They braved the cold and rain, but the thousands that turned out for the annual Tompkins Square Park Dog Parade participated in one of the most original Halloween pet events in the country. Now in its 26th year, the parade has become the must-see-and-be-seen Halloween showcases, where dog parents go all out to create some of the most creative costumes ever.
This year, inspiration came from all over. I thought I’d see more politically-themed costumes. Perhaps eschewing what has bombarded the senses week in and out of late, was the much-needed escape parade goers needed to celebrate in style.
Color and sparkle ruled, with everything from satisfying our sweet tooth to channeling the aliens; from the fantasy of Harry’s Hogwarts to Hamilton, and the head banging of heavy metal’s KISS. Zombies, Star Wars and whimsical were all represented. Even a neon pink chicken named Lady Gaga, who some might remember from my story on the New York Pet Fashion Show earlier this year, made an appearance as a mermaid. Chicken of the Sea, owner Sharon Folkes called her. And, I thought I’d seen it all…
Live From The Red Carpet host/Fashion Police fashionista, Guiliana Rancic, co-hosted the event for the first time this year and did a great job. I caught up with her as she held two of the tiniest and cutest Chihuahuas – Tansy and Cora of @thelilgremlins. We had to tawk! “You know, I love a good red carpet, I love fashion and I love dogs, so it’s the perfect combination of all those things,” she quipped when I asked what she was bringing to the role. Rancic and her husband, Bill, are big animal lovers, and Guiliana grew up with Poodles and Pomeranians. And, she and Bill are planning on getting their four-year-old son, Duke, a dog. “He’s been asking for one, but we want to find the right time, when we’re not traveling a lot and the schedule looks good,” she explained. “We want to be able to make sure it’s the right time to add another member to our family.”
Ada Nieves, the other co-host of the parade, is a force of nature. She explained to me how hundreds of dogs were going to strut that stage, each wanting to take home the title of Best in Show. What’s the most fun for Ada, who is a gifted and prolific pet fashion designer herself and is the Creative Director of the New York Pet Fashion Show? The dogs, of course! “Seeing the people and their dogs – I’m such an animal lover, it’s just so great I get to see and pet all of them, and I don’t have to take them home!,” she laughed. Ada has six dogs and one cat. “Well, I should say, they have me!,” she exclaimed.
Top honors went to two ladies and their precious pups. Diana Lucci and Lynn Consovoy created The Sweet Shop, a brightly-colored, old-fashioned candy store on wheels. But instead of the kind of candy that gives you the sugar blues, these delicious nibbles make people happy. Little Guippetto was dressed as a Cotton Candy puff, Giana sparkled in foil as the chocolate kiss and Baxter (@baxtersbuddies), who with mom, Lynn, won Best in Show at this year’s New York Pet Fashion Show, was dressed as candy dots. “We just wanted something colorful and fun,” Lucci exclaimed, when I asked what inspired them to create such an elaborate costume.
One of my faves was Queen Elizabeth and her Corgi’s, but creator Sylvia Lim didn’t round up a bunch of real Corgi’s. Paying tribute to the Queen and her own dogs (she’d lost one of her Corgi’s a couple of weeks ago), Sylvia’s own Harry (@harrycorgi) was flanked by paper mache likenesses of the Queen’s Monte and Willow, both secured on doggy wheels. Her eight-year-old son, Ben, played a very convincing Royal Guard, taking the cue to stay focused on his job and not speak to anyone (I know, I tried! :-)).
photo courtesy of Amy Cox.
Another favorite and a ribbon winner of the competition came from annual crowd-pleasers Amy and Danny Cox, all the way from Texas. The big winner last year, this year Amy beamed down a complete alien encounter, including a spaceship and a pod, where her four cutie pie Chihuahuas resided. Amy and the pups’ costumes were very colorful and creative, and Danny and even Amy’s mom, all joined in the fun. Knowing her the way I do, Amy spent months preparing for this show and does it all herself. She is an extraordinary person who has devoted her life to animal rescue, along with Danny, who is a veterinarian. Good people.
Super heroes made the showing we knew they would, as did villains; I saw several supermen, batmen and batgirls, vampire bats like our friend, Mitsu (@mitsuthemiki) and even a young Harley Quinn with her Joker pup, Frieda.
And, celebupups like Chloe Kardoggian (@chloekardoggian), Chloe the Mini Frenchie (@chloetheminifrenchie), Brussels Sprout (@brussels.sprout) and more were out in force, with adorable senior Chihuahua, Chloe Kardoggian, offering sweet kisses from her own Kissing Booth. “I love seeing how creative New Yorkers are this time of year,” Chloe’s mom, Dorie Herman, shared. “People might remember we did a Kissing Booth to raise money for Fospice Dogs when we reached 100,000 followers. We decided to re-use that just because she loves being in this little box so much, and its a perfect way for her to keep warm. She’s happy to give and receive kisses and just enjoy everybody out here this year.” Chloe was asked to partner with Purina Beggin’ treats this year.
