Mazel Tov--it's a canine celebration!

Friends and family gather for G-Boy's big day

G-Boy at his Bark Mitzvah in Palm Springs. All photos courtesy of Rhoda Hertz.

By Judy Keenan

Leonard Jacobs loves his Shih Tzu, Golden Boy (aka G-Boy or G) so much that when G-Boy turned thirteen Leonard threw him a lavish Bark-Mitzvah.  In a cleverly crafted vernacular for dogs a Bark Mitzvah is the dog equivalent of the coming of age ceremony for young men (Bar Mitzvah) or young women (Bat Mitzvah) of the Jewish faith.  Invitations were professionally printed and sent to Palm Beach friends who enjoy any excuse for a good party.

A luncheon to remember

Although G-Boy snoozed through most of the festivities, he was wide awake when it was time to cut the cake.

The invitation promised a "luncheon to remember" at the very swank and upscale Chesterfield on 01/10/10 at 12:30.  In a series of P.S. and P.P.S's on the back of the invitation guests were advised that the women should look good and that there is a Nordstrom in Boca. For men that the event was black tie optional.

"I'm probably mentally unbalanced," quips Leonard when asked what possessed him to throw this event. He goes on to report that there were twenty five guests including four dogs.  There was music, an open bar and an open menu. 

Coming to the Cape soon?

G-Boy, the star of the show, wore a yarmulke (the Jewish skull cap worn during religious ceremonies) and he wore a tallit (prayer shawl).  Both Nicole Merriman of Hot Diggity in Mashpee and Betsy Sommer of The Chatham Beach Dog in Chatham declared they had not yet had anyone looking for Bark Mitzvah supplies.  "During Chanukkah we have toys and treats in our bakery case for that holiday. If we had a request we would make it happen." states Nicole.  She also observes that it takes longer for those trends to reach the Cape. "My sister lives in New York City where dogs wear coats and I had never sold coats on the Cape.  Now before Christmas this year, I sold twenty one dog coats."  Betsy Sommer has never heard of the event either but in the spirit of fun and festivity says, "Why not make it a very special occasion?"

Leonard aka Popi and the "man" of the hour G-Boy.

The mother-in-law presides

The actual Bark Mitzvah ceremony was presided over by Rhoda Hertz, owner of Baby Girl or GG, a miniature French Poodle from Canada.  Leonard refers to Rhoda as G Boy's mother-in-law, referring to  G-Boy's and Baby Girl's wedding ceremony which occurred two years ago in Monticello, New York. At that ceremony "Rabbi Wolf", a stray from a shelter officiated under a Chupa (canopy).  Rhoda says, "She is our only daughter.  We have three sons."  The marriage has "never been consummated.   All they do is sniff each other." She jokes.

Thirteen in human years is multiplied by seven to reach G Boy's dog years of ninety one, making him a senior citizen of sweet nature and regal bearing who exercised his prerogative and slept through most of the ceremony.  He was awakened for the candle lighting and, of course, he liked the cake.  Following social protocol, a nicely printed Thank You card was sent from G-Boy to the guests with P.S.s and P.P.Ss applauding Rhoda, Popi (Leonard) and "my sexy and beautiful wife."

Rhoda with G-Boy and his blushing bride Baby Girl.

Pucci's big day

Paulette Cooper Noble writes that she had a similar ceremony for her dog on Fire Island. "Yes, when my little Pucci turned 13, we had a Bark Mitzvah for her.  We played it for gags.  You may know that bar mitzvah kids read the "Haftorah" and say "today I am a man," and get lots of useless pen and pencil sets.   So we claimed our dog had learned her "Arf-torah," and we held her up and said, "today I am a dog.  Thank you for all your pen and pencil sets.  In the Jewish tradition, when you wish to congratulate someone you say 'Mazel Tov,' so let's all say..."  And in unison everyone said "Mazel Tov."  That was it.  We may be meshuganah, but we're not crazy."

Can this trend be coming to the Cape?  Should we be looking for other similar ceremonies such as a conFURmation, a DOGutant ball, a PURRfect prom-oops-that would be cat vernacular, not dog.  Paws and reflect.

Professionally printed invitations and thank yous were part of the posh party.