Pugs, Pinot and Potstickers: Hosting a Dog-Friendly Cocktail Party
Pugs, Pinot and Potstickers: Hosting a Dog-Friendly Cocktail Party
Allana Wesley White/Corbis
If you enjoy cocktail parties and all they entail -- lighthearted gab, appetizers and aperitifs -- just think what all that socialization could do for your true-blue canine. She must be ready for a little fun of her own -- c'mon, just think of all the blind-date-gone-bad stories she's had to hear over the years. So if you'd take your sweetie to a dog park or outdoor café, why not bring her to a cocktail party?
An increasing number of swanky guest lists include a plus-one meant for a four-legged friend. From the annual White House Pet Correspondents' Benefit to neighborhood bashes, pugs and other pets are making an entrance. In fact, doggie party dresses are so en vogue that they're setting seasonal trends, just like the human versions.
Hosting your own dog-friendly cocktail party will be fun, but this "yappie" hour still requires plenty of preparation, starting with the guest list. You'd invite people from similar circles to a regular party, so extend the same courtesy when planning your canine soiree. Start with members of your local breed association, pet parents you've met at puppy obedience class or foodies from your social circle who happen to be dog lovers.
The key is to encourage guests to bring only well-socialized dogs, regardless of breed. You may also want to place a few restrictions on your invite list based on space. If you're hosting a party in a small apartment, Great Danes aren't going to get past the doorman -- that's a crowd best suited for a patio. If you do host your festivities outdoors, you can set up a dog agility course using cardboard boxes and hula hoops, with prizes for the winners.
As for the menu, signature canine cocktails of homemade chicken broth can be served in oversized plastic martini glasses (if you buy broth, avoid onion on the ingredient list). Custom-baked treats can be offered; doggie baking mixes and cake forms are available at specialty stores and online. Make-ahead freezer pops combining pureed fruit and yogurt can be served to both two- and four-legged guests. And with plenty of ready-to-wear pet fashions on the market, any theme from Mardi Gras to Fourth of July is sure to be a hit.
If you don't do some dog-proofing, however, it may all be for naught. How do you prevent your cocktail party from descending into canine chaos?
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