Summer Strand (@angel_song_chihuahua), as Cora Steele brought some serious Chi Power today, sending a message of fitness with a bit of sparkle to the masses with her Chihuahua, Amazing Grace. As a fitness instructor, Strand created the Cora Steele persona (read the play on words), with a client and thought it would be fun to recreate for the parade. And, when I told her I was sorry she was freezing her tush off but that she looked amazing, she laughed, and said, “Hashtag, worth it!” Love her!
My friend Nina Rappaport and her Havanese, Holly Go Lightly (@hollyhappyhavanese), made an appearance with Holly dressed as her namesake – sophisticated and very chic. Wearing a classic black tee, chunky pearls and a shopping bag from Tiffany’s, she was the perfect, classy New York dog (who had her eye on those Beggin’ treats. Ha!).
Hannah Stampleman brought her pups, Simba and Pippin (@mightylittlelion), and Lady Marmalade (@lady.marmalade.nyc) rolled in on the Dogwarts Express as Hairy Potter, Ron Woofsly and Hermione Grawrger. So cute! I’m told our furiend, Elly, of @EloiseCloset, showed up and jumped into the wagon, but we missed the little cutie.
It took Theresa three months to make the tiny, intricate costumes for her four Chihuahuas, known as Chi Yum Yum (@chiyumyum), to dress as the members of KISS. From the little platform boots to the head gear, replicating the face paint of Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, she nailed it and was a standout at the parade.
I met up with Joe Serpico (@joeserpico), the 17-year-old animal advocate and rescuer, and his adorable 5-year-old Morkie rescue, Jasmine. Joe’s mission, through his Instagram account and rescue work, is to change people mind’s about breeds that are misunderstood and to encourage animal adoption. “Pitbulls are great dogs; they make great companions. They were known as Nanny Dogs, and when I was younger, I had a Pitbull and completely loved her. When I saw the news portraying them as bad when I got older, I was like, no, they’re not. Ever since then, I’ve been advocating for them and using my social media platform to do it.” What a wonderful, cool kid.
The toughest job was had by judges Marisa Fox-Bevilacqua of Hearst Magazines, Andrew Newman of the New York Times, Audrey Carrangelo of Scholastic, Celia Kutcher of Heritage Radio and Lee Harrington of The Bark.
But, a fun time was had at the Tompkins Square Dog Parade this year and it was a testament to how creative dog parents can be. Looking forward to doing it all again, next year. Over and out.
With a trusted interpreter by his side, Marc Ching steels himself as they enter another slaughterhouse in China. He’s posing as an American dog meat buyer, interested in large quantities of dogs he wants to kill himself. Although he’s now taken eight trips to various dog meat eating countries in Asia, the sight that assaults his senses when he enters, never ceases to terrify.
To save a precious few of these dogs from the meat trade, he asks for a sample. The slaughterhouse manager hands a few over for Ching to take away. Those, if they’re not already too far gone from the brutal torture inflicted upon them, are the lucky ones. They’ll get a second chance at life.
It’s heartbreaking to see what happens to these dogs, and it gives me pause to write about it. No one wants to read about these extreme cruelties. No one wants to see the vile pictures. But, Marc Ching is a hero. He would hate that I call him that. He sees himself in much simpler terms as someone who just loves and wants to rescue dogs treated cruelly; to give voice to these voiceless. He’s broken emotionally from all he’s seen. He’s been thrust into the spotlight, he’s marched into Congress to bring to light what he’s seen, but he’s been living in darkness.
30 million dogs are brutally slaughtered each year in Asia. The only way to stop it is to keep exposing it to the world that cares about animals, how they’re treated and what happens to them. This is why I’m writing this post.
So, please read this and learn the truth. I’m leaving out the most gruesome of the pictures Marc sent me. I cry as I write this and each time I see Marc’s posts. I’m not a masochist, but I want my eyes to be open and I want to help. This is one way I can do that, by learning and then writing about it. You can help by knowing the truth, spreading the word and supporting House Resolution 752, sponsored by Rep. Alcee L. Hastings, to end the Yulin Festival and the dog meat trade in general in China. Please share about this and learn more at the end of this post.
Who is Marc Ching?
Marc is a soft-spoken, kind man who loves animals. He’s a holistic nutritionist by trade, who began his career consulting for people and now, predominantly, works with animals. His LA-based wellness center is called The PetStaurant. “I run 24-hour free consults and treatment plans for dogs and cats to help them stay healthy, but also to manage diseases and, in some cases, cure ailments,” Ching explained. The space is filled, floor to ceiling, with herbal and homeopathic remedies and holistic food and treat brands.
Baby Hope, one of Marc’s first saves, who went on to have a wonderful life in California with her adoptive family
Ching realized in 2011 that he could use his knowledge to help severely abused dogs in and around LA, and out of that, grew The Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation, a non-profit that sees its share of gruesome cases. “These are, basically, dogs who wouldn’t survive without us,” Marc describes. “We get dogs who’ve been badly beaten, who’ve had their mouths stapled shut; terrible cruelties.”
