Chaos And Cocktails

Dear Dog Lady,

I am an advertising guy and I’ve noticed a new trend in the annals of marketing. Yuppy-puppy parties, where people and their dogs are invited to sip and sup, have become hugely popular cocktail fundraisers for animal organizations and branding events for trendy hotels and restaurants.

You’re always sounding off about what’s good for the dogs. Do dogs really like to nibble and mingle at these soirees? Or does all the forced socializing stress them out?

Matthew, New York, NY

Matt, phew! Funny you should ask. When Dog Lady and her darling recently attended a “Doggies and Daiquiris” party, my terrier yanked me aside for a little bowser babble: “Either you allow me to sniff that Pug’s rump or get me outta here,” he seemed to demand. Ultimately, I let him do both, but not before we made a pit stop in the kitchen where a canine caterer was assembling platters of the most delicious looking yappetizers. The indulgent chef gave my angel a few meatballs for sitting politely.

Meatballs aside, these events benefit the humans more than the animals. When leashed canines cram into an indoor space, it must be tres confusing for them. They don’t know they’re at a chic social gathering and must wonder if they’ve crashed landed on some weird animal planet. They strain to be social the best way they know how, which is to break loose and figure out who’s the leader of the posh pack. Actually, “posh” is not a word known to doggies who transmit their status symbols with peemail, which is verboten communication at these bashes, although some party poopers do lift their legs. Thank goodness Dog Lady saw no squatters.

You’re keen to observe these “BYOD” (bring your own dog) events are clever marketing and fundraising. People like to nosh and kvell over their pets. Drinks are quaffed, hors d’oeuvres are nibbled, and woe unto the women who struggle to control their unruly blonde Labs while wearing Manolo Blahnik stilettos and spaghetti strap chemises.

Posted by Dog Lady at August 22, 2005 10:14 AM