How many is that in dog years?

Tom Forquer

“He’s just a party animal, so his mother gives him a party,” Marie

Hassett said of birthday beagle Beasley.

Beasley’s friends attending his seventh birthday at the Bayside

Village clubhouse could accurately be described as a pack of hounds.

Hosting the party for the third year in a row were his owners, Nancy

and Dick Hoagland.

The guest list for the beagle’s party on Friday was somewhat

selective.

“They’re just Beasley’s friends. There’s a lot of dogs who aren’t

invited,” Nancy said.

With the dog’s 13 canine guests came about 20 owners, most of whom

were dressed for the party’s luau theme. Last year’s theme was

patriotic, after Sept. 11.

The Hoaglands said that Beasley has acted as a canine networker

for them, giving out a bark when dogs walk by their home, in effect

connecting the owners.

“I know all the dogs’ names, but it took a while to get to know

the owners’ names,” Nancy said. Several party guests said something

similar.

Sharon Antle and her Pomeranian Gracie attended for the second

time.

“It’s so nice because it affords us so many extra friends,” she

said.

While the birthday was a good chance for the people to enjoy

conversation, food and drink with their neighbors and friends, the

occasion offered a rare opportunity for the pooches.

“It’s a really special time because it’s the only time dogs are

allowed on the beach,” Antle said. The community’s management

suspends the rule for dogs’ birthdays, she said.

The dogs took full advantage, using the beach to play catch, dig

and horseplay.

Owners were treated to refreshments and appetizers, and each dog

got a tennis ball, dog biscuits and a bandanna that Hassett had

crafted.

Though this dog party may seem unusual, it is somewhat close to

the norm in an area with dog boutiques such as the Barkery and the

newly opened Dogma.

“People are so into their animals now. It’s a huge market,” said

Vikki Armyne, owner of Macy, a Chihuahua-Doberman pinscher mix.

Beasley’s birthday was inspired by Bayside Village’s community

luau. As the community luau will take place today, the birthday party

was also a warmup.