But 18 months ago, something he saw on social media changed his life. “I saw pictures of dogs from the Yulin Festival, and couldn’t believe something like this really existed,” Ching explained. “I thought at first that it was fabricated by the media. So, having never been out of the country, I got a visa, took my backpack and got on a plane to China to see for myself if it was as bad as it sounded. It was worse.”
And so began a year-long descent into darkness; eight trips to Asia, undercover operations into slaughterhouses and dog farms and a rescue mission so intense and dangerous, he has many times put his own life in danger. What Marc has seen is unspeakable, but he attempts to communicate the horror and its effect on the soul in his Instagram and Facebook postings. That’s how I learned about him and his work. I met him on a recent trip to L.A. and I interviewed him for the blog and radio show.
Where does the dog meat trade exist & how prevalent is it?
Many of us have seen the disturbing pictures of dogs packed into wire cages like sardines in a can; those uncomprehending eyes searching for some clue as to what is happening to them. And, while most of the younger generation eschew dog meat and the market is declining, there are still enough that partake, and millions of dogs are rounded up, tortured and killed each year.
China, Thailand, South Korea, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos; there are several countries exacting sadistic torture on dogs, tied to a belief that the more terrified and in pain the animal is, the more adrenaline is released, the tenderer the meat and the greater the health benefits.
Hero, being rescued by Marc
During annual events like the Yulin Festival, which takes place each June in the Guangxi province in China, no dog is spared. Ten thousand dogs, some pets still wearing their collars when they arrive at the slaughterhouse, are stolen out of backyards and strays are grabbed by the necks and thrown into large trucks. When they arrive at the slaughterhouse, they are tortured – dismembered, burned alive, electrocuted, crucified and nail gunned into walls, where they are kept alive to endure intolerable pain for sometimes up to 40 hours.
Hero at the vet. She was tortured; her paws were chopped off. She couldn’t be saved.
Going to Washington, D.C.
Photo credit: Phyllis Strauss Mandelbaum
While the Chinese government, as well as some of the other countries involved, do have laws prohibiting the stealing of private property, of which dogs fall under the category, sadly, those laws are not enforced and the government either denies what’s taking place, turns a blind eye or both.
Because several countries participate in this extraordinarily cruelty and the objective is to, if not end the practice of eating dogs altogether, certainly to end the torture of them, Marc and his right hand person, Valerie Iannoello, have reached out to the U.S. government and the entertainment industry to garner support in pressuring these countries to change. With all of the footage Marc shot while going undercover in Asia, he has all of the ammunition he needs to show exactly what is taking place.
And, that’s exactly what he did, albeit with trepidation, when he stood before Congress on September 14th of this year, to lay bare what he’s witnessed. Ching, Iannoello, on behalf of Animal Health and Wellness, Lisa Vanderpump and Dr. John Sessa on behalf of the Vanderpump Dog Foundation, and a small group of other activist organizations doing work in Asia to bring an end to the dog meat trade gathered in support of Representative Alcee Hastings Proposition 752 to end the Yulin Festival and the dog meat trade in China.
Valerie Iannoello (holding a victim of the dog meat trade, who’d lost her feet) and Marc during the Congressional hearing.
When Marc’s video played, you could hear people in the audience gasping and crying out. Marc cried, as he often does when speaking about what he’s seen. These are things no human being should ever have to see and no living being should ever have to endure.
“When I first started this, it was all about single animal rescue; to save an animal from the horrible situation it was in,” Marc explained. “But really, saving individual animals, while it is satisfying and helps that animal, it doesn’t do much to end the bigger picture torture. As I starting going undercover, my feelings changed. Now, we’ve focusing on the government and I go undercover to document, to show the government what is happening so they can stop this thing. I say, ‘We’re human beings, we’re better than this.'”
Inciting action on behalf of governments, doing what they can to change the culture and growing this movement will elicit more long term change. Marc has amassed over 120,000 Instagram followers and 125,000 Facebook fans who champion what he’s doing, follow his journey and share his message.
Hollywood comes out to support
The entertainment industry rallied around the cause and, in less than a week prior to Yulin last June, they came together to make this video urging the dog meat trade to stop. It’s altruistic and, hopefully, the governments in those countries will take notice. But, it’s also business to them, so it’s about finding them another way to make a living that doesn’t involve cruelty. Check this out:
Hope for the future and survivor stories
With all of the assault on the senses pain surrounding this issue, there is hope, too. More and more people are now aware of this issue. There is a growing movement here and abroad to end this cruelty. Many Asian youth are embarrassed by what some of their elders and fellow countrymen are doing. People are speaking out. And, organizations like Humane Society International (HSI) and outspoken celebrities, like Ricky Gervais and “Real Housewife” Lisa Vanderpump have made significant noise to help spread the word. You can add your voice to the movement.
