You are currently browsing the tag archive for the ‘Pre-Westminster Fashion Show’ tag.
Thanks to blogger/author Kevin Middleton for this great interview last week. We talked about FULL SNOW MOON and SOMETHING’S LOST AND MUST BE FOUND. I hear his wife is a true lover of dogs, so hopefully they will become friends of National Dog Week! http://thebattleofthegatehouse.webs.com/apps/blog/show/13466053-author-interview-with-lisa-begin-kruysman
Rose Russo is a friend and a true advocate for man’s best friend. If her name sounds familiar, it is because she is very active among the New York City circle of animal advocates. A former NYPD Detective, Rose’s life was changed forever by the events of 9/11. Rose now dedicates her life to helping dogs as a trainer, groomer, foster and rescuer. To read more please see BLOG ARCHIVES of August 26,2010.
Recently, Rose told me the story of a little terrier she rescued while staying in Homestead, Florida. Rose tells it so well, I am just going to let her do all the talking!
BLOG NOTES: I just want to say a quick congratulations to Sean Martin and his Kids Adopt a Shelter Spring Drive. Hopefully we can provide feedback soon. I also want to point out that Project Pets Spay, Neuter, Love has a new website http://spayneuterlove.org/ . Every once in awhile, I will hit their donate button and donate a dollar or two. Just imagine how much money could be raised for the Spay and Neuter of more dogs and cats if everyone did the same.
Now for the story of Railan Russo as told by Rose Russo~
On Friday, January 20th, at approximately 6:30 PM, we packed the Ford Explorer, punched an address into the GPS and headed to the Sunshine State. I took the wheel and Penny-Lane and Lily-Pads were onboard for the drive. Originally, we had planned to leave early Saturday morning, but Mother Nature planned otherwise. With a pending storm bearing down on the North East, Saturday morning, we skipped the good night rest and left Friday night. Of to Florida we went. Even with the few stretches of bad weather we continued straight through only making a few stops to nap and freshen up.
I had never been to Homestead, Florida; I actually never even knew it existed. Because we had to get back to New York for Westminster our time was limited. We were meeting Designer Kiki Hamann for a Pre-Westminster dress fitting. Kiki Hamann is one of the premier designers for the event. The ride to Kiki’s home was astonishing, the cows, the farms and all the stray dogs. Once I arrived at Kiki’s home I learned that Homestead was a wonderfully close community that is unfortunately burdened with the reputation of being a place to abandon dogs. Many individuals end up caring for seven, eight and more dogs. Kiki herself has 8 dogs, most she has rescued. I remember growing up in Brooklyn and seeing dogs walking in packs, but we are in the 21st century I thought those days were long gone. I couldn’t believe my eyes, and of course my heart went out to them.
At Kiki’s home, I was greeted not only by Hamann’s 8 dogs but by one little guy lurking near the fence. I think he was checking us out. The next morning, while the Hamanns had to run some errands, I stayed behind. Well back came our little visitor,, and it seemed as if he wanted to come over and play but being cautious he kept his distance. As he saw me sitting in the field, playing and rolling around the grass with my dogs, he became more curious. He was so adorable looking, and I knew behind all that smell and crusted matted hair, he had a beautiful coat.
When the Hamanns came home, the little guy had been groomed and looked like a brand new dog. Kiki couldn’t believe her eyes, she told me she had been trying for months to get close to him and pet him but he kept his guard. I took the task of grooming many stays that day and It was priceless watching their faces during and after being groomed and pampered. I would do it again and again, because every fur baby needs to be groomed and pampered once in their lifetime.
As my visit grew longer, he began to stay with. I would go to sleep and wake and he would be there, I would go out and come back and he would come looking for us….OMG what to do? As my departing date was getting near I went through the neighborhood looking to see if he belonged to someone. No one looked for him, asked for him….nothing. I wasn’t looking for another fur baby, but I guess he was looking for a family.
As I was packing the truck the night before he stayed as if he knew what was going on. The very next morning the girls and I got onto the truck. As he watched me with those little green eyes of his, I opened the door and asked him if he wanted to come – He jumped right in the front seat and didn’t care one bit, all he cared was that he had found a family, finally a place to call home.
