Do We Spoil Our Dogs? (And Is That So Bad…)

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It's my dog's second birthday next week and you can bet that we will be showering him with extra treats and at least one new toy. I'll sneak off to the pet store alone instead of taking him with me as usual and will hide his presents until his actual birthday - no peeking!

For many of us, dogs are family and have their birthdays celebrated or receive presents during the holidays. 

Most dogs though, don't get a posh pool party just for them and all of their closest canine companions. A dog named Oreo got just that during her most recent birthday in New Delhi, India.

And this Globe and Mail article tells of Cristal, a Chinese crested who recently celebrated her first birthday complete with a custom cake, delivered balloons and loot bags with homemade doggie biscuits for guests.

The article also mentions that more and more Canadians are buying luxury items for their pets, and businesses are emerging that cater to these pampered pets - such as dog birthday party planning companies. One dog bakery owner says she's not only catering to birthdays anymore, but weddings and any other occasion - owners are even buying their pets cakes after difficult vet visits, for example.

And what about doggie weddings? Earlier this month in New York, two dogs named Baby Hope Diamond and Chilly Pasternak were married in a ceremony that earned them the Guiness World Record Title of most expensive pet wedding ever - worth $158,187.26. The services at the wedding were donated, and the entire event was to benefit the Humane Society of New York.

While that wedding was for a good cause, dog weddings "just because" are not unheard of. For a complete guide to doggie wedding etiquette (and having your dog present at your own wedding) check out this great article.

It sounds a bit ridiculous but if money really were no object, would we go that far? How do you spoil your pets? Let us know in the comments!