It’s raining puppies and kitties!

About three years ago, Dona Penfold capped a surprise baby shower for a friend with the gift of a lavender rhinestone collar. The party wasn't in Europe, where some tots troll the streets on leashes. It was in Billings, Mont., and the "baby" in question was a sweet little Yorkshire terrier.

Penfold's puppy shower was such a whopping success that guests encouraged their hostess to do more with the idea. With her daughter's help, Penfold wrote and self-published How to Host A Puppy Shower ($13.95). Loaded with decorations, recipes and games for the budget-minded, it appears to be the only guidebook for this not-quite-mainstream ritual.

Puppy showers (and, by extension, kitten showers, rabbit showers, etc.) were bound to happen. According to a recent survey by the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association, almost one-third of dog owners buy gifts for their dogs' birthdays. Could full-fledged parties be far behind?

Sydney Cicourel, owner of Buster & Sullivan, has thoroughly embraced the celebratory spirit. At her University Village dog boutique, a white crib brims with pink and blue shower swag (balls, "prince" and "princess" T-shirts and sweaters) and The Puppy Baby Book ($21.95), a fill-in-the-blank journal for charting Prince's first meal, playmates, medical records, favorite activities and so on.

Buster & Sullivan also offers a gift registry service for showers, frosted birthday bones with a spot for a candle, invitations and announcements. In one, a puppy peers out from the pram with the message: It's a dog! When you're ready to send the invitations, put a doggie in the details with a postage stamp featuring the sweet face of your new addition (20 personalized stamps cost $18.99 at www.photostamps.com).

Marie Sarff's number-one gift suggestion for a puppy shower is a toy, such as a Puppy Kong (small, $4.99). "People are picky about collars, and they usually want dishes that match their décor," says Sarff, who owns Fetch Pet Grocery in Madrona. She also suggests avoiding treats, especially for a new dog who may have allergies. A gift certificate for a convenient dog daycare that specializes in puppies, such as King's Palace, run by Fetch, can be a big help for new mommies and daddies who need backup for burning off excess puppy energy.

Games (like "guess the animal's gestation time") and dog-themed edibles add kitschy fun to a shower. The Penfolds suggest serving appetizers in new dog dishes, which might serve as party favors later, and baking gingersnap cookies in the shape of little poops, also known as "Gingercraps."

Want to shake things up a bit? Buster & Sullivan's Cicourel recommends serving Barkaritas or Mutt-tinis. Or, if you're throwing a shower for a wine-loving pal, why not order custom bottles of wine from Windsor Vineyards? The northern California winery allows you to personalize the labels with a pet photo and a message. (Select from 15 different wines, $10 to $30 per bottle; there's a three-bottle minimum.) Glass of New Dawg Chardonnay, anyone?

As for party favors, let everyone take a memento of the furry star home with them. It's easy to turn digital images into lapel buttons at several online vendors, including www.zazzle.com ($1.35 to $5.95 each).

Don't forget to send guests off with a treat bag for any pups they left at home. It's usually best to be clear in the invitation that pets aren't invited. Young puppies or recently adopted adult dogs can be overwhelmed by the anarchy of a pack fiesta. And even if all your guests are human, after a few too many Mutt-tinis, things can get rowdy, so Penfold says be prepared with alternative plans (a crate in a quiet room or a critter sitter) for the guest of honor.

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