Pamper your pooch on its birthday
Stephanie Ip
There is no better time to pamper your pooch than on its birthday.
Whether it's showering the dog with affection or expressing devotion in other ways, a growing number of dog owners have taken to celebrating their pets in new and fun ways.
Pet birthday parties and photography sessions offer excellent opportunities to play pooch dress-up.
Iris Tam, who owns three large dogs and wanted to make them look less threatening and "cuter", started WOW Pet Shop with a friend, Pat Pang, a year ago.
Hong Kong has 31 designated dog parks and gardens where owners can treat their pets to a birthday party. All of the spaces are managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
Tam enjoys taking her dogs to the Cyberport Waterfront Park, Victoria Peak Garden and Tai Tam Country Park.
In the New Territories, Sai Kung Promenade is a popular destination for a day out by the sea. Many nearby restaurants are dog-friendly, too. Penfold Park, inside Sha Tin Racecourse, has well-maintained lawns and man-made lakes perfect for owners and their pets to spend a relaxing day wandering around.
No birthday party is complete without a cake, however. Instead of buying the treats from dog bakeries or pet stores, Tam prefers to make her own.
"I make them a wagyu beef and sweet potato cake," Tam says. "The cakes at dog bakeries may look pretty, but they may not be good for dogs."
Tam uses vegetable oil instead of butter, and only natural ingredients.
The shop specialises in gourmet dog cakes in all shapes and sizes, and uses only natural, fresh and organic ingredients.
If dog parks are not your thing, canine cafes are an alternative venue in which to host birthday celebrations.
Tsui says his cafe receives about seven to eight reservations for dog birthdays each month. The cafe is located in Causeway Bay and can seat up to 20 people with big dogs or 30 people with small ones.
The eatery offers much more than just catering. Tsui and his staff will help plan parties, from sending out invitations to providing games. There is also a staff photographer on hand to capture memorable moments.