Christmas parties come in many shapes and sizes. This one had four legs. The Mayhew Home’s Tinsel & Tails extravaganza at St Paul’s Church, London W6 was a red carpet affair with candle-light, chilled fizz and celebs galore. We had a fabulous time. I also gleaned valuable tips on being the ultimate Christmas party animal.
1 Dress up for the occasion. Ditch the much-loved blanket and get into some glad rags, like Rufus and Bobby.
photo of Bobby and Rufus by Bonnie Baker
Here’s Evie in a red frock, a classic choice for Christmas.
2 Get some humans to volunteer for something eg giving readings and drawing raffles.
At this year’s Tinsel & Tails, Sylvia Syms and Beatie Edney did a mother-and-daughter routine, assisted by their Mayhew dogs Bunny and Billie. Peter Egan, fresh from guesting on Downton Abbey, read poetry while his pooches provided vocal encouragement.
3 Have a bit of a sing-song. Georgian choir Maspindzeli sang a few numbers, while The Great British Bark-Off competed at the back of the church.
4 Don’t invite cats. They always climb the tree and raid the buffet.
5 Make sure there’s plenty to drink. You don’t want to run out of the good stuff halfway through.
6 Watch out for gate-crashers. Big stars like Bill Bailey get their own bodyguard.
7 Have fun, but remember the true meaning of Christmas. When CEO Caroline Yates outlined the Mayhew’s work at home and abroad in countries such as Russia and Afghanistan, there was scarcely a dry eye in the house.
Some less fortunate souls didn’t get to go the ball.
Amaruq (photo from The Mayhew)
You can find out more about 17-month old Siberian Husky Amaruq by clicking here.
Alfie Moon (photo from The Mayhew)
Alfie Moon had to live rough for years. But he’s a gentle boy who likes the quiet life. Find out more here.
Rambo (photo from The Mayhew)
Despite his name, Rambo is a sweet 4-year old cat who likes having his cheeks rubbed. Find out more here.
Honey (photo from The Mayhew)
Honey is a 9-month old female Staffy crossbreed who arrived at The Mayhew because her owner was no longer able to look after her. She’s active, with a sensitive side. Find out more here.
Merry Christmas, one and all, and here’s hoping all these dogs and cats find forever homes in 2015.
dog-tired
As you can see, Evie is now partied out, but you’re invited to continue the Christmas Party Blog Hop with my fine blogger friends. Big thanks to Helen Hollick whose brainchild it is. Now follow on below for more fun. Look carefully. There’s even some party swag in there.
- Helen Hollick: “You are Cordially Invited to a Ball” (plus a giveaway prize)
- Alison Morton: Saturnalia surprise – a winter party tale (plus a giveaway prize)
- Andrea Zuvich: No Christmas For You! The Holiday Under Cromwell
- Ann Swinfen: Christmas 1586 – Burbage’s Company of Players Celebrates
- Anna Belfrage: All I want for Christmas (plus a giveaway)
- Clare Flynn: A German American Christmas
- Debbie Young: Good Christmas Housekeeping (plus a giveaway prize)
- Derek Birks: The Lord of Misrule – A Medieval Christmas Recipe for Trouble
- Edward James: An Accidental Virgin and An Uninvited Guest
- Fenella J. Miller: Christmas on the Home front (plus a giveaway prize)
- J. L. Oakley: Christmas Time in the Mountains 1907 (plus a giveaway prize)
- Jude Knight: Christmas at Avery Hall in the Year of Our Lord 1804
- Julian Stockwin: Join the Party
- Juliet Greenwood: Christmas 1914 on the Home Front (plus a giveaway)
- Lauren Johnson: Farewell Advent, Christmas is come – Early Tudor Festive Feasts
- Lucienne Boyce: A Victory Celebration
- Nancy Bilyeau: Christmas After the Priory (plus a giveaway prize)
- Nicola Moxey: The Feast of the Epiphany, 1182
- Peter St John: Dummy’s Birthday
- Regina Jeffers: Celebrating a Regency Christmas (plus a giveaway prize)
- Richard Abbott: The Hunt – Feasting at Ugarit
- Saralee Etter: Christmas Pudding – Part of the Christmas Feast
- Stephen Oram: Living in your dystopia: you need a festival of enhancement…(plus a giveaway prize)
- Suzanne Adair: The British Legion Parties Down for Yule 1780 (plus a giveaaway prize)
- Lindsay Downs: O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree
Thank you for joining in, and see you in the New Year.
Easy tweet: “How to Be a Party Animal by @DrCarolCooper http://bit.ly/1vbXmo3 #winterparty with @HelenHollick @alison_morton @clarefly & other bloggers”
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Sounds like a Xmas party with a difference! Nice to see the guests made an effort to dress up…
It was a fun party, I’m glad to say the humans made an effort too.
Delightful, Carol, thank you.
Ah, thanks, Peter. All the dogs were really well behaved, apart from a little interrupting now and again!
Lovely post Carol….I would have more cats if I could but I’m afraid the lovely Jaffa would be must disgruntled. He likes being Top Cat. Happy Christmas to you, from me and Jaffa x
Mishmish is just the same. She’d have a fit if she had any competition. Hope you and Jaffa have a lovely Christmas too x
What a great way to ‘find ‘ blogs that are new to me. X
It’s a great idea, isn’t it? I haven’t had any internet most of today so I’m looking forward to catching up with some reading this evening.
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LOL – sounds a fab party 😀
It’s been a lot of fun so far, though not being online much today I’ve got some reading to catch up.
Bobby and Rufus are my favourites, but Rambo looks so sweet. Great post, Carol – such an original slant on the winter festivities.
Thank you, Alison. It was certainly one of the more unusual parties I’ve attended this year. I have a soft spot for Evie, but didn’t manage to take a photo that did her justice. Have a lovely Christmas.
What a unique idea! Thanks for sharing with us. Happy Holidays!
It was a great party. All I did was turn up and enjoy it! Have a wonderful Christmas.
I loved the pictures of Evie in his Christmas garb, especially the “dog-tired” one.
The party was delightful. I am too shy to ever become a true “party animal.”
Thank you. The party was great, with something for everyone. See you at next year’s Tinsel & Tails?
Awwh! Such Cuteness! Merry Christmas!
Thanks, and Merry Christmas to you too.
Thanks Carol, interesting to hear about this happening in London – a part of the life of the capital I knew nothing about.
Thank you, Richard. London is indeed a many-splendored place.
A party animal is for life, not just for Christmas! Great pics, great post, Carol – merry Christmas to you and to Evie too (Christmas Evie?)
Thank you very much, Debbie. Some of the animals, like Amaruq, are desperate for homes, but I don’t think my cat would be impressed if I brought them all home! Have a lovely Christmas.
Lovely post, Carol! We’ve just adopted a tabby kitty (Maxi) found in a shed with his starving mother. It didn’t seem to do him any harm, coming into the world in tough conditions. I’ve had cats all my life, but I’ve never known one who could move so fast or who showed such early signs of high intelligence. Unfortunately our 16 year old cocker, Sasha, finds his attempts to persuade her to play games somewhat trying. She just wants a peaceful life!
Aww! That sounds lovely. Hope Maxi has a wonderful first Christmas and doesn’t drive Sasha mad. Keeping the peace over the holidays can be tricky. By the way, I’m a cat person at heart, but how can anyone not love dogs?
Love the don’t invite cats! LOL Thoroughly enjoying a re-visit to the Blog Hop – thanks for taking part, and have a very Happy New Year!
Thank you very much, and Happy New Year to you too. A super hop all round, and I was delighted to take part. I’m not letting my cat read this post, though.
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