give him a turkey sandwich because turkey and bread are his two favorite foods.
Devon January 15, 2012, 1:32 pm
Happy Birthday James!! I celebrate my doggie birthday. She gets a special doggie cupcake or cookie and then she gets boiled chicken, brown rice and peas and carrots for dinner! and lots of cuddles!
Melissa January 15, 2012, 1:32 pm
Happy Birthday James!

We *absolutely* celebrate our dogs birthdays 🙂 We don’t know the exact dates so we made them up based on the age predicted by the shelter and when we adopted them.

But yeah, we sing them happy birthday, they get speacial doggie ice cream and the birthday pup gets to sleep in bed with mom and dad (they usually sleep in their crates) for extra snuggle time.
Jordan January 15, 2012, 1:34 pm
That’s so wonderful that you adopted him! Yes, of course we celebrate our pet’s birthdays – any excuse to have some cake and balloons!
Emily @LivingLongfellow January 15, 2012, 1:57 pm
What a pretty boy! We began looking at dogs yesterday. I’m dying to get a german shephard, or at least a medium to large dog. So glad to hear when people rescue their dogs, not buy them from breeders 🙂
- Debbie January 15, 2012, 4:37 pm
  But better to buy from a reputable breeder than a pet shop!
  - Caitlin January 16, 2012, 10:51 am
    Or try a breed-specific rescue group!
Lindsey January 15, 2012, 2:13 pm
Of course I do! Our cat and my husband actually share a birthday 🙂 But we always make sure she gets a little gift that day as well.
Brooke @ sweats & sweets January 15, 2012, 2:14 pm
Always celebrated it! My dad has our dogs and he doesn’t do anything special, but we used to have mini dog cakes for each one. Bonnie the dachshund is going to be 11 years old this year and Onyx the border collie is going to be 5.
stephs January 15, 2012, 2:17 pm
awwww james is so adorable! that is so nice of you and the hus to do that and $75 is so worth the love and companionship you get!
Rachel January 15, 2012, 2:18 pm
We totally celebrate our doggies’ birthdays!! I usually buy them a dog ice cream cup 🙂
Jennifer January 15, 2012, 2:18 pm
Happy Birthday James! You get more handsome every year! 🙂

My dog is going to be 13 in March.
Amber K January 15, 2012, 2:23 pm
I can still remember my childhood dog’s birthday (August 14th!) And it usually occurs to me even now when it’s August that it’s coming up. But as a kid we never actually did anything to celebrate.
erica January 15, 2012, 2:30 pm
i celebrate my dog’s bday. well…he’s only had 1 so far, but we took him to the dog park and invited all his furry friends to also come along and play at the park. i think this year he’ll just get a new toy and some treats.
Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs January 15, 2012, 3:04 pm
Happy Birthday James!
The white fur makes you look more distinguished 🙂
Lisa (bakebikeblog) January 15, 2012, 3:44 pm
HappY birthday James!

and I love MUSTARD!!
Kristin @ Wounded Fawn January 15, 2012, 4:21 pm
Happy Birthday James! and YUM! I used to eat mustard on my eggs all the time as a child! I’ll have to bring it back!
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife January 15, 2012, 4:28 pm
Happy birthday to your dog!!

I love mustard—gotta try that with eggs!
CJ @ http://healthy-happy-whole.com/ January 15, 2012, 5:02 pm
awe happy birthday James!!!
i have never tried mustard with my eggs!!! we eat them with ketchup in my family, which some people find odd, but never mustard! ill have to try that 🙂 enjoy the birthday festivities!!!
Emily January 15, 2012, 5:03 pm
I made a dog friendly cake for Teek’s bday last year. And this year since we have two dogs, there will definitely be a dog party for two on BOTH of their birthdays!
Sarah January 15, 2012, 5:43 pm
i have 3! I rescued all so we have approximate birthdays BUT they are all on the calendar and get extra special treatment and presents 🙂 we adopted My little guy milo when he was 2.. his muzzle was jet black and he turned 8 last month and its almost ALL white!

James was a very strapping one year old 😉
Kate January 15, 2012, 6:54 pm
I celebrate my bird’s birthday! I bought him from a pet store so they have no idea how old he is, but we celebrate the day we bought him. He’s going to be 3 this year 🙂
Cecily January 15, 2012, 6:59 pm
Of course I celebrate my dog’s birthday! Every year, my now 11-year-old dachshund gets a wrapped bag of special treats. We make sure she can smell them so that she’ll paw at the bag until the wrapping paper is gone. Such a fun tradition. 🙂
Laurie January 15, 2012, 7:42 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMES!!! Yes, I celebrate my doxies birthday too! They get special treats and special dinners for their birthdays. We’re like you, we got our second dog from a rescue and they didn’t have his papers, all the previous owner said was that he was two years old and born sometime in August. Oh well, we just pick a date for him too!
dep January 15, 2012, 7:42 pm
Yes, i celebrate pet birthdays – although one cat has a memorable birthday date so that’s the day all pet birthday’s are celebrated by proxy. I mean no matter who gets the present, they all end up playing with it. They all get a nice dinner too, last year it was steak.
- Caitlin January 16, 2012, 10:52 am
  Steak dinner?! Lucky pups.
Chetney January 15, 2012, 8:30 pm
I do celebrate! I have two rabbits, and a Chihuahua terrier mix. Einstein’s (angora white rabbit) birthday is Valentines Day. My holland lop, Violet’s, birthday is the fourth of July, and my dogs birthday is June 30th! Happy Birthday James!
Laura January 15, 2012, 8:58 pm
Aw, happy birthday to James!

