Dog Celebrations: Is pet birthday parties ever morally acceptable? (As asked by Sophia Money-Coutts)
In the United Kingdom, the tradition of celebrating pets' birthdays is on the rise, driven by the pet care industry and the influence of social media. This trend, while sometimes met with raised eyebrows, is a testament to the strong emotional bonds between pet owners and their furry companions.
Freelance features writer and author, Sophia Money-Coutts, understands this sentiment, having celebrated her Parson terrier, Dennis's first birthday with a new elephant toy and a huge marrow bone. This warm gesture, she suggests, is a reflection of the love and appreciation pet owners have for their animals.
The question of whether our growing love for pets is contributing to a decline in human birthrates has been a topic of discussion. A recent headline in The Times asked, "Dogs versus babies: is our love of canines causing falling birthrate?" However, Money-Coutts argues that the issue is more complex than that, suggesting that the decision to have children is influenced by a variety of factors.
As for pet birthday celebrations, Money-Coutts is not against the idea, but thinks it's a tiny bit over-the-top. She defends the right of pet owners to throw a party for their pets, but advises against using party hats, which might be a bit too human-like for our four-legged friends.
The celebrations often take the form of elaborate parties, with dog-themed decorations, vegan birthday cakes, and even drone shows. These extravagant affairs, however, are more common among those with disposable income. More common practices include offering personalized treats, taking pets on fun outings, and sharing photos and updates on social media platforms to mark the occasion.
It's not just the rich and famous who are joining in on the fun. Nearly two thirds of British pet owners celebrate their pets' birthdays, with Sir Lewis Hamilton once throwing a party for his bulldog, Roscoe, complete with a dog-friendly vegan cake.
Money-Coutts, who has six books to her name and has written for The Standard, The Sunday Telegraph, The Times, and Frontispiece, believes that sneering and laughing at dog owners who want to throw a party for their pets is not helpful. Instead, she encourages us to appreciate the emotional bonds between pet owners and their pets, and to celebrate the love and joy that these animals bring into our lives.
[1] Source: The Guardian, "How social media is fuelling the rise of pet parties", 2021. [3] Source: The Independent, "The rise of pet birthdays: why we're celebrating our pets with cakes, parties and presents", 2019.
Home-and-garden magazines may feature articles about elaborate pet birthday parties, complete with dog-themed decorations and vegan birthday cakes, as the tradition of celebrating pets' birthdays continues to rise in the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, pet lifestyle blogs might highlight less extravagant ways to celebrate pets' birthdays, such as offering personalized treats, taking pets on fun outings, and sharing photos and updates on social media platforms.
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