Ching, with Ken Todd and Lisa Vanderpump, both also active in ending the dog meat trade in Asia. photo credit: Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images
Marc has shared his stories and footage of dog farms he’s bulldozed, after convincing the owner to get into another business, one Marc helps fund himself. One such dog farm owner is now opening a vegan noodle shop. How amazing is that. Marc has said that some of these people are relieved to end what they’ve been doing; that they have a hard time living with the pain and cruelty they inflict. But, unfortunately, not all feel that way. For some, it’s a cultural insensitivity, where he’s see children as young as six years old, torturing a dog in the street, with adults laughing in the background. The changing of a culture takes time, and it usually begins with young people, old enough to have their own ideas and beliefs and young enough not to be tainted by those of their parents. That is happening. Hear more from Marc on these experiences in my radio interview; link below.
There are dogs who have been saved. Several organizations, and more all the while, are pulling dogs from the meat trade. Marc rescued over 1,000 dogs after Yulin last June. To give those who survive the chance at a good life is priceless. And, getting them out and to safety is no small feat.
Ching had to learn fast and it was a mighty dangerous process. On that first trip back in September, 2015, “…it was a scouting mission in Beijing, China, to find out if I could even do what I’m doing now,” Ching explained. “I tried to go to this slaughterhouse and I actually was held hostage. So, it didn’t go well.” He still saved 57 dogs that trip.
Example of Marc’s outreach, prior to a trip.
He created relationships with guides, interpreters, local rescue organizations who built shelters and took in dogs, veterinarians who would see these critical cases, many of whom either never make it to the vet or die once there. He had to find help placing most of these animals in good homes, either with U.S. or Canadian expats or locals who love their dogs like we do. And, he had to arrange transport for some, all the way to Los Angeles, where he and his small team of trained volunteers, rehabilitate them and then find loving homes. Some of these dogs need prosthetics; their feet, viewed as a delicacy, have been cut off with a machete. Some are so emotionally disturbed that they never fully heal.
Marc has done most of this out of his own pocket. The Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization and, in order to continue do this work, will need funds to be sustainable. If you love animals, know that any monies you donate will go to such an amazing cause.
What follows are some of the dogs who’ve recently arrived in L.A. from Asia for a second chance at life. Those available for adoption below and others who are available are at the Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation. The link for each dog takes you to the Adoption Page of all dogs available at The Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation.
Marc said that Glory, mouth wired shut, feet bound, beaten and bleeding, called out for him. He saved her and she’s in L.A., and ready for a forever home. For more information on Glory.
Glory
Honey was rescued from a dog farm in Korea, heading for slaughter. She is still very traumatized and hasn’t learned to trust humans yet. She landed in Los Angeles and is up for adoption. For more info on Honey.
Honey
Victim Adopt Program
Marc with a Victim Adopt Program survivor and Dot.
With those dogs who are so emotionally shattered from what they’ve experienced, Marc had a brilliant idea. He created this amazing arm of his organization that has brought strength and joy to some of these extreme cases. His Victim Adopt Program pairs severely abused dogs with people who’ve experienced extreme trauma. The dogs and humans help each other heal. On his site, a victim of assault tells, in her own eloquent words, what Marc’s program has meant to her and in her life:
“I was assaulted, thrown to the ground, robbed at gun point, and after they took everything from me – one of them came back and lifted the barrel of a gun to my face. Bam. Bam. Bam. The sound of the trigger. The sound of death coming for me, everyday I live in fear because I do not know how to face both my past and the world. I do not know how to move forward.
“In the end, the gun turned out to discharge BB pellets. But at point blank range, the wounds left on my face have damaged my skin permanently. Every time I look at myself I see that terror. Every time I look at the scars left upon my face, I relive that moment. That instant in where I was trapped someplace. That instance in where my soul had been severed from me….
“Marc brought Dot to see me. A dog who is both a victim of abuse and someone who still has not let go. Marc told me that dogs who suffer the same thing, that they do not forget. That they travel through life with these eternal wounds cut open. That they too are broken…
“When my hand touched her body, all the hate within me, all the fear, all that mental anguish and suffering that I had to endure – I cried tears that I had been too afraid to cry. I cried poems that I had written and stories I could not speak…I am not a victim. I am an Animal Hope and Wellness miracle. I am the truth and proof behind the fact that dogs can rescue humans. Today – life spared me…
“When he left, I knew a part of my suffering helped to heal something broken within him. He left behind the story of a dog who came to save me. When he left…he took my misery.”
Marc’s program has helped between 40 – 50 people and animals, thusfar.
Dot and her mom.
What now?
Marc’s daughter, Krysten, with one of the survivor dogs.
Marc often talks of his children, his son, Brendon, and his daughter, Krysten. They are who he is doing this for, for whom he wants there to be a better world. Their purity and innocence, very much like the dogs he saves, is what he wants so desperately to preserve. In one Instagram post on Brendon’s birthday, Marc wrote: “You are everything to me. My legacy. My blood. Why I am who I am. Why I still believe in humanity. You know how to heal me.”
