Birthdays are a big deal, and they should be. Living in this crazy world isn't always easy, so we should make time to celebrate the lives of those we love.

But what if the festivity is for the four-legged friend in your life?

Throwing a party for your pup is not that different from throwing one for a person — just think a little lower to the ground. As with any party, the guest list should come first, Wendi Straddeck says.

"You have to think about how many dogs you can manage," says Straddeck, a Raymore, Mo., pet sitter who has done dog parties. "You have to think about the size of the dogs and the breed and keep in mind how much room you have." Eight to 10 people and their dogs is a good crowd, she says.

If your doggy goes to day care or a dog park, think about the pups she plays with. Those are the dogs and owners you'll want to invite. It's a good idea to throw the party outside. But regardless of whether it's inside or out, keep plenty of towels, wipes and plastic bags on hand to clean up messes quickly.

When you have a guest list and a location, send out invitations. E-vite (www.evite.com) is chic and easy, or hand-deliver invitations to emphasize how special the occasion is.

For human guests, make special cocktails or pitchers of sangria. Prepare treats that your guests won't mind sharing with their pets, such as cheese cubes, peanut butter cookies or chicken fingers.

Bring a cake for the people. How about one shaped like a bone or one with a picture of your pooch on it? Stay away from chocolate or any ingredients that could be harmful to pets.

For the dogs, invest in some fun, colorful plastic bowls to spread around the yard so the pups have plenty of water to drink. The bowls can double as party favors by filling them with chews, Kong toys (www.kongcompany.com) and Three Dog Bakery ruffles (www.threedog.com). You also can get Three Dog celebration cake for about $20. Or make your own puppy treats with the recipes at www.seefido.com. The site has directions for everything from oat cakes to corny dogs.

Another option is the Barkin Dog Bakery (www.barkindogbakery.com), a mail-order-only business. Barkin Dog also caters dog parties with a package that includes invitations, balloons, bandannas, plates, party favors and a pizza, cupcakes or cake specifically for the dogs. A party for six dogs costs $70.

How you party is really about your dog's style. You can have an obedience contest, a relay race or even a fashion show. To encourage plenty of play, keep tug ropes and tennis balls around the yard. Get a Polaroid and take pictures, so everyone can go home with a picture of their favorite friend.

By the end of your puppylicious party, everyone will wonder who let the dogs out.