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Barkfest at Bonhams | thepupdiary.com

11 Feb

Did we tell you we love this time of year when the Westminster dogs take over New York City?! One of our fave annual events each February is the Barkfest at Bonhams on Madison Avenue. What could be better than dogs, art, and biscuits? And the event also raises money for the AKC Humane Fund!

Dogs and Art!

Dogs and Art!

The brunch is a fun preview to the Dogs in Show & Field fine art sale taking place February 12. There are beautiful paintings, pins, plates, sculptures — all with a doggy theme! A John Martin Tracy painting valued at over $100,000 is one of the show stoppers! This year they had 2 showrooms with so much to look at:

Best of all they had homemade doggy biscuits and a nice goody bag. We got our own bag of Ryan’s Barkery treats and some other cool stuff.

New York Pet Fashion Show | thepupdiary.com

8 Feb

Happy 10th anniversary to the New York Pet Fashion Show! One of the hardest working doggy moms, Ada Nieves, started a small fashion show 10 years ago and it has blossomed into an annual event with over 1,000 attendees. That is an admirable accomplishment!

Our gown designed by Dawn Deisler

Our gown designed by Dawn Deisler

Each year the event raises money for a different animal rescue — this year it was the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals. We loved the extra focus on doggy adoption and rescue this year! Adoptable pups walked the runway and over 400 rescued pups sent in rescue stories to win “rescue of the year” – a new contest for the 10th anniversary. We had our money on Beau Loevner, NYC therapy dog extraordinaire, but another deserving pup won. Shotsi the terrier alerted his family when their 16-month old baby was choking. Congrats to Shotsi on her win as rescue of the year! Kudos to all of the folks who adopt dogs and help them find forever homes!

Gems of Rescue Runway Show – one of several throughout the evening. This show features adoptable dogs!:

Held at the Hotel Pennsylvania in Midtown Manhattan, the event draws a crowd from around the globe. It’s not every day we are able to attend a dog-friendly event in a hotel ballroom in NYC for $40. We saw friends from Florida, Michigan, South Carolina, Canada, Maryland, Louisiana . . . This is THE event on the dog fashion scene. Ada Nieves is one of the pioneers in doggy fashion and I bet she is proud to see where it has gone!

A benefit for the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals

A benefit for the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals

We wanted to hang out at the Frenchie’s Kitchen table all night! YUM!! Mom does not like crowds (BOL – we live in NYC) and it was way too crowded (and hot) for us. But we had to walk the runway to show some new designs.

A large part of the event was a designer runway show with a themed contest and “designer of the year” award. There were very strict rules: only certain designers could enter, the theme “crown jewels” would be judged, and NO props (strollers, carts, etc.) were allowed on stage. Sadly, the rules were not followed. We felt really bad for our designer and fashionista friends who followed the rules and did not win. We love Bella Mia, a fellow therapy dog, and she looked beautiful wearing a multi-layered gown by designer Anthony Rubio. But rules are rules . . . Really a shame because many people made gorgeous “crown jewel” outfits and they were overlooked. Hopefully this is a learning experience for the organizers. Congrats to Anthony Rubio who is the new designer of the year! And congrats to the New York Pet Fashion Show!

Our family!

Our family!

7 Westminster week moments not to miss | thepupdiary.com

4 Feb

This year the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show combines with the Masters Agility Championship to bring more than three thousand dogs to compete in New York City on February 8, 10 and 11. Spectators from around the world come to meet the breeds, tour the city, and party with pups when the city goes to the dogs!

Pawty time!

Pawty time!

WELCOME TO NYC EVENT: Hosted by Puccini and Leslie Riddle, this dog-friendly Welcome to NYC event on Thursday, February 6 will raise money for the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals. The $25 entrance fee will get you food, drinks, and lots of fun. Enjoy a fashion show and bid on great silent auction items! Held from 7 to 10 pm at Honda of Manhattan, 627 11th Avenue.

NEW YORK PET FASHION SHOW: The Hotel Pennsylvania once again plays host to the New York Pet Fashion Show on Friday, February 7 from 6 to 11 pm. Over 1,000 people and pups will gather in the ballroom for fashion shows, vendors, hors d’oeuvres, dancing, goody bags, award ceremonies and more! Well-behaved pups are welcome to attend. Tickets are $40 in advance ($50 at the door if available) and proceeds will benefit the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals.

DOGGIES AND TIARAS: The 2nd annual Doggies and Tiaras pageant will be held on Saturday, February 8 from 2 to 6 pm at Tette Club, 154 Post Avenue. Come to see 20 canines compete in glamour, active-wear, and talent. One lucky pup will be crowned king or queen for the year! Advance tickets are $30 and proceeds benefit Inky Blue Sea Rescue. Yes, pups are welcome to attend.

CELEBRITY CATWALK: Many of the events and activities during Westminster benefit animal rescues and charities. Come to Celebrity Catwalk’s brunch event on Sunday, February 9 from 11 am to 1 pm at SPOT, 145 West 20th Street. Meet other dog lovers while you enjoy tasty treats and drinks. Advance tickets are $45. Well-behaved pups are welcome to attend.

THE ART: Bonhams will host their annual Barkfest charity brunch on Sunday, February 9 from 10 am to noon benefiting the AKC Humane Fund. Advance tickets are $50. Bring your pooch and come to mingle with other art and dog lovers while you view beautiful items that will be featured in The Dogs in Show & Field fine art sale on February 12. William Secord Gallery will host a reception to celebrate the opening of John Emms on Saturday, February 8 from 2 to 6 pm.

THE SPECIALTY SHOWS AND AGILITY: There are several specialty dog shows that take place the weekend before Westminster. The Yorkies take over the Crowne Plaza Times Square with vendors, a dog show, and a fashion show. Many other breeds will be at the Hotel Pennsylvania and other area hotels. The Masters Agility Championship takes place Saturday, February 8 from 11 am to 10 pm at Pier 94 in New York City.

THE BENCHING AREA: See the competing dogs up close and personal in the benching area behind the scenes. All Westminster Dog Show attendees are welcome to tour the area and watch grooming, dog walking, and vendors. Meet dog groomers and handlers. Arrive early because this area gets very crowded. Leave your own pup at home for this.

Kissing Ray Kelly and other updates | thepupdiary.com

11 Dec

This is our absolute favorite time of year! There are just so many fun things to do, places to go, people to meet, food to eat, parties to attend, and on and on! We are so busy that mom (our secretary) does not have time to update our blog as often as she should. Hey mom, have you even done our Christmas shopping yet?! (NO!)

This past weekend we attended the Blessing of the Animals at Christ Church on Park Avenue. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and I shared a kiss! The event was hosted by Cindy Adams and helped raise money for Best Friends Animal Society.

Kissing Ray Kelly

Kissing Ray Kelly

We met with the Bergdorf Goodman Santa Claus — who may actually be the real Santa Claus! They published our photos on their blog celebrating #BGDogs about town. The BG Santa is on the 7th floor every Sunday.

We saw the Thanksgiving parade with front row seats! (From our secret spot at the very end of the parade.)

Thanksgiving Parade

Thanksgiving Parade

We toured Animal Haven Shelter with our volunteer group from A Fair Shake for Youth. We hope all of the pups find homes soon!

Pup looking for a home at Animal Haven Shelter

Pup looking for a home at Animal Haven Shelter

We helped with a fundraiser donating items to local shelters. And we attended a program with A Fair Shake for Youth where special guests Lorenzo Borghese and Bocker the Labradoodle talked about adoption and animal advocacy. Yes, we have had a very busy month!

Thanks and Giving fundraiser

Thanks and Giving fundraiser

Lorenzo Borghese talks about animal adoption

Lorenzo Borghese talks about animal adoption

Sitting with Santa at Bergdorf Goodman | thepupdiary.com

11 Dec

We love the Bergdorf Santa! Their website insists he is the “real” Santa. He sure does look like Santa and he loves doggies. Those are two good signs that he could be real!

All pups are welcome to visit with him on Sundays on the 7th floor at Bergdorf Goodman in NYC – Fifth Avenue at 58th Street. They have human treats and will give you a photo to commemorate your visit. Be sure to check out their beautiful holiday windows including all of the cute doggies.

We heard the Bloomingdale’s Santa is dog-friendly, too. We’ll let you know!

Sitting with Santa

Sitting with Santa

Sitting with Santa at Bergdorf Goodman

Sitting with Santa at Bergdorf Goodman