There is so much work to do, and Marc and Valerie are already very busy preparing for Yulin 2017. “Everything, including Yulin, is an evolution,” Ching said. “To have a festival where you celebrate the torture of an animal; how ludicrous, how could this exist? This will come to an end, one day. But, to promote change, to push it, we have to change. Next year, we have to be better than we were this year. ”
Toward that end, they are working on a massive microchipping program, the goal of which is to chip 100,000 dogs, so they can be identified with scanners as having owners and, therefore, be deemed private property. It is illegal in China to steal someone’s private property.
They are working on border patrol and city entry check points where dogs can be scanned. And, they are marshaling forces to have a large enough team to make even more of a difference at Yulin next year.
Could I do what Marc Ching does? No. I don’t have the where with all to withstand seeing what he sees. He would probably say he doesn’t either, but he knows what he knows, and can’t turn away now. But, I’m so grateful Marc is doing this, and I see the price he’s paying for it; his entire life and family turned upside down with the grief he experiences every day. Marc deserves to be heard. Each of those dogs who’ve violently lost their lives deserve to be heard.
Like with our own babies, human and animal, we are their voice.
Are you outraged? How can you help?
Learn more about Marc and his mission in his own, very powerful words in my radio interview.
Is your dog a superhero? If you answered yes, they’ll be ready for Halloween this year, when the most popular costumes, by far, are just that. Supergirl and Harley Quinn, the DC Comics’ super villain, are tops for human kids, but we model after them, so don’t rule those out, as well as Batman, Wonder Woman (who just came out as gay, y’all), Robin and Superman.
Empowered pets are de riguer! So, if you thought Fifi or Fido were already a handful, watch out. There’ll be a whole lotta powerful pooches prowling on Halloween. And, about saving the day? We already knew our babies saved the day for us. They’ll just proclaim it to the world on October 31st in costume.
Check out more of my best Halloween pet costumes for 2016!
Robin Rules!
For Harley Quinn, who may be evil but is super cute, as I haven’t found any pet costumes of her, you can go with something like @YamiVelasquez did on Instagram. She used safe pet paint to color her white Poodle’s ears in Harley’s signature blue and pink, and even had a mini baseball bat like Harley carries for the costume. Pretty cool!
And, people still like to amuse when choosing their pet’s costume, so funny and goofy are still in style. Think sushi, pizza and politics! Don’t be surprised if you see lots of pups sporting a blond billionaires’ wig, ok?
Pumpkins are still cute and devils never seem to go out of style. I’m personally tired of hot dogs and sharks, but Halloween is all about expressing your inner creative genius. Personally, I can’t wait to see one of the most creative Halloween parades for pets ever, at Tompkins Square Park, NYC on Saturday, October 22nd. Last year, over 10,000 people descended on the park with their pets. Stay tuned for my coverage on it all, from the most creative to the most outrageous!
Love this pizza slice!
Top pet costume retailer, Rubie’s Pet Shop, said its best sellers are Yoda, Ewoks, Minions and those DC Comics characters I mentioned.
For me? I’m shopping for a mini-Superhero family. We’ll be ready for anything!
A fashion-loving New Yorker who is passionate about rescuing dogs. You think that’s why I connected with Dogs Have Angels Too, the irrepressible book from my friend, Sarah Cavallaro? If you said yes, you’d be right, but there’s more. I love smart, quirky people and characters, and Sarah’s book is chock full. Described as “A heart-warming comedy of errors for dog lovers of the twenty-first century,” I thoroughly enjoyed this read. From the fabulous star and voice of the story, Miss Pink (can you tell which is her favorite color?) to the cross-section of New Yorkers we meet through her eyes, this is not your typical book about rescue.
The test of a good writer is this: Can they make you care about their characters? As the unread pages dwindled and the story was coming to a close, I felt sad. I did care and I wanted my sequel! LOL. Fashion and rescue…does it get any better?
Come with me into the world of a down-on-her-luck, still cheeky, ever stylish borderline senior named Miss Pink who, unbeknownst to her at the story’s start, will find herself deep in need of a reinvention. That she finds it in an overcrowded animal shelter, amongst those with whom she never thought she’d fraternize, is just the beginning. As Sarah says, these characters “…are all ripe for recruitment in Miss Pink’s master plan – which she’s devising on the fly, by the seat of her favorite pink pants!” Hang on…here we goooo…….!
And, it’s a giveaway! Read on to find out how to enter!
Meet Miss Pink
First class travel, designer clothes, Fortune 500 masters of the universe; this was Miss Pink’s world, as an ad sales executive at a major fashion magazine. That is, until the company was purchased by a behemoth, downsized and she was unceremoniously dumped at the top of her game. And, her 401K was wiped out by Bernie Madoff. A rude awakening for a 57 year old, used to wielding influence and the finer things in life. What now?
