A Magical Night Fetches $300K for No-Kill Shelter — and You Have to Hear Burrito the Dog’s Moving Story

A Magical Night Fetches $300K for No-Kill Shelter — and You Have to Hear Burrito the Dog’s Moving Story

Kay Hays, Matt and Katy Weintritt, and Dr. Carolyn Levy

MAGIC WAS IN the air at the Four Seasons hotel Downtown, where Friends for Life hosted its annual fundraiser. The 300-plus guests were greeted not only by a pack of adoptable pups, but also by Caesar the Magician, who entertained the crowd before the seated dinner.


Raising $300,000 for the no-kill shelter, the evening featured an elaborate, three-course vegan meal by Four Seasons exec chef Paul Peddle including a surprising vegan take on beef wellington. Animal lovers also sipped cocktails named after adoptable pets from Friends for Life, such as the Pimm’s Cup and the Lulu Lemon.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the ballroom as a video played telling the story of five-year-old dog Burrito, who six months ago was found abandoned in an apartment in Indiana. The team drove to get Burrito and discovered he was too overweight to even walk. Nursed back to health in Houston, the lights came on in the ballroom and Burrito ran in to shower Friends for Life founder Salise Shuttlesworth with slobbery kisses. (And he’s still looking for a home!)

Located in the Heights, Friends For Life’s mission is to provide medical care, behavior training, food, and safe havens for animals in need.

Sherry Waddell and adoptable dog MoMo

Bonnie Babola and Robert Fisher

Crystal Hernandez and adoptable puppy Peanut

Robin Humphrey and Joe Radzwill

Geoff Marolda, Jennifer Boyd, Payal Thakker, Ashley Lupica, Amanda Jacobs, Sheena Kelly

Burrito's Story

Many of you have been following Burrito’s story. We put his journey in a single video for our gala. If you missed the event, please know that Burrito deligh...

Parties

St. John Vianney Catholic Church (photo by Geoffrey Lyon)

TOMORROW, AT WEST Houston’s beautiful St. John Vianney Catholic Church, the Energy Corridor of Houston Orchestra (ECHO) kicks off its 10th season with Music of Faith, a celebration of music from Jewish, Muslim and Christian traditions, featuring internationally-known Klezmer violinist, Steven Greenman.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

Mei-Ann Chen, flautist Brook Ferguson, oboist Alecia Lawyer, and bassoonist Kristin Wolfe Jensen

THIS FRIDAY, OCT. 20, the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra’s adventurous 19th season continues its theme of “making waves” with “Rise Up” — a program of two brand new chamber music works, both world premiere commissions by ROCO, and each inspired by the ongoing fight across the planet for women’s rights and equality. The concert takes place at the Asia Society Texas Center. Located in Houston's Museum District and designed by Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi, the center opened to the public in 2012, and is an especially exciting venue for art exhibitions and the performing arts.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment