A Dog Birthday Party Fit for a Chow
I’m coming to the realization that I’m one of those crazy dog people.
If you follow me on Instagram, then you’ve probably been well aware of this for some time now.
I like to dress my dog up in costumes, show pictures of him to random people in the grocery store, and have full-fledged conversations with him as if he has some insightful opinion on whether my new Puma Rose Gold Wedge Sneakers and my black leather leggings look a little too edgy together.
My full awareness of the situation was only brought to light — to me that is — after I decided to do something usually reserved for parents of show dogs and Hollywood heiresses…
…I threw Mr. Chow a birthday party.
This wasn’t a little family get together where the BF and I bought Chowzy a dog-friendly cupcake and spent a nice evening together watching Santa Paws.
No, this was a legit birthday blowout with all of his best doggie pals at Zoom Room Hollywood.
To be fair, doggie b-days aren’t that uncommon out here. They’re actually a surprisingly integral part of the L.A. social scene.
Still, my friends were a little suspect about the idea.
However, once I mentioned dessert and drinks would be provided, the guest list quickly filled up.
But what exactly do you serve at a doggie birthday party you ask? I’ll start with the human treats…
My favorite creation for the event was a skinny version of the classic cocktail, the Moscow Mule, which I dubbed “The Moscow Mutt.”
Instead of using actual ginger beer in this (which has no alcohol and 38 grams of sugar) I used Zevia‘s delicious Stevia-sweetened Ginger Ale mixed with vodka and lime juice to make the drink.
No one was the wiser, and I saved everyone about 12 grams of sugar per drink.
A Skinny Moscow Mule aka The Moscow Mutt
Ingredients:
3 oz. Zevia Ginger Ale
2 oz. Vodka
1 oz. Lime Juice
Ice
Sugar/Stevia (optional)
Directions:
Mix vodka and lime juice together and pour over ice. Top off with the ginger ale. Add about a tsp. of sweetener if necessary. I liked mine without — the Zevia is sweet enough — but a lot of people are used to very sugary cocktails. Garnish with mint and a lime wedge.
Total Calories: 135
PS: That’s all for the vodka. Lighten it up even more by using half the amount of vodka and more ginger ale.
I also served up some amazing vegan and gluten-free Black Bean Brownies that I found on Chocolate Covered Katie, which I affectionately dubbed, “Skinny Bitch Brownies.”
Now don’t get your panties in a bunch, I’m referring to the female dog variation of the word.
These. Were. Incredible.
I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to try a black bean brownie recipe. They were so gooey and chocolately that you seriously could not tell there were beans in there. These are a must make and they’re being added to my regular recipe rotation. I’m actually planning on making a peanut butter version next, get ready.
The skinny bitches were accompanied by melt-in-your-mouth, vegan “Chow-colate Chip Cookies” from Oh She Glows…
…and some “Sniffer-doodles.” These were not healthy so I won’t be providing a recipe (I gotta cater to the masses too).
Which brings us to the doggie treats.
I made these “Barkin’ Biscuits” from a recipe I found just by googling healthy dog treats. The recipe turned out to be way to dense though so I added water and a little honey to sweeten.
Healthy Dog Cookies/Biscuits
Ingredients:
2 C. Wheat/White Flour
1/2 C. Pumpkin
2 Eggs
3 T. Peanut Butter
1/4 C. Water
1 Tsp. Honey
1/2 tsp. Salt
Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350. Mix all ingredients together until they form a dough. Add more water or flour depending on consistency. Lightly flour a working space and roll out your dough. Cut out fun shapes or use your hands to form into bones. Place cookies on a baking sheet with wax paper and bake for 20 minutes.
I was so impressed with how the cookie biscuits turned out. The dogs went wild for them. My friend even suggested I package them. Uh huh, I’m big time now.
The highlight of the baked goods though had to be the Bone Cake. This was another recipe I found online but then ended up majorly revamping.
The dogs were also pretty crazy about this one. So crazy, that we had a a fight breakout at the end.
Note to self: do not just toss an entire cake into a group of hungry dogs.
If you cut this into pieces and serve it properly though, I guarantee it will be the highlight of any doggie party.
