Despite blizzard warnings, the Hotel Pennsylvania in Manhattan was full for the Animal Haven fundraising New York Pet Fashion Show, which saw the K9s dressed to the nines. The theme was The Roaring 20’s, and it was a celebration of true love between humans and their best-dressed beasties. The sparkly evening began with a high voltage red carpet welcome and a seemingly endless stream of decked out dogs accompanied by dolled up moms and dads. Inside, across from the runway, was a vendor-packed extravaganza of products for pooches and pooch parents. Fundle, the pet sling carrier was there alongside Andy Warhol inspired paintings by Wendy DuBoff of ChloesGift.com. Jeanie Julius Designs displayed designer dog hat wear and the rooms were adorned with Floral Sculptures of dogs. Hot diggety, it was doggone fun. [To view accompanying photos go to Petside.com]
Terry St. Angelo and Aspen
Terry St. Angelo kvells over her little Aspen as they prance down the rip-roaring red carpet. The duo strutted their stuff all the way from South Beach, Florida. Terry said, “I live to make Aspen happy and have fun.” Aspen is a Chihuahua who was born in Denver eight years ago. “She was raised as a mountain girl in the Rockies,” said Terry. After that it was on to South Beach where she became a bathing beauty and successful costume contestant holding a number of titles. Her mom Terry works in cosmetic sales and she lives to come home to her little fur darling.
Anthony Rubio Shows Off Bogie and Kimba
Award-winning pet fashion courier, Anthony Rubio, shows off his pups Bogie and Kimba. He is on the boards of numerous animal charities. Anthony has been on a long list of TV shows including multiple segments on NBC, CNN and CBS. Anthony’s couture fashions were part of the record-breaking, “World’s Most Expensive Dog Wedding” ($250,000!), which saw Animal Fair Magazine owner and animal rights activist Wendy Diamond marry off her rescue pup Baby Hope to Chilly. Anthony and his pooches have been all over the papers raising awareness about animals in need.
Beefy the Skateboarding Bulldog
Beefy the Bulldog is a New York City model who has been entertaining peeps since he was a baby bull. Beefy has appeared on the Dr. Oz show, modeled in Jimmy Choo ads and is now part of the cast of the CBS hit show, “Dogs in the City.” His American made seven-ply maple wood skateboard, “Beefy Deck,” is now available at Blue Sky Longboards for $65.
Mr. America the Leonberger
Mr. America has starred in two seasons of Broadway’s “Annie.” The two-year old Leonberger is also the spokesdog for Matchpuppy.com and his star glittered in a music video for the band Real Estate. Mr. America has also appeared on the centerfold of “Grazia” magazine. In addition to charming everyone at this Tropicana-sponsored Fashion Show on Friday, he rocked at Saturday night’s Doggies and Tiaras Pageant. Mr America is a certified Therapy dog and visits nursing homes. He lives on Long Island with his Mastiff brothers and mom, Morgan Williams, who makes makes it her business to attend numerous fundraisers for rescue organizations and shelters. Oh wait, there’s more! Mr. America is also an AKC conformation dog and is getting ready for next year’s Westminster show.
La Maison Vienna Couture Canine
Canadians Colin and Mario Laliberte opened their biz, La Maison Vienna Couture Canine, one year ago. Vienna is their miniature Dachshund, two, and Mia is a Hairless Chinese Crested puppy of nine months. “Our dogs are the center of our lives,” said Mario. “I work full time in our dog design business and we get involved with charities and work toward pet awareness in Quebec.” Colin, who has been knitting and crocheting since age 10, said, “Mario has sewn for years so, for us, creating clothes on a professional level now makes great sense.”
Eli the Celebrity Chihuahua Dressed for the Occasion
Eli the Celebrity Chihuahua spent the evening strutting in his tux custom made by Roberto Negrin’s Hec-lin Couture for Dogs. Eli gained great fame by winning a contest that landed him on the box of Milk Bone biscuits. He captivated crowds when he dressed as Pope Benedict XVI for a Times Square Dog Day Masquerade event. Eli is the lucky rescue dog owned by Karen Biehl, who says Eli rescued her too.
Richard Pryor Jr., Karen Biehl and Eli, the Chihuahua Model
Animal advocate and musician Richard Pryor Jr., the son of comedian Richard Pryor, had fun beside the hamming-it-up actress Karen Biehl and her famous Chihuahua named Eli. Karen’s celebrity dog is one of the top Chihuahua models in the world. Eli regularly appears with his mom on the television show Doggie Moms.
Tasha Bella Godwin, a Model for TV and Film
Tasha Bella Godwin is a sought after New York City actress and member of the Dog Actors Guild. She also models and lands gigs in TV commercials and movies. Tasha is a Manhattanite. A prominent girl around town, she dines in the finest restaurants and attends Doga classes. Tasha Bella is happily engaged to New York’s top dog, the Havanese socialite, Cuba.
Olga Zabelinskaya, Owner of Elite Pet Spa & Boutique
Award-winning dog stylist Olga Zabelinskaya shows off her darling petite pooch, Gucci. Olga is also the proud owner of Elite Pet Spa & Boutique in Madison, New Jersey, where your dog can be pampered with a mud wrap, aqua massage and facial scrub. Olga has prepped dogs for the Westminster Kennel Club and Eukanuba dog shows, and she holds the high honor of “Dog Groomer of the Year” from SuperZoo.
Roni Goldberg, Mom to a Yorkie Named “Butterfly Kisses”
Roni Goldberg, a canine hat maker from Florida, braved the windy weather and schlepped all the way here from sunny Fort Lauderdale accompanied by her dolled up Yorkshire Terrier, “Butterfly Kisses.”
Article written for NBC Petside
Article written for NBC Petside