I adore theme parties and my friend Cindy is the Queen of Theme. Last summer she had a debutante party for her dog, Haley. Haley is aptly named for the comet, as she careens through space leaving a trail of chaos behind her. Haley is a classic Jack Russell terrier and has by Cindy’s admission a "stormy and fiery" personality.

Well, Cindy decided it was time for Haley to "come out" so invitations were sent out by the Committee for the Canine Cotillion. We, Cindy’s friends, comprised the Committee. We donned evening gowns, stuck tiaras on our heads, and sat in the receiving line. The owners of all the dogs invited to the deb party presented their white tie and white-gowned dogs to our scrutiny. The more ridiculous the lineage they invented the more we loved it. I mean one mutt arrived with a lineage peers of the English realm would die for. We howled. Swathed in diamonds and pearls we giddily wondered when we’d had more fun. Haley on the other hand was in her Olympic-swimming mode and was dog paddling back and forth across the pool as we indulged in her catered dog-bone shaped ice-cream cake.

Next year Cindy thought Haley might join the Army or Navy but we, her friends, don’t feel army drab or navy blue becomes us so we will push for Haley to marry or at least go to Henley so we can wear big hats. Big hats with ribbons and flowers and veils. Thank heaven for Haley.

By Tina