Big-Boned Doggie Birthday Cake
Ingredients:
1 C. White/Wheat Flour
1/4 C. Peanut Butter (no salt or sugar added)
1/4 C. Coconut Oil
1 C. Shredded Carrots
1/2 C. Pumpkin
1/4 C. Honey
2 Eggs
1/4 C. Water
For icing:
Low-Fat Cottage Cheese
Peanut Butter
Directions:
Heat oven to 350. Add all ingredients together and bake in a greased rectangular pan for about 20 minutes. Once the cake has cooled, use a knife to cut it into a bone shape. Transfer to a nice serving plate. Use a blender or food processor to puree the cottage cheese to a smooth consistency and ice your cake. Using an icing tool or simply a plastic bag with the corner cut off, use the remaining peanut butter to personalize a birthday message.
A big thank you to all my friends who attended Mr. Chow’s soiree. It meant a lot to him, he told me himself.
And thank you to Zevia for providing the delicious healthy sodas that fueled the party, and inspiring my new favorite cocktail: the Skinny Moscow Mule, aka Moscow Mutt.
If you’re interested in adopting an adorable Chow to fill your life with happiness and turn you into a raving, dog-obsessed lunatic, please visit the Adopt-A-Chow website.
Contrary to popular belief, Chow’s are the sweetest dogs ever and so cute, fluffy, and loyal.
There are so many of them in need of a good home here in L.A.
Mr. Chow has been an overwhelming positive presence in our little family since we brought him home last December and I can’t imagine my life without him.
*This post is linked to Marvelous in my Monday.
Kristina @ Damn Ten Pounds says:
I LOVE everything about this post. But I think I’m a crazy dog person too, so take that with a grain of salt. Mr. Chow is one lucky pooch. We celebrate my pups birthday every year with special treats, longer walks and lots of extra fun, but I think I’m going to step it up next year with a party. He only turns 28 once, after all ;)
Whitney English says:
Yes he does! The next year he’ll be in his mid-thirties and might be totally over parties :)
Lauren @ ihadabiglunch says:
I’ve never been to a dog party (although I’ve seen it growing in popularity all over Chicago). I don’t have a dog but am planning on getting one in the next few years so I know that if I end up loving the pup as much as a human (like I’ve heard you do), I can totally see myself throwing a party like this!
Whitney English says:
I had dogs growing up and was completely in love with them as well. But now having one as an adult, I seriously feel like he is my baby. I can’t imagine loving anything more. Am I sounding crazy again, haha?!
Dr. J says:
I have to admit I dressed up my German shepherd twice for Halloween!
Once as superman, and when we trick or treated at one home, the kid who answered the door had the same costume, lol! They both loved that!
The other time I made him Miss America! He was quite fetching with his sash and tiara!
Whitney English says:
Hahaha that is amazing!! Pictures please!!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven says:
Everything about this is amazing. Can I hire you to throw my future dog’s birthday party? I am 100% going to be a crazy dog owner who throws parties for every dog occasion. Bar-mitzvah included. It sounds like I’d fit in in LA. Yup, time to move!
Whitney English says:
If you like absurd parties, you’d fit in perfectly. Come on out!!
And yes, I’m available for dog birthdays, weddings, graduations, and especially bar-mitzvahs :)
Ashley @ Broc Blog says:
Im obsessed with my dog but she lives in Chicago. This party is seriously adorable! My friends dog turns one next week and I want to have a party. Yep, my withdrawal is so bad I want to have a party for a dog that isn’t even mine.
Whitney English says:
Aw sad :( Well at least you’ll get to see her over the holidays right?! And if you need help planning your friend’s doggie birthday extravaganza, you know where to find me!
Tonya@Healthy, Fit, and Frugal says:
Too funny! Is it wrong that I thought the dog biscuits looked as yummy as the human food? I have a cat that I adore, but we don’t celebrate anything. He gets excited if I let him out the door for five minutes. He probably hates his life. :)
Whitney English says:
Haha, I’m sure your cat is very happy. He probably has a whole secret life going on outside :)
Coco says:
I’m so bummed I missed this!!! Looks like Chow had a blast. As soon as I get a pup in my life I’m sure I’ll be right there with you with the dog bday party throwing :)
Whitney English says:
You are welcome to paw-tay with Chow any day of the week. Stop by for a Moscow Mutt this week!
zozo says:
I LOVE that you did this. My first dog was part chow and she was super sweet and loyal. If I make some more dog parent friends I will definitely do this for my pup.
Also, that cocktail sounds delicious. I’ve heard of Moscow Mules but never had it. I do like Dark & Stormys though–dark rum + ginger beer + lime
x atelier zozo
Whitney English says:
Mmm, I’ll have to try these with rum next time!
