'It's my party and I'll bark if I want to'

Dog birthday parties are the latest trend in pet ownership. It was recently reported that more than 70,000 pets in the United States have had a birthday party thrown for them by their owners. This pet party trend has taken off in other countries as well, including China, Japan and England.

The American Veterinarian Medical Association reports that there are 73 million dogs owned in the U.S. and 74 percent of dog owners consider their pet as a child and/or family member.

The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association reports that "42 percent of dogs now sleep in the same bed as their owners, up from 34 percent in 1998." With the pet-care industry growing at a rate of 6 percent per year, this trend of dog birthday parties is expected to grow.

Small business owner and entrepreneur Lisa Pallardy, president of BarkTalk, has created a line of "pet greeting with panache" geared toward sophisticated pet owners. She said, "Dogs are our new babies. Many people are waiting until later in their professional career to marry and have children, so the puppy has taken the place of the child in the family. Plus, single people and elderly people thrive on the companionship a dog provides, and studies have shown a health benefit to pet ownership."

According to an article in Business Week, Americans now spend $14 billion a year on their pets, more than the gross domestic product of all but 64 countries in the world.

Bob Vetere, president of the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, said, "People are no longer satisfied to reward their pet in pet terms. They want to reward their pet in human terms."

"There's no doubt our pets have become important members of the family unit," said Pallardy. "Just look at the recent news regarding the increased interest in doggy day-care centers and the sad stories of pet custody battles among couples who are divorcing.

"A dog birthday party or puppy shower is a natural extension of the idea that dogs are the new family child. Family and friends are given the opportunity to come meet the furry new arrival and celebrate with games and 'kibble.' It's a fun and unique way to celebrate your pet and enjoy an afternoon or evening of camaraderie with your dog-loving friends."

There doesn't seem to be anything a pet owner won't do for his beloved dog, and the phrase "a dog's life" seems to have taken on a whole new meaning.