The Most Unlikely Party Girl

We’ve all met great hostesses, those who make you feel welcome the moment you enter their homes. Curiously, one of the best party givers I know happens to be four-legged, furry, and fabulous. She’s our terrier Libby, who gives new meaning to the line, “Mistress of Ceremonies.” Here are five ways this Yorkie excels in the hospitality department…

She greets each guest “enthusiastically” – Libby hurries to all new arrivals with gusto, giving excited yips and standing on tiny hind paws to give “leg hugs.” Even though she can only reach their knees, she makes her meaning clear. She loves them and is tickled they’re here! If she’s extra persistent, she achieves her full goal: getting picked up so she can give kisses. Certain guests even carry her around. Then Libby, looking like Cleopatra on her barge, knows she’s made her mark.

She engages with each guest– As the party simmers, with people gathered around the coffee table, Libby hops onto each lap to say hello again. No one gets ignored—even if they want to be. Libby makes it her business to rotate the party like a Vegas Blackjack dealer. Only instead of being given cards, each person is dealt Libby. Sometimes Libby gets too obsessed with this goal. On a crowded sofa, she’ll climb over people to get to the one on the end she missed. This can be awkward, especially with drinks and appetizers in hand, but Libby can’t help herself.

She knows how to keep the party going– Libby loves to rev the energy of the evening by encouraging parlor games. Her favorite is “Keep-Away.” If people don’t know how to play, she’ll give them a hint by pushing her plush toy into their hands, over and over. Finally, when they grab it, the match is on, and a tug of war begins. Libby will even growl to show this is fun for her—up to a point. Libby plays to win and once she wrangles that toy away from the now-exhausted guest, shakes it vigorously, to show who’s the victor.

She’s sensitive to each person’s mood – Libby not only greets each person, but in her own way, has a conversation with them. Like most empathic canines, she can tell their vibe or demeanor in a whiff. Do they need a cuddle? A fully-launched kissing attack? Or just being left alone? Sigmund Freud would be jealous. Many times, Libby will lie next to someone extra-long and just let them pat her, as if to provide quiet companionship amid the boisterous talking and laughing. Like any good hostess, Libby reads the room.

She subtly hints when it’s time to leave – Sometimes Libby seems to feel the party has gone on long enough. That’s when she’ll lie in the middle of everything, stretched on her side like roadkill, and fall asleep. If the hour’s getting way past her bedtime, she’ll even start to snore. Seeing Libby so comfortable reminds guests of their own soft pajamas and favorite Netflix series back home. Soon, people are yawning and stretching and saying their goodbyes. Libby comes out of her sleep long enough to say farewell, although her eyelids look much heavier than at the beginning of the evening.

Who knew dogs were so versatile? Not only do they guard the house and provide endless entertainment, but they also help with parties. There’s no doubt about it, Libby is four-legged, furry—and as a hostess—fabulous.

Do you have a four-legged co-host in your life? I’ve also seen party-loving cats. Comments are always welcome and if you’d like to receive posts by email, just press here.