Dog Birthday Recap: Easy Ways to Make It Special

Last week, Marlee turned 7!

As I mentioned in last week’s post, dog birthdays can feel a bit bittersweet for many of us. Our time with them is never long enough—but that’s exactly why I believe in celebrating each year we get. It’s a chance to reflect on the memories we’ve made and to shower them with some extra love and joy.

Since Marlee’s birthday fell on a weekday (and it’s been so hot where we live), we kept things a little more lowkey this year. But that didn’t make it any less special! I wanted to share a peek into our day together—not just to celebrate Marlee, but also to hopefully inspire other dog parents who are planning a birthday or simply looking for an excuse to create a simple fun day for their pup.

Morning

We kicked off the morning with some extra cuddles and kisses- because no birthday should start without love. After that, we headed outside for our usual playtime and outdoor routine to get some energy out before the real fun began.

Later in the morning, we visited a local Sniffspot for the very first time- and let me just say, we’ll definitely be going back. I’ll be sharing a full review of our experience soon, but for now, just know it was a hit.

Marlee was snoozing hard on the car ride home and barely lifted her head once we got back. Mission accomplished!

Afternoon

Marlee spent most of the afternoon catching up on sleep after her big Sniff Spot adventure- which honestly worked out perfectly and gave me some time to get a bit of work done. Of course, we still managed to sneak in our usual sunbathing sessions throughout the day, and Marlee looked absolutely adorable soaking up the sun in her new bucket hat.

When she was awake (which wasn’t often!), we kept things mellow with some light enrichment activities to keep her mind engaged without overdoing it. It was the perfect balance of rest and fun for her special day.

Evening

As the sun began to set and the weather finally cooled down, we headed back outside for one last round of play- this time with Marlee’s birthday present: a herding ball! She had an absolute blast chasing it around and figuring it out, but in true Marlee fashion, she eventually ditched it in favor of her all-time favorite: the trusty Chuckit ball. Classic Mar.

To wrap up her special day, she enjoyed a well-deserved plate of whipped cream (because what’s a birthday without a treat?). We ended the night with cozy cuddles and a relaxing massage using her favorite scratcher- she was out like a light in no time.

It was a simple, sweet day filled with all her favorite things- just the way she likes it.

Overall, Marlee’s birthday was simple, lowkey, and honestly just perfect. It didn’t take much- just a few thoughtful touches and quality time- but it was so much fun for both of us. It felt good to do something that was easy for me but still exciting (and exhausting!) for her. I know she felt that little bit of extra love, and seeing her so happy made my heart full.

Do you have a birthday tradition for your dog? Or maybe a go-to way to show them some extra appreciation on an ordinary day? I’d love to hear what you do- drop your ideas in the comments below!