Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Going To The Dogs, from Coast to Coast

I’ve heard guys refer to their adorable pooches as “chick magnets” and frankly, they’re not all wrong. Personally, I can’t resist a adorable mutt (and it doesn’t hurt if the dog is cute, too… wink, wink!) Bringing your furry friend along to mix-and-mingle is a great way to ‘break the ice’ when meeting new humans, not to mention contributing proceeds for animal-rescue shelters.

Los Angeles: Overlooking the downtown skyline, SKYBARk, launched in March, offers both humans and canines a lively social environment. On June 25th, Sky Bark collaborated with Le Paws, a talent agency for canine celebrities, to create the Woofers Ball. Limos, red carpets, live entertainment, and paparazzi greeted guests, who were taped for a reality show on Lifetime TV. Proceeds were donated to Animal Avengers, an animal rescue started by actress Shannon Elizabeth. www.animalavengers.com.
SkyBark, 1026 S. Santa Fe Ave, Penthouse, 90021. (Expanding to Boston in August
and Las Vegas in September, 2006) www.skybark.com

Washington, DC: Helix Lounge, recently named one of the “best bars across the country” by InStyle Magazine, hosts the Dog Days of Summer Happy Hour every Wednesday throughout the summer, from 5-8 pm. Offering specialty cocktails (such as Pet Peeve, Pooch Hooch and Tail Ale) and appetizers from their Bark Bites menu. In addition, Doggie Style, DC’s premiere pooch emporium creates dog biscuits for the event. The pet-friendly parties benefit the Washington Humane Society. (for more about the Washington Humane Society, see below!)
Helix Lounge 1430 Rhode Island Ave, NW, (202) 462-9001;www.helixlounge.com



The Washington Humane Society currently operates two shelters, a private shelter at 7319 Georgia Avenue, NW, and the D.C. Animal Shelter at 1201 New York Avenue, NE. These are the ONLY shelters in Washington where no animal is ever turned away. They handle approximately 12,000 animals a year, about 95% of all the homeless, abandoned, and abused animals in the District of Columbia.

Each week, the Washington Humane Society will bring an adoptable shelter dog to Helix Lounge for a fun break from life in the shelter and to meet potential adopters. Proceeds from drink sales and a weekly raffle item (supplied by the Hotel Helix) will benefit the work of the Washington Humane Society.

Scooter (pictured above) a 5-month mixed beagle puppy, had the time of his life meeting other dogs and sampling the abundant dog treats. He was turned in to the shelter because his person got tired of caring for a puppy. Happily, Scooter met someone at the party who was willing to take on this responsibility, and will return to the happy hour with his new owner! www.washhumane.org

photos courtesy of: www.carish1.com

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