I celebrate my dog’s birthday, which I guessed since he was left outside in a box at a shelter when he was a puppy. He has a birthday hat that he has to wear for birthday pictures, and I try to make the day special with a birthday cookie and long trip to the dog park.

In addition to his birthday, I celebrate his adoption date.
Angela January 15, 2012, 10:14 pm
We just realized we’re going to be away this year for Sketchie’s birthday and we feel so guilty! So yes, we celebrate each year with a couple toys and extra food. 🙂 I guess we will have to make it up to him this time!
tracey January 16, 2012, 12:01 am
I mix the mustard right in when I am scrambling the eggs – so yummy!
Jeanelle @ Glocal Girl January 16, 2012, 2:47 am
My parents used to be such non-dog people. But then last year my brother gave my dad a lab/pitbull mix for Fathers Day and then adore her. She gets SO much attention and her birthday parties are bigger than mine. It’s so cute.
Allison January 16, 2012, 1:41 pm
Growing up, we always used to make our puppy a vanilla cake for her bday! Now that my fiance and I have a pup, I def can foresee spoiling him on his bday- he’s already spoiled on a daily basis 😛
Melissa January 16, 2012, 2:42 pm
Our Layla just celebrated her 6th birthday too. We usually buy her some doggie ice cream (Frosty Paws) at the grocery store and she loves it. 🙂
This year she got a new bed and a cute pink puffy jacket with fur. My kids totally get into it. 🙂
Sara January 17, 2012, 11:35 am
Our dogs always get a special treat from Three Dog Bakery for this birthday and I’ve been known to make them cookies for holidays and birthdays too (dog cookies of course.) They always get toys too. We threw our first dog together (Buffy, our Labradoodle) a birthday party when she turned one. She was my first dog and our first together as a couple. When we adopted our Poodle, his first birthday with us (his fourth) we threw him a mini party with a dog cake too. Didn’t want him to be left out. Both dogs always get a grooming before their birthdays too. Our Labradoodle turns 3 at the end of the month and our Poodle that we adopted two years ago (Jasper) turned five earlier this month. I’ve noticed he is starting to gray more too (he is solid black.) Lots of photos of them both on my blog. We also celebrate our cats’ birthdays. They get a bag of treats or something. We love our furry animals 🙂 When our fish was alive, I celebrated his “adoption” day too. We got him from the county fair in August and didn’t know how old he was but figured he was a year old. We had him 2 1/2 years. He was about 3 1/2 when he died. Worst. experience. ever. No more fish! I obviously have attachment issues …
Kelly January 17, 2012, 3:48 pm
Is it too late to comment on this? I am SO glad you treat your dogs to a “special” day for their birthdays. In the last 4 years, I’ve started doing the same for my little dog. You know what? I think I look forward to it more than he does! We have some of the best days on his birthday. Here’s our itinerary:

– small, local pet store for treats, and anything else we can find;
– a trip to the beach, for a walk, a roll in the sand (I refrain!) and some crab chasing;
– a trip to Wendy’s for a “frosty and fry” – it’s the one time of year I go through a drive-thru – ick, but it’s tradition and he loves his fries dunked in the frosty!

Sounds like fun, no?!
Lexi @ Cura Personalis Foodie January 20, 2012, 11:45 pm
Haha for a second, I thought that grapefruit was smoked salmon!
Alett January 22, 2012, 9:46 am
Do we celebrate our dogs’ birthdays? Yesiree!

We are blessed with Toffee, the chiheagle and Riley the Jack Russell terrior. Riley was sort of rescued from his “breeder” when he was returned at 2 so we know his birthday is February 21st. Toffee was a true rescue when I got her. She had been operated on by Ohio State Vet School when she was brought in after being hit by a car. No one claimed her so I adopted her. We decided her birthday would be February 14th (a week before Riley’s). When Hugh and I were first dating – he made it a point to order and send a birthday cake to Toffee at my work on Valentine’s day 🙂

On Riley’s birthday we take a special trip to a local dog goodie bakery (Polka dog bakery) and allow him to choose a cake and a toy 🙂

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