Eventually homeless and living via her wits in shelters, hostels, even hidden bushes in Central Park, Miss Pink gets a part-time, volunteer job at New York’s Animal Care & Control, the high kill shelter from which we adopted Jasper. She has to overcome a childhood fear of dogs, but applies her signature can do, practical attitude, with the perfect dollop of impatient audacity. A dreary place, at best, Miss Pink finds she actually has an affinity for dogs, and she and shelter manager, Sheila, do their best to make life better for the animals there. Sheila, who’s taken a liking to Miss Pink, is affectionate. Miss Pink doesn’t like hugs.
Trying to help those who might be chosen for euthanasia that day, Miss Pink takes them to the park, asking strangers if they’d like to take a dog home today. And, she meets the darndest people: a man in a tutu and skates, two 11 year old skateboarders, one of whom, Lorne, will play a significant role in the story, and Mary, a hardened, cynical woman who believes rescuing shelter animals is a waste of time when there are people hurting, people like her.
When Miss Pink returns to the shelter after closing one day and is forced to take the dogs home, she gets kicked out of the rooming house. What seems at the time like yet another setback in a series, becomes something good. Find out who Leroy Brown is and why he makes Miss Pink’s life manageable. Who is the woman constantly mistaken for Ruth Madoff and what part will she play in helping Miss Pink realize her master plan? Who are Sally and Barbara and how will they impact Miss Pink’s life in a big way?
Dogs Have Angels Too combines adventure, activism, surprises and derring do, all wrapped up in a big heart. It’s the winner of the Indie Reader Discovery Award.
I highly recommend reading this book! There’s a little Miss Pink in all of us animal lovers, and for some (me, too), I aspire to have even more.
A bit about Sarah Cavallaro
I met Sarah in another lifetime and have known her for 30 years. Sarah is a very smart and talented lady. She’s married to renowned artist Cosimo Cavallaro. Sarah produces all of his art installations and they are pretty cool. Check him out. She is the former founder and president of award-winning Emerald Films in New York City, and is a published poet whose work has appeared in numerous anthologies. I’m honored to call her friend.
Acclaimed opera singer, accomplished visual artist and shelter animal advocate, Martha Cares is a creative powerhouse doing good for animals. I love her fun, whimsical sculptures and jewelry quality key ring/dangles. But, that they remind us furry works of art in all shapes, sizes and colors exist in shelters across the country; well, that brings it to a whole other level. These enamel and steel pieces of dogs, cats and bunnies grace the lawns of museums and public city spaces, and her iconic Red Dog has come to mean support for the shelter dog around the world.
And, Martha is generously giving away one of her famous keychains to two lucky Bark & Swagger followers, so read on to see how to enter! You can also check out the Bark & Swagger radio show on Martha, on Pet Life Radio!
Martha’s rescue dog changed her life
Martha and Poppy in her studio. Don’t the little dogs look like her?
It began with Poppy. Martha had lost her beloved Peachy at 16 years of age and was devastated. She didn’t think she could get another dog. “Even though I didn’t want to get another dog, on each of my birthdays, I would go to the Humane Society and say hi to the animals there,” Martha shared. “I kind of became a Petfinder.com junkie. One day, a little dog caught my eye and she was beautiful. I noticed she was being fostered close to home. I adopted Poppy and this adoption changed my life.”
Cares began creating colorful little works of art – 8″ tall sculptures in steel – and featuring them in her studio. “They were ‘adopted’ very quickly, but everyone said to me, ‘Martha, I love this sculpture; it’s so happy and it reminds me of your rescue dog, Poppy,'” she recalled. “I hadn’t realized it at the time, but they were right. It was Poppy. So, I named the sculpture My Rescue, and as my confidence grew, I enlarged upon the theme. Then, I applied to a special exhibition and was accepted at the Ford Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I exhibited the five primary-colored dogs (see photo at head of article) and devoted my art to raising awareness about the importance of rescue and dedicating my work to all who rescue, foster, adopt and donate.”
My Rescue combines the two loves of Martha’s life; animals and the arts. In 1985, while on the road singing opera, she published a children’s coloring book, featuring a cast of characters, which was well received. “I was traveling for my opera but was always doing my art, and my colleagues and cast members would ask me to design for them,” Cares explained. “I remember designing something for Broadway Cares: Actor’s Equity Fights AIDS.”
Where does opera fit in?
You might be thinking, what about opera? How did that come about? Because it’s not everyday we meet someone who sang over 1,000 performances of the highly acclaimed Phantom of the Opera national Broadway production, directed by the legendary Hal Prince. How did Martha become an award-winning opera singer?
She began singing as a child, and people would stop and marvel at her voice. It was so strong, she went on to study at special schools to become a classical vocalist. Her operatic career highlights include roles with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Florida Grand Opera, Grant Park Music Festival, Milwaukee Opera Company and the Chicago Opera Theatre. In addition, Cares was a guest solo artist with symphony orchestras, including the Miami Chamber Symphony, the Grand Rapids Symphony, the Racine Symphony and the Tulsa Philharmonic, where she sang with international opera star, Simon Estes. And, Cares was honored as Grand Prize winner of the International Bel Canto Opera Competition in Italy, where she made her European debut.
