Miracles, Spectacle Satiate Lodge Bar

It has been said that dogs resemble their owners. While this expression can either be dismissed or derogatory, it is accurate when one compares the personalities of a pooch and their purchaser. Aggressive individuals own aggressive dogs. Energetic individuals own energetic dogs. Introverted individuals own introverted dogs. Outgoing individuals own outgoing dogs.

Upon my arrival for Dogs on the Deck, Lodge Bar was buzzing. The crowd wasn’t the obligatorily late collection of most charity endeavors. This was an assortment determined to enjoy every moment of a charming event and it’s picturesque weather. What had been an afternoon of precipitation predictions turned into a sun soaked and stellar early evening.

If only my focus were as stellar… Instead of focusing on instantaneous coverage (which was already made difficult by a temperamental phone), I enjoyed a half dozen scattered conversations within twenty minutes of entering the venue. Assistant General Manager Trevor Day may be an exemplary exchange. He may be one of the most articulate and relatable people this website covers… However, twittering was the objective… I have to learn to shut up and concentrate…

Since I’m not shutting up now… I know I’ve discussed various venue employees and their personalities… It is appropriate that I extend similar courtesy to the Columbus Young Professionals, an ensemble with triple the eclectic characters… From post graduate geniuses to ordinary workers… From city pillars to consultants, the Columbus Young Professionals (CYP) possesses enough personality for a three-volume set…

Melanie, an engaging and insightful accountant, is the organization’s Social Chair (appropriate enough as this was Greek week). She may not champion the organization, that responsibility is President Derek Grosso and Vice-President Kristin Mele’s… However, Melanie solidifies the entire organization…

An organization can possess the greatest management and promotions, but if they don’t have sustained inspiration, they will not succeed. Melanie, who spent twenty minutes talking with me, before returning to the table to continue and greet new members, is this organization’s person… Derek and Kristin are important… However, Melanie is imperative…

Whereas Melanie is an unheralded force, Erica is simply forceful. She is engaging. She is insightful. She is a grand conversation. However, Erica prefers certainty over pensive reflection and her actions exhibit this… As I stand talking with another CYP member Nick, Erica and Amy (her friend) walk past. Erica stops for a moment and engages Nick in conversation, where upon she discovers that Nick is single. Her friend Amy is also single.

Instantly, Erica pronounces the pair a match and says they should go out. The fact that either might object for any number of reasons is irrelevant. Erica has made a decision. She has reinforced her decision. She has stated her decision emphatically. Amy and Nick should go out because Erica knows them both. (I don’t think this is how dating is supposed to work, but I think argument would be useless).

Since I’ve mentioned two female members of the organization, I should mention a pair of male members CYP Athletics Chair Dan Brown and Garrick, one of the first people I ever met at a CYP sponsored event… Neither strikes one as persons who would feel comfortable addressing two thousand people on a weekly basis… Instead, they epitomize the inclusion of this organization… Consultants, White Collar workers, Blue Collar workers, teachers… Anyone, not withstanding their personality or social standing can join…

While Crown Princess Kadi is not a CYP member, I couldn’t conclude this section about characters without mentioning her… Wearing a chaotic multi-colored silk top and scrumptious jeans, Kadi arrived with a friend and Bristol, her ferocious Yorkshire terrier… Now, Kadi is unique and normally a pooch only adds to one’s individuality… However, Bristol was the perfect personality compliment… He enhanced Kadi.

As adorable as Bristol was, the unrivaled superstar of the evening was Derby, an eight-week-old spotted miniature dachshund. Lying across her owner’s arms, eyes half closed, Derby seemed intimidated by the crush of people and pooches around her. It was this innocence, this shyness of her features that set her apart. Other dogs seemingly wanted the spotlight. Derby simply wanted a pat on the head…

From mammoth and miniature to playful and relaxed to sassy and silent, there were dozens of dogs who merited attention this evening. CYP President Derek Grosso’s dog barked as others passed, several owners carried their dogs on their shoulders, and others sat with theirs, as they sipped happy hour pitchers… The panorama was expressive and exemplary… Man and woman’s finest friend with their premiere pastime…

Every table and chair of the pit and the railing was occupied… For every four people at a table, two dogs were present… I would estimate that upon the evening’s conclusion, almost four hundred people and two hundred pooches had enjoyed the unique event…

As Dogs on the Deck started elapsing, I encountered DJ Legend and DJ Steve Chase, both of whom were arriving for the evening… Standing inside the patio entranceway, our conversation included the Gossip Awards, Callahan’s, Lodge Bar, several other venues, this website and our personal lives (like any of the three of us have time for one of those)…

As one can imagine, I have met fifty or sixty nightlife and venue notables since this website commenced… What separates those who consistently make the coverage from those who do not is their professionalism… Legend and Chase are both magnificent mixers… However, this alone didn’t earn my respect… It is their professionalism… Their absolute professionalism that make them worth covering…

When Chase, Legend, and I’s conversation concluded, I stared toward the deck where a dozen owners and dogs remained, still drinking and talking under the darkening sky. Obviously, this evening was a success. The Capital Humane Society received money. Dogs and their owners were fortunate enough to enjoy an unpredictably enjoyable day.

However, the success exceeds this. The success was a tribute to a pair of superb entities, Lodge Bar and the Columbus Young Professionals. On Thursday, they presented every facet I assumed they would. Yet, the visual was still incomprehensible. There may be better-managed organizations in this city than those captained by Pat West, Day, and Jen Bunny (Lodge Bar) and Gross, Mele, and Melanie (CYP), but one must strain to locate them.

As I stood on the patio, observing the final owner and dog’s departure, I reflected upon the visual of the proceeding three hours. Within the scenery, one could have viewed reasonable justification for that quote about dogs and owners. They could have also viewed obvious justification for another canine axiom… Dogs are miracles with paws.