I always think people meet for a reason, well the same applies to animals. We never know why paths cross just that it is something meant to be. But I tell you this little dog came to me at a moment I wasn’t feeling well, I was stressed with family matters and he just let me care for him.
As the girls and I were driving back, I realized that he needed a name. Little-Man was a thought but this didn’t fit for someone who is small, feisty, sweet, caring and loving soul. He came from a farm country place so I wanted to give a name that would fit him, I threw some names out there but the one he liked was “RAILAN” Railan Russo. We drove twenty-two straight hours and he did well on the return trip. Most importantly the girls were good with him and he was a gentleman with the girls.
February 10th arrived quickly and we arrived at the Pre-Westminster fashion show in New York City, organized by Ada Nieves. Penny-Lane and Lily-Pads were modeling Kiki Hamann’s designs. Now Railan, a new member of the family got into the act. Kiki Hamann gave him a black and white blinged harness, but it wasn’t just a harness, it looked like a tuxedo shirt and amazingly it matched the girls beautiful venetian-styled gowns. For Railan’s first exposure to our crazy life, he did very well. Railan has become very good around people and other fur babies. Penny-Lane and Lily-Pads have shown him how to interact and be calm around other fur babies. He still looks for me and wants to be around me almost like a security blanket. I have had people ask me if I am looking to place him. I tell people he is not ready yet, for now he is a Little Russo.
Railan is a long hair silk terrier, approximately between 1 and 2 years of age, with a great personality. He learns quickly and wants to please. He is affectionate and loves to hang and sunbathe with Penny-Lane and Lily-Pads. He would make a great addition to any family and has brought some new life to ours.
Thank you Rose for this beautiful story. Your life-story and work on behalf of our dogs epitomizes the true mission of National Dog Week!
Welcome to my blog…to read about the National Dog Week Movement please click on ABOUT…
“My little old dog: A heart-beat at my feet.” Edith Wharton, American, 1862-1937
Today, on the cusp of another Valentine’s Day, there is something being celebrated called Quirkyalone Day. Started in 2004 by writer, Sasha Cagen, Quirkyalone Day promotes the healthy state of being alone rather than dating for the sake of being a couple. Sasha even wrote a book about it titled, Quirkyalone: A Manifesto for Uncompromising Romantics, Harper San Francisco 2001.
I mention this because although I’ve been married a respectable fifteen years this September, I did not marry until my late 30s, so this gives me a little cred when speaking of this subject. While single, I did not let it stop me from traveling to Italy alone (unlike Ms. Gilbert in eat, pray love- I got ‘er done in one country). Although these days a writing project does take me to those more mystical places, and although I may no longer be “alone” I am still quirky.
Valentine’s Day is not my favorite time of year because it is basically a “false” holiday these days…but it is great for the economy so I won’t bash it too much…and kids like it, too. There, my husband is off the hook. I thought about all this while at the Pre-Westminster Fashion Show in New York City on Friday Night, an incredible event put on by pet fashion expert, Ada Nieves. I will note here that I will hear (or have heard it) from friends and family on how is it possible I can partake in any event that puts clothes on a dog. As a reporter of sorts, my job is to present what happens in the “dog” world, and even in Will Judy’s time, back in the 1920s, this was a fashionable way to raise funds for shelter dogs (really, it’s in the book).
Recently, I contacted someone I knew a long time ago. I told him how, although we change in many ways over the years, the image of his family’s huge lovable cat remains an unchanged, happy memory for me. Pets are a great way to provide companionship in our lives when we are in an independent state, help forge memories, and even take the occasional edge off normally harmonious long-term relationships.
One of the best parts of last Friday evening was seeing so many people united by their dogs and getting to meet some Facebook friends in person. People like the lovely (and surprisingly tiny) Nikki Moustaki who is the genius behind the Petpostcard Project and is now eating dog food to bring attention to Nitro’s Law (more on this in my next post), the elegant Babette Haggerty, the renowned dog trainer and daughter of the late great Captain Arthur Haggerty, Barbara Babikian and her sweet pups, Lilly and Dusty who won honors this weekend for being Angels on Leashes to so many, and getting “pummeled” by a guy from Rescue Ink (really they are pussycats). I also enjoyed meeting famous dog fashion designer, Linda Higgins and her husband Bill, seeing Janice Wolfe and Wyatt and Lourdes Lebron win honors for their work on behalf of dog and human, and of course the lovely sight of Bocker Labradoodle and Amanda (who played Julia Robert’s niece in eat, pray, love) on the “catwalk” among others. And bless you Barbara for telling me I look much thinner in person! I am having difficulty downloading photos, so I will post more on Facebook…or try again…
Happy QA and Valentine’s Day to all…it’s all good…
These events do bring a lot of attention to the never-ending problem of pet overpopulation in our nation. Some of the dogs modeling were available for adoption and as stated before, a portion of the proceeds from the event will go to help the Sean Casey Animal Rescue fund.
