Have a horse-crazy hot date you want to woo? A feline-fanatic friend you want to wow? A mom who swoons for The Humane Society of the United States hottie president Wayne Pacelle? (It is hard to say that name without fanning oneself.)
Then make this coming Saturday, March 28, a night they’ll never forget. For the celebrity hound who is also a hound lover, bird buddy, porpoise pal, or any other kind of animal aficionado, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) Genesis Awards is a unique treat.
The gala gathering held annually at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills "pays tribute to the major news and entertainment media for producing outstanding works… which raise public understanding of animal issues,” according to The HSUS’s Web site.
What this translates to is dozens of celebs turning out to lend their support and to be gawked at (politely) by anyone who buys a ticket to the show.
This year the event is dedicated to ending the Canadian seal hunt. The joint recipients of the 2009 Gretchen Wyler Award, named for the Genesis Awards founder and “given to a celebrity or public figure who has made news on behalf of animals,” are Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi.
Tickets start at $350 per person. If that seems steep, keep in mind that proceeds assist in The HSUS’s mission to protect and improve the lives of animals everywhere. The Beverly Hilton offers reduced room rates for Awards attendees.
Consider, too, the palatial setting of the Beverly Hilton ballroom, the inventive gourmet vegan meal, the stellar awards presentations, the silent auction, the rocking after-party with entertainment, dancing, and hors d’oeuvres, and of course a night of stargazing, up close and personal.
A HSUS media release lists the following luminaries as expected to attend: “Gabrielle Anwar (Burn Notice), Nigel Barker (America's Next Top Model), Jarrod Cooper (Oakland Raiders), James Cromwell (24), Emily Deschanel (Bones), Susie and Corey Feldman, Jorja Fox (CSI), Matt Grant (Bachelor), Marg Helgenberger (CSI), Carrie Ann Inaba (Dancing with the Stars), Claudia Jordan (Deal or No Deal), Wendie Malick (Confessions of a Shopaholic), Joe Mantegna (Criminal Minds), Heather Mills, Esai Morales (Jericho), Jillian Reynolds (Good Day LA), Dominic Scott Kay (Snow Buddies), Debra Skelton (Mad TV), Ben Stein, Kirsten Vangness (Criminal Minds), Michael Vartan (Alias), Persia White (Girlfriends), Marley the dog (Marley and Me), and many more to be announced.”
Then there’s that aforementioned HSUS hottie prez. I’m trying to get a photo of him to post in the coming days. When I do, you’ll see what I mean. Ladies, keep the smelling salts handy.
A lifelong dog addict and rescuer, Katerina (a.k.a. Kathryn Makris) wrote Your Adopted Dog: Everything You Need to Know about Rescuing and Caring for a Best Friend in Need (The Lyons Press, 2007) with coauthor Shelley Frost. Katerina's other credits include seventeen novels, numerous newspaper and magazine articles, and a CBS teleplay.
Email Katerina at youradopteddog@yahoo.com, and visit her and Shelley at http://www.youradopteddog.com/