Claudia Rosenbaum says:
Lord Byron and Oliver made the blog! What a fun party. If I had know the drinks were skinny Moscow Mutts I would have had many more
Whitney English says:
I told you they were! That’s ok, I’ll make them for you again soon :) Thanks for coming! xoxo
Jody - Fit at 56 says:
I will eat all the dog cookies! ;)
I know this is so LA.. I see the dressed up dogs at Fashion Island & other places around here & in their strollers so I am sure they get parties too! ;)
Whitney English says:
Haha, I labeled them to make sure people knew which were for humans and which were for the pups!
GiGi Eats Celebrities says:
SO you didn’t see me but…. I TRIED YOUR MOSCOW MUTT…. I didn’t tell you this today but I got a DUI last night when I was driving, because the TINY SIP I HAD was so strong, I was blowing a .2 LMFAO!
Mr. Chow is quite possibly one of the luckiest dogs EVER!!! If I could have, I would have face planting right into the BOW-WOW-CAKE!!!
Whitney English says:
You scared me for a second there! I’ll make you your own grain-free, dairy-free, sugar-free cake to face plant in :) Deal?!
Kelsey says:
OMG Happy Birthday MR. Chow! What a diva baby! Whit, your creativity with those names and recipes is so great!!! My husky border collie pup Wrigley is such a little princess! I dressed her up for halloween, she gets the cereal milk from my bowl every morning, and I mix fancy food into her nightly creations. Such a diva. Wrig’s 4th birthday is going to be modeled off Mr. Chows for sure!
Whitney English says:
Wrigley sounds like she has it made! So happy I could inspire some fun plans for her 4th :) Too bad you’re not here in L.A….I think they would really hit it off!
Lauren @ Sweat The Sweet Stuff says:
How fun! Love the sniffer doodles! Never had or been to a doggie party. I think it’s very Cali though! Not so much in Washington. Haha. I bet they loved it though! Such a good mama! :)
Whitney English says:
Haha #soLA! I just kept reminding myself it’s for the dog’s benefit, not mine. Uh huh :)
anne says:
I love this so much!! I have an adorable maltipoo who would have loved this, what a great idea! I need to try that drink recipe, it sounds delicious. Drinks, (healthy) desserts & dogs, what’s not to love!
Whitney English says:
Thanks Anne!
While the cake was pretty cute, I am definitely most proud of the cocktail. It’s seriously delish. I highly recommend you try it :)
Arman @ thebigmansworld says:
This is the greatest post ever. I’ve never heard of such an event- Can you adopt me as a pretend puppy too? I don’t think even my 21st birthday was as nice as that!
Whitney English says:
If you come to L.A., I’ll bake you a cake, how’s that?! :)
Arman @ thebigmansworld says:
Perfect. Actually, as much non dude food as possible ;)
Whitney English says:
Haha, ok! Why do you hate dude food so much?!
Grace says:
Happy birthday Mr. Chow!
Love, Grace and Prince Caspian
Whitney English says:
Thanks Grace! I hope Mr. Chow and Prince Caspian can meet sometime! Come visit us in L.A. :)
Jordan Lynn // Life Between Lattes says:
This is the first post I’ve ever read on your blog, and I love it! I’m am such a dog person, and I think Mr. Chow is super adorable. My family has two poodles, and poodle cupcakes seems to make an appearance around each dogs birthday. :)
Whitney English says:
Hi Jordan! Thanks for stopping by. Poodle cupcakes sound so cute :) If you have pics, share them on TL&DLA’s Facebook page!! Hope to see you around here more often!
Katy says:
I can attest to the fact that dog birthdays are totally the norm out here. I have been to several. None have been as good as Chows, however! Thanks again for having us!
Whitney English says:
So glad someone can vouch for me and very proud to have made the top dog party list. Reese and Cola are the cutest! Thanks for coming!
Jana @ Happy Wife Healthy Life says:
Oh my goodness girl, I am speechless! So in love with this idea and I want to move to LA just so I can throw my dog Tebow a party there, how cool! I am absolutely a dog person too! How can you not be? :)
Whitney English says:
Your dog’s name is Tebow?! So cute!!!
You don’t have to live in L.A. to throw one though. Start the trend in your town! You’re so hip I bet everyone would start doing it :)
Brittany says:
Gigi told me she was going to your doggy bday party and I wasn’t sure what it would be like, but this looks so legit. Specifically for all the vegan TREATS OMGGAHH! I also am so in love with your dog, he is SO CUTE!