Our furry loved ones have a special way of bringing out our inner child. Have you ever noticed how they play with no inhibitions? It’s a great reminder for us to do the same. Letting our inner child out to play is so important for our mental health and to connect more deeply with others, including our fur family.
Just last weekend, I got to do exactly that—let my inner child out to play! How, you ask? Well, I attended a very special birthday party for my dog niece and nephew, Luke and Leia, who turned 8 (yes, their parents are Star Wars fans!).
Maybe you’re picturing a party full of dogs and their people, but that wasn’t the case. Sure, Luke and Leia got lots of presents (check out the cool bandanas from their fun-loving Aunt Beth 🥰), and they enjoyed their special pup cups after everyone sang to them. But the party was really for us humans to have some child-like fun!
Why, you ask?
Because we needed it!
I bet many of you can relate to dealing with grief. It’s funny how it sneaks up on you. Everything seems fine, and then bam, it hits again. That’s why I adore my sister’s brilliance. “Let’s celebrate something,” she said, and Luke and Leia were more than happy to oblige.
Of course, the party had a Star Wars theme. A sign at the door welcomed us to “the Bark side.” We had party hats with Luke and Leia’s faces as Star Wars characters. After munching on a dog bone-shaped cheese ball, we played Pin the Tail on the Vizsla (don’t worry, it was a picture, not the real dogs!). I won that game, by the way—bragging rights for me!
Next, we grabbed inflatable light sabers and practiced our Jedi skills with balloons. It was chaotic, hilarious, and so much fun. The room was filled with laughter and joy, and our spirits were lifted.
As our inner children finally calmed down, our adult bodies grew tired from all the play. Personally, I felt a stronger connection to everyone there. Thanks, Jeanne, for knowing exactly what we all needed!
Have you ever thrown a party for your furry friends? Was it more for the four-legged or the two-legged guests? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments!
And if you haven’t had some child-like fun in a while, your animal companions would surely love to be the reason you fill up your (sippy) cup!
Hope this brings a smile to your face and maybe even inspires some fun of your own!