Sniffing Out New Friend at 'Yappy Hour'

They didn’t “yap” very much but they did mingle a lot while trying to sniff out a new friend on Thursday night, Feb. 2.

It was the second “Yappy Hour” hosted by Karen Lynch, owner of Style Unleashed, Barrington’s pet boutique on Waseca Avenue.

More than a dozen dogs accepted the invitation to attend. Well, okay, their owners heeded the call to celebrate Valentine’s Day with their canine buddies a few days early. But the dogs seemed to have the most fun.

Lorenzo, a 3-year-old Great Dane owned by Heidi Fannion of Barrington mixed right in with Teddy, a 6-year-old Lhasa Apso owned by Beth Suriani of Barrington that couldn’t sniff anywhere on Lorenzo without a ladder.

Lynch spread out treats for owners and dogs alike, carefully marked, of course. One owner, though, didn’t mind nibbling on a piece of cake made out of chicken livers and vegetables, mostly carrots and sweet potatoes.

The cake was made by Joanie Devine of Bristol, who runs the New England Dog Cake Company when she isn't sitting dogs. You will see her decorated “Pupcakes” in the store.

Anyone who donated to the Bristol Animal Shelter got a red bandana covered with hearts or other Valentine's Day symbols. Lynch offered discounts on merchandise for animal shelter donors as well.

“I don’t think Barrington has ever had Yappy Hours before,” Lynch said. “I would like to do it every month.”

From the scurrying and eating and sniffing going on all around, she just might be on to something for dog owners who want to make new friends for them and their best friends.