I can’t believe the day has finally come- it’s every dog’s birthday in May and we had their “Beach Pawty” today (May 24)! Rue, my boyfriend’s yorkie, turned 13 on May 3rd, and Wyatt and Tori the mini schnauzers turned 1 on May 23rd, so a birthday party was mandatory. Since it was just the family in attendance, Dylan and I brought Rue over just after we woke up and got ready.

Mom had been accumulating the birthday treats and decor over the past few months, and it was so gratifying to finally open everything and put the pups’ birthday flavored treats in their party cups.

They adorned their birthday outfits- Tori and Rue got breathable and stretchy sundresses in the same style, and Beefy got a Hawaiian button up that I thrifted at Goodwill back in the winter months. Beef also wore a conch shell necklace from 5 Below. I bought it on a day trip when the pups were probably less than 3 months old, and while I got the smallest size I was sure it might not ever fit. Well, it fits perfectly now :’).

The warm indoor greetings only lasted as long as the treats were out, and then they were off zooming in the yard with their birthday presents.

I made some salt dough to roll out into ornaments as a little keepsake for us humans. It is a very easy recipe of 1 cup four, 1 cup salt, and 1/2 cup of water. Wrangle your pup’s paw into the dough, I used a blunt mechanical pencil to create little loops for string, and bake at 200 Fahrenheit for 3 hours or until hard. I am not at all surprised that Tori’s paw left a big dirt smudge, but it adds to the charm. I also used Himalayan salt as that is what we had the most of, and it gave the dough a pink tint, and I just used the smallest pan I could find. It is well loved.

Rue was the only dog that actually sat still at the beachy backdrop we set up, everyone else couldn’t get it together. I really wanted a group photo but it was impossible!

I tried to get at least one photo that had two dogs in it, I don’t think I was able to get all three in a pic outside even if one was in the background, the birthday zoomies!

Dylan and I got some photos in with the little Dollar Tree backdrop. How cute! After that, my mom gave Dylan a haircut and we stopped at Sonic for drinks. When we got back, the paw print ornaments were still underdone, so I tasked my brother with taking them out after another hour had passed and Dylan and I took Rue back to her home. That was a lot of excitement for an ole lady.

Ever since I have returned to my laptop, I have been working away at a little project that I had been wanting to do since April- my very own keepsake postcards! I designed these using the same theme as my monthly wallpaper. Everything fun, bright, and beach themed for their birthday was included with a little title overlay “Sun, Splash, and Birthday Bash!”

I am using Canva to print these, and since it is my first time I am hoping everything comes out how I hope it will. They will be going to friends and family, but I will most likely have some leftover to have fun with! I will report back with my review of the quality once I receive my order.

Even though birthday parties for dogs are mostly for the enjoyment of their owners, I definitely think that they knew we were celebrating them. Rue, usually timid, had her tail wagging throughout the few hours we were there, and with a few new toys Wyatt would have had a party anyway. He and Tori love the little pig squeaky toys.

Tori and Wyatt came home on July 13, so I will most likely make another post then, not accompanied by a party, but just to reflect on how much they have both grown. If you want to catch up on Tori’s health journey or some small puppy adventures, you can just click the links!

What pet keepsakes do you have? Let me know and I will see you all soon!