Dog Peddling

Petlane specializes in health and safety products such as dog seat belts and holistic pet food. "We discourage pets at parties because we don't want to have a fight; we think it's unsafe," Nemeth says. "But we love the social aspect of pet owners getting together. People like to talk about their dogs, cats or birds almost as much as they like to talk about their kids."

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

The Brambleton party was mostly the gang from Zeb's neighborhood, including Bert the beagle and Snuggles the Shih Tzu-Maltese. The first to arrive: Bob, a 9-month-old pit bull, accompanied by owners Lydia Best and her mother, Patti Best. "This is Bob's first party," Patti Best said. "He loves people." Bob, by the way, has a blog (Everythingandthedog.com), where he later bragged about his night out.

Presley works in product development at Sallie Mae. "I like to get working women to come in the evening to socialize and shop," she said. On this evening, it wasn't long before guests began networking and sharing names of vets who do house calls and stain removers that actually work.

Meanwhile, Shepherd was talking up the paw balm and the pet first-aid kit on display. Like Tupperware sales people, she tried to drum up sales with games and prizes. Two hours later she was still writing orders. Michelle Kline from Sterling spent $78.75 on gifts for Kodiak, her dachshund. "I do spend a lot, but he's my only child," she said.

Total party sales: $350. The hostess pays for the refreshments and gets 10 percent of sales plus a hostess gift and a bonus for anyone from the party who offers to host a future Pupperware event. One person signed up.

Zeb was getting restless. Although he has been awarded a Canine Good Citizen Certificate from CES Dog Training in Manassas, this night he had had enough. He padded to the Shure Pets display table, helped himself to a blue fleece dog bone and carried it to his bed. Where he slobbered on it.

It was time for the party animals to go home.