McDonald’s, United Airlines, Cheer…you’ve also heard Martha sing in national commercials on tv. Her versatile voice is so sought out, she’s currently booked through 2017!
Remember I mentioned that My Rescue honors two of her loves? The arts has always been in Martha’s life, too. She was drawing and sculpting dogs and horses as a child. It’s always exciting when you find your calling in life, and that’s what happened with Cares.
A symbol of rescue around the world
Today, the Red Dog is a notable symbol of rescue in all 50 states, and in Australia and Canada. Her exhibition at the Ford Museum resonated so deeply with the community, she began hearing from rescue organizations around the country saying they loved her work as a symbol of rescue. She received suggestions to create My Rescue kitties (which she did), and then her Lulla Bunnies, which represent compassion, followed. Creating miniatures of her work made it available for those who might not be able to afford a large-scale piece, and the key ring idea was born.
Martha and Poppy with Chihuahua exhibition, Baby Blue Velvet and her friends
And, she began donating proceeds from the sale of her art to rescues and humane associations around the country. “I learned that, after Pitbulls, Chihuahuas are the most at risk dogs in our country,” Martha described. “To draw awareness to this issue, I created Baby Blue Velvet, a 400 pound, steel Chihuahua. She’s large, but very delicate and beautiful, and she has friends I created with her.” They were also exhibited at the Ford Museum.
Her public art exhibitions
The Lulla Bunnies, which signify compassion
Her large-scale, public art has also been exhibited at the Krasl Museum’s Biennial Sculpture Invitational, at Sculpture in the Park in Saint Charles, IL., at the brand, new City Hall in Valparaiso, IN. and at the Ella Sharp Museum in MI.
Wear it as a dangle from your purse
A substantial, beautiful piece, so when you show it, whether its on your handbag or as a keyring, it stands out and the colors of fantastic. Our Labor of Love Giveaway.
What’s next?
I asked Martha what we can look forward to from her over the next year or so. “I have some exciting projects coming up to draw more attention to the puppy mill issue,” Cares enthused. “I’ve just launched a new character to my repertoire, a rescue Pug.”
My Rescue gives back. They’ve donated to the National Mill Dog Rescue, to Harley to the Rescue, the Beagle Freedom Project and more. And, if you’re out and about at a black tie charity event, you might run into Martha and Poppy, who step out often. Most recently, the nationally-known Chicago PAWS Fur Ball auctioned a My Rescue piece Cares created specifically for it in the event’s theme colors of silver and black.
If you have a shelter you love, and want to see if you can work with Martha, email me at jody@barkandswagger.com, and I’ll make an introduction.
Win a gorgeous My Rescue key chain, which can also be worn as a dangle on your purse, in your choice of color. We call it the Labor of Love Giveaway because each piece Martha creates is, indeed, a labor of love for shelter animals and those who support them.
The giveaway runs from Monday, September 26 at 8am EST through Sunday, October 2nd at 11:59pm EST. Here’s how to enter, which can be done here, or via my radio show on Pet Life Radio:
This is a Facebook giveaway, and that’s where you’ll enter:
We’ll choose two winners from the entries to each win a key chain/dangle in your choice of color. Choices include red, pink, blue, cream and black. Aren’t they gorgeous?!
Will Rogers said, “I love a dog. He does nothing for political reasons.” Yet, our best friends have been giving Presidents the unofficial assist for centuries. They soften, humanize and make politicians more likable. In some cases, they’ve even helped turn the tide for a candidate. In the words of comedian Dick Gregory, “Dogs are great assets to candidates, and the feeling seems to be engendered that if a dog loves the candidate, he can’t be all that bad.” Pups are cuddly, cute, pure and unconditional. So…dogs and politics? They actually named an official day for it! Join me for Dogs in Politics Day, and discover the fun and interesting stories about presidential pooches and their historic humans. Some have been stylish. Some have been authors. All have been loved.
Tricky Dick, Checkers & Why we celebrate Dogs in Politics Day
What do they all have in common? It goes back to September 23, 1952. On that day, a Senator Richard Nixon of California gave a televised and radio-broadcast address to refute charges he used some of an $18,000 campaign fund for personal use. At the time, he was on the presidential ticket with Dwight (Ike) Eisenhower, the iconic WWII Supreme Allied Commander. The duo was running against Illinois Democrat, Governor Adlai Stevenson.
Because Nixon was accused of taking campaign funds and diverting them for personal use, calls came pouring in for Ike to dump Nixon from the ticket. Never one to run from a fight, he gave a televised address instead, refuting the charge for 30 minutes on air.