renowned dog-trainer, Babette Haggerty, me, and r. Nikki Moustaki
Welcome! To learn more about my National Dog Week Project, please see ABOUT!
Don’t forget the Pup-tial event of the season, when Giorgio and Lady B. join paws on Saturday, September 12 in an event put on by Erika Friedman of Canine Celebration. Please see previous post for details…
If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater..suggest that he wear a tail. Fran Lebowitz, American, b. 1950
If this quote holds some truth, and dogs can really talk, then a lot of humans will be wagging their tails come this weekend when The Pre-Westminster Gala & Fashion Show will herald the beginning of the 2011 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Weekend. Held at the historic Hotel Pennsylvania, this event caters to the The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show’s Particiants and Attendees on the evening of Februaty 11th in the beautiful Penn-Top Ballroom overlooking New York City in all its glory.
Featuring the latest products in the market, the event, chaired by Gregg R. Oehler, recognizes the efforts of those people working to make a difference within the Dog Community. The show closes with the “Puptials” Ceremony of a Champion Show Dog as a loving symbol of our beloved companion animals and their proud parents. Come meet some of NYC’s Top Breed Group Organizers, Celebrities and Active Dog Community Members. Also, there will be National & New York media affiliates who are covering the show, attendees, and show dog people.
In November, I interviewed Ada Nieves (Archive 11/14), the event’s Fashion Director. Below Ada shares some updates on this event.
Can you tell everyone how your plans are coming along for the PWF Show? Happy to !!! This event is all about presenting the latest product in the market, supporting and recognizing members of our dog community that are the heart of all…it’s about having dog owners confirm their friendship and the love of their pets. It’s about helping local rescues….it’s about an industry that depends on the members of its community to thrive, to get strong and keep growing. It’s about passion, commitment…the need of help make this planet a better place for all!
What designers will be featured? I’m very proud to say we count with some of the top pet designers from our nation’s best! First we have the students from the Fashion Institute of Technology Certificate Class of Pet Product and Marketing Design…about ten of the best in class will feature their own products and will have them available for purchase in the show. Then we have four colleagues that I truly enjoy and whose work I admire; Roberto Negrin, Anthony Rubio, Tammy Peace and Aleyda Delgado.
Who will model? Celebrity dogs like Booboo ( Broadway’s Legally Blonde show Chihuahua ), Bocker the Labradoodle and Eli, NYC’s celebrity Chihuahua and our Top Breed meet-up organizers and the new TV reality show Doggie Moms…including a dog that will compete at Westminster who will be getting married at our event. We will definitely have a variety of the best of NYC on the runway in a three-part show that includes, vendors showcase, celebrity awards and then closing with puptials!
How long has this event been going on? Since 2006 and since its beginning, I’ve been the fashion designer…however this year we want to share the runway with my friends and show our dog community what great talent we have!
Is it for charity? Yes. Proceeds are to benefit Sean Casey Animal Rescue, http://www.nyanimalrescue.org.
Can you tell us about some of the fun things planned for dog and human? We will open with a showcase of products from sponsors and FIT students getting into the industry, guests will be able to purchase on the spot their products of choice. We will have three runway shows…at each, top dog models, members of the community and celebrities will be featured. In between each show there will be short entertainments…goodie bag give-aways, …two “indognito” judges will select the best dressed from the audience for a chance to be a guest of honor and participate at the puptials!
How many people (and dogs) usually attend? The average is 400
Tell us about your sponsors? We have as Cesar’s Way magazine and Natural Balance…and also some Gold Sponsors …see website for complete list… http://www.pre-westminsterfashionshow.com.
Thank you Ada. We wish you and your associates the best of luck with this event!
