October 2, 2005
It's a pupperware party
This soiree lets basset hounds sample treats, spritzers
Most of us haven't seen a party with howling, drooling guests jumping on tables since our more dubious college days.
But the five guests at Melissa Rogers' Midtown home are supposed to behave inappropriately. They're dogs.
Photos by A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star Smell-good spritzers and bath products are among Shure Pets' inventory, as are basset hound salt and pepper shakers and a basset hound treat jar.
Basset hounds, to be precise, including Scarlet the mad licker, and Scooter, who's demonstrating his lung power. They're the beneficiaries of a "pupperware party" that puts a new spin on the old Tupperware standby. It's the first one for Rogers, a new consultant for Shure Pets, a direct seller of pet supplies.
"No party is complete without a game," Rogers said, handing out a roll of toilet paper and instructing guests simply to take however many squares they think they'll need. A few cast furtive glances at four-legged guest Gertie, who will slime those in her vicinity if given half a chance, and spin the tissue around their hands for several rotations. It turns out not to be as painful a game as might be expected - they just have to tell a fact about their pets for each square they ripped off.
Rogers, 45, who works at a doggy day-care center and makes costumes for dogs as the owner of Heavenly Hounds, needs no encouragement to buy pet products. Basset products have taken over her sewing room. She has basset salt and pepper shakers and a "cookie" jar for treats. She's buying a mailbox wrap with bassets on it. So she thought she'd be barking up the right tree as a pet consultant.
And there are exclamations of delight as she pores through the company's catalog with guests, admiring heated dog beds, scrapbooking kits and throws that fur-proof cars and furniture. Want Fido on the wall? A portrait artist will turn your photograph into artwork with a custom frame. There are pet picture frames or - for the obsessed or brave - glass tables with dog sculpture bases.
Doc enjoys an application of waterless shampoo, helping Rogers demonstrate to guests how easy the product is to put on.
So, what's the secret for a dog party?
Furniture covers are a good idea, as are doggy gates to limit dogs to certain areas of the home, especially if they don't get along.
Treats are appreciated. Rogers is incredibly popular after opening liver-flavored vitamins.
Samples are also nice, as Scooter is rubbed with the mango and orange waterless bath formula. His tail wags, even though he now smells like a girl.
The crew pulls out some spritzer samples and laughs at one called Stud Spritz - sadly coming too late for Scooter. Scarlet ends up modeling Ocean Breeze.
René Luedeman, 40, a distributor of human-grade pet foods who has two dogs, ended up buying some oatmeal shampoo and ear solution. She's been to parties for cookware and candles before, but this was more fun, she said. "This is better. One can only use so many candles."
And her dog Gertie, making herself at home on Rogers' throw-covered couch, agrees.
Shure Pets
Want to find out more about Shure Pets goods or become a Shure Pets consultant?
Call 1-888-SHUREPETS (1-888-748-7373) or go to www.shurepets.com
by Rhonda Bodfield Bloom