What made this speech one to go down in history, is when he mentioned a particular donated item sent to his family as a personal gift, and said he had no intention of returning it:
“A man down in Texas heard Pat [Nixon’s wife] on the radio mention the fact that our two youngsters would like to have a dog. And, believe it or not, the day before we left on this campaign trip, we got a message from Union Station in Baltimore saying they had a package for us. We went down to get it. You know what it was?
“It was a little Cocker Spaniel dog in a crate that he’d sent all the way from Texas. Black and white spotted. And our little girl — Tricia, the six-year old — named it Checkers. And you know, the kids, like all kids, love the dog and I just want to say this right now, that regardless of what they say about it, we’re gonna keep it.”
The “Checkers” speech had an estimated 60 million viewers and listeners, and the reaction was overwhelmingly favorable toward Nixon. It is also regarded as one of the greatest political speeches in U.S. history, and a milestone in terms of demonstrating the effectiveness of television. And, of dogs in politics.
Aided by the “Checkers” speech and the positive response it garnered, Nixon remained on the GOP ticket, and was vice president for two terms. The rest, of course, is history.
An interesting factoid…
We hear the name Fido as a generic reference to a male dog, but where did it come from? Fido has a Latin base meaning “I trust” or faithful one. And, a President actually came up with the name for his dog. Who was that? None other than Abraham Lincoln, one of our most beloved Presidents.
Presidential Dogs…
Here are some of those stand out pooches that were the Lassies for their Timmy’s (sitting Presidents, that is), helping to get them out of jams and build bridges.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt kicked off his successful 1944 U.S. presidential campaign by invoking a claim by his Republican opponents that he’d sent a destroyer to the Aleutian Islands to fetch his Scottish terrier, Fala. He exclaimed, “These Republican leaders have not been content with attacks on me or my wife or on my sons. No, not content with that, they now include my little dog, Fala. Well, of course I don’t resent attacks and my family don’t resent attacks, but Fala does resent them …. He has not been the same dog since.” Fala was a gorgeous Scottie and made the breed famous. He is the only dog to have a statue in a national monument, and it’s a fixture in the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.
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President George W. Bush had two stylish pups, while in office. Barney and Miss Beazley became the first Presidential dogs to have their own website!
Miss Beazley was given as a birthday present from President Bush to First Lady Laura Bush.She moved into the White House as a ten-week-old puppy on January 6, 2005, shortly before the beginning of President Bush’s second term in office. She was named after a character from Oliver Butterworth‘s 1956 children’s book, The Enormous Egg.
Miss Beazley, and the Bushes’ first Scottish Terrier, Barney, a half-brother of Miss Beazley’s father, were video stars, featured in the White House Christmas clip, A Very Beazley Christmas, for her first holiday in the White House.
Barney and Miss Beazley are honored with a bronze sculpture at the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
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George W.’s father, President George H. W. Bush, had an even more famous dog. He often talked of he and wife, Barbara’s Springer Spaniel, Millie. Millie was so famous and stylishly smart, she wrote a book that reached the top spot on the New York Times nonfiction bestseller list in 1992. It was calledMillie’s Book: As Dictated to Barbara Bush, and in it, she describes a day in her life living with President and Barbara Bush at the White House, including attending morning briefings and afternoon meetings in the Oval Office, combined with short breaks for squirrel hunting. But, of course! What is it they say? All work and no play makes Millie a dull dog, right?
Millie was also famous for the prominent mention the president gave her during his bid for re-election. “My dog Millie knows more about foreign affairs than these two bozos,” Bush said, referring to his opponents, Bill Clinton and Al Gore. That dog had a sense of humor, to boot!
Did you know Millie was named for Mildred Caldwell Kerr, a longtime friend of the Bushes? Millie delivered a litter of puppies, and two – Ranger (often called Bush’s favorite dog) and President George W. Bush’s dog, Spot – were also kept as longtime pets.
Millie went on to be portrayed in several TV shows during the 1990s, including Murphy Brown, Wings and Who’s the Boss. She also made a cameo appearance in an episode of The Simpsons.
The 15-acre Millie Bush Bark Park, which opened in 2004 on the west side of Houston, is named after her.
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We’re all familiar with the very stylish Portuguese Water Dogs, Bo and Sunny, who share the White House with President Obama and his family. Getting Bo for Malia and Sasha captivated the attention of the nation, and when Sunny entered the picture, we wanted to know how, why and all the rest.
We knew Buddy, President Bill Clinton’s Chocolate Lab and Socks, their tuxedo cat, while in the White House, but did you know Hill & Bill now share their home with toy poodle, Tally and Maisie? In 1998, Hillary also penned the book Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids’ Letters to the First Pets.
Donald Trump doesn’t have dogs, but if he is elected President, it might be time to consider getting one. You’d have to go back to President Chester A. Arthur in the 1880’s to find a President without a dog.
Besides being man’s best friend and a great wingman, we can now add ambassador to dogs in politics. Yes, they’re that good.
Found clinging to life on a heap of dead puppies in a bucket, little did he know at the time what a difference his broken life would someday make. Harley Puppy Mill Dog was lