Anthropomorphize This

Why our pets' birthdays are important

Next week is Bron Yr Aur Loeffler’s birthday. If you would like to know more about Bronny, I wrote extensively about him here. Suffice it to say, our little puppers owns our hearts, and there is little we would not do for him. On June 10th (also Judy Garland’s birthday, a fact I cannot forget even if I wanted to), our furry buddy will be fawned over all day, given doggie-friendly ice cream, and probably a new baby — even though he’s received 2 of them in the last month or so. Will we be as effusive over my son’s birthday a month later? I mean, probably?

When I was in college, I was invited to my friend Elly’s parent’s house for brunch. Besides meeting her kind parents and watching Elly wrestle her sister on the kitchen floor over ice cream, I was also introduced to the family cat: a handsome black-and-white creature named Poncherello. Mostly referred to as “Ponch” — yes, after Erik Estrada’s cop character from CHiPs — his full name was employed only when trying to fetch him home. The neighborhood was familiar with the call, “Poncher-EL-lo! Here, kitty kitty!” This beloved cat was a Leap Year Baby, with a birthday date of February 29th. Every four years, Elly’s family would throw a Black & White Bash for Ponch’s birthday, with everyone dressing in his color scheme to fête the feline. It is to my great regret that I never attended one of these parties.

My friend Amanda wrote me about the co-party that her family and another family throw for their pups: Eddie and Susie. Eddie always wears a bow tie, but he did not enjoy the year of the party hats (Susie is a golden retriever, so you KNOW she did.) They get dog-friendly cake and ice cream, lots of toys and treats, and so much love and attention. Amanda said that one year her son, Will, even serenaded the birthday doggos on his trombone. She also said there is often even a cake for the humans!

My fellow teacher-on-summer-break Krystine shared that her family has a birthday party for their guinea pig, Roby, every year. They stuff a bell pepper with romaine and stick a candle in it. She says that this year will be especially exciting because, since guinea pigs age 13 years for every one of humans, Roby will officially be the oldest in the family (passing up her husband)!

I hear and/or read much grousing about this kind of humanizing treatment for pets: rolling eyes and looks of disdain over talk of “fur babies” and dog-and-cat “parents.” I will admit to a rant or two when I was the mother of newborns and toddlers and reading of fur-mommies being celebrated on Mother’s Day. But eventually I got over myself. After all, did it take anything away from me? No.

What harm is there in being silly and loving over our pets? After all, they bring us so much unconditional love (well, maybe not cats, because CATS have CONDITIONS) that they definitely deserve parties. Also, the world deserves photos of your dog with a party hat, or your cat enjoying a tuna cake. We all need joy-with-no-strings-attached right now, and that’s what pets represent.

Please feel free to share your Furry Fiestas in the comments, whether in photo or story form. Silliness is good for the soul.

Thanks for reading.

Love, Susie