Deborah Duncan, Nadia Tajalli, Susan Boggio
A DOGGONE GOODTIME — and purr-fectly lovely afternoon — was had by all pet lovers at the 11th annual Wags and Whiskers Brunch, benefiting Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston’s Animeals program.
The sold-out event at the Hotel ZaZa in the Museum District, a fashion show of sorts produced by Todd Ramos, raised more than $113,000 “to provide pet food, toys and preventative vet care supplies to over 1,300 pets of homebound seniors,” said a rep for the nonprofit. Supporters of the cause and their pets — duded up in Western theme, nodding to the “Bow Wow West” motif — took to the runway.
“Walking the catwalk for Interfaith Ministries were Roger Applewhite and Keyser Soze, Ivonne Camarena and Don Cheto the cat, Beth Clark and Yeti, Freddy Cruz and Sparrow, Louise Goldberg and Rosie, Karen Jankowsi and Bella Donahue, Kian Tavackoli and Moose, and Beth Wolff and Dandy,” said the rep. Media-personality judges, including the Houston Chronicle’s Joy Sewing and TV host Deborah Duncan, awarded Bella, Rosie and Moose took first, second and third place respectively.
Co-Chair for the ever were Shirin and Saied Alavi and the doctors Vasant Garg and Kim Tran. “Emcee Casey Curry welcomed guests and four-legged furry cowpokes to a rootin’ tootin’ fun and inspiring program,” the Ministries rep gushed. CEO Martin Cominsky and board chair Kathy C. Flanagan were also on hand.
Guests enjoyed a delicious cool-weather menu that began with a sort of roasted cauliflower potpie, follow by herbed chicken, turmeric rice and balsamic Brussel sprouts. Tres leches cake and strawberry shortcake for dessert!
VIPs in the crowd included Cynthia Wolff, Cheryl Byington, Connie Kwan-Wong, Gregg Harrison and Barbara Van Postman.
Beth Wolff and Dandy
Rev. Dr. Tamla Wilson, Dr. Kathy Flanagan, Joy Sewing
Ivonne Camareno and Don Cheto
Dr. Vasant Garg, Shirin Alavi, Saied Alavi
Karen and Jay Harberg
Louise Goldberg and Rosie
Nadia Tajalli, Martin B. Cominsky, Rev. Dr. Tamla Wilson, Dr. Kathy Flanagan
Todd Ramos and Deborah Duncan
Beth Clark and Yeti
Isabel Leonard (photo by Michael Thomas)
Leonard in rehearsal (photo by Michael Bishop)