SEPTEMBER 16, 2006
PETS & PICASSO FUNDRAISER FOR THE GREAT WEST METRO HUMANE SOCIETY (Hopkins, MN)

Tonight was a really fun appearance for a wonderful cause. The event was called "Pets & Picasso," and it was a fundraiser for the Great West Metro Humane Society ( http://www.gwmhs.org/ ). I am a HUGE animal lover myself, so this was an event I was particularly excited about. I was one of 22 "celebrity VIPs" who each walked a canine "model" down the runway in a dog fashion show with "fashions" from the pet boutique Lulu & Luigi. In addition to a cocktails & hors d'ouvres, a silent auction, a dog kissing booth, a pet psychic, & cariacature booth, the fashion show was the highlight of the evening. I had the honor of walking "Dakota", a German shepard mix who was up for adoption (her family had raised her since puppyhood and then had to move and for whatever reason, could not take her along--WHATEVER! I get so disgusted hearing things like that!!!). Anyway, by the end of the show, Dakota was starting to get antsy...let me tell you, it is not easy to handle an anxious 90 lb. dog while in a long gown and high heels! But she was a very good girl and I really enjoyed this appearance. I ran into an old friend Amy, whom I hadn't seen in years, so that was fun. My hubby Matt stayed home with our little girl, but I really wished he would have been there because that is the type of appearance he really would have enjoyed! What a fun night!

PHOTOS:
1) With Libby the poodle (a dog after my own heart--note the tiara!)
2) With Tammy Hauser (Interim Director of West Metro Humane Society)
3) With my friend Megan Ehlert (Miss Teen MN International 2006). Megan's platform is called "Tails of Independence" and she helps train service dogs for the disabled. Megan placed as 3rd RU at Miss Teen Int'l--way to go girlfriend!
4) Reassuring Dakota while on stage...what a good and patient dog she was!
5) Reuniting with my friend Amy.