Pet Project: ‘Four-Legged Furry Cowpokes’ Hit the Catwalk for a Cause

Pet Project: ‘Four-Legged Furry Cowpokes’ Hit the Catwalk for a Cause

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

People + Places
Fall Philanthropy Report: Children’s Assessment Center Touts ‘Healing’ for Child Abuse Victims

What is your mission? The Children’s Assessment Center (The CAC) provides healing services to over 6,300 child sexual abuse victims and their families each year. We offer forensic interviewing, family advocacy, mental health services, medical care, and court services at no cost. We facilitate community outreach and prevention training to raise awareness about child abuse in our community and how to keep children safe. Last year, we provided prevention training to over 35,000 community members, including 23,500 children in schools.

Keep Reading Show less

What is your mission? Launched in 2006, Kids’ Meals’ mission is to end childhood hunger in Houston by delivering free, healthy meals year-round to the doorsteps of Houston’s hungriest preschool-aged children and through collaboration, provide their families with resources to end the cycle of poverty.

Keep Reading Show less

What year was your organization launched? 1986 by a small group of committee community members that believed special needs children were not receiving basic life services.

Keep Reading Show less