Privileged Pets
What was missing in the world of dog socializing, Desh Valcin thought, was “chic and cool.” Sure the park—Central or a local dog park—was fine, but what if pet owners wanted to relax with a glass of wine in their hand? Or have a pro supervise their pup while they chatted up other equally loving pet parents? And so Chase & Papi was unleashed two years ago by Desh, a dog lover by nature and an event planner by profession, to allow New York City pet mamas and papas to do just that: socialize in a cosmopolitan manner with their dogs.
Each party has a theme; previous themes have been Chanel and even a wine tasting evening. The June 2017 Chase and Papi event will have a travel theme. Destinations for these Yappy Hour gatherings have ranged from lofts to luxury lobbies of dog-friendly buildings to a photo studio and a rooftop. And the crowd? Ages of pet parents range between 25 and 50 years old, mostly women and the gay community. As Desh says, “We are very LGBT friendly.” People hear about the events through the grapevine or maybe discover the events on the internet; about 50 guests are the average at each party. Food for pets and owners is always available at Chase & Papi gatherings, and cocktails as well as entertainment create a fun time for all.
Aggressive dogs are not welcome but there is no breed discrimination. Guests must sign a waiver taking full responsibility for their dog’s behavior. This discourages the irresponsible owner, but such a personality is not typically in the mix at a Chase & Papi event. Trainers and dog sitters mingle throughout these events assuring that all dogs are well behaved. It’s helpful for guests— even those who don’t own a dog but who love them and are not living in dog-friendly environments—appreciate having a pro keep an eye out for the dogs while they are socializing. Dogs small and large provide a good mix who mingle easily without incident.
Although Desh does not custom cater birthday parties for pampered pooches, she draws on her background as an event planner to create luxury dog soirees she herself feels comfortable attending. She named the business after her two dogs, Chase, a Maltese-Schnauzer mix and Papi, a Chihuaha.
“I am a big dog lover and a social person. And I love cocktails. So it was only natural I’d find a way to combine all my favorite things. When I started Chase & Papi, dog events were what I’d call ‘unpolished.’ They needed luxury and glamour,and that’s what I have been able to bring.” So far it seems that Desh’s professional polish is indeed a welcome change for New York pet parents and even those who don’t own a dog but just enjoy partying with pups.
The next Chase & Papi event will be on June 10, 2017, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., at Jplus Gallery, 157 W 24th St, New York, NY 10011. For information on Chase & Papi events go to www.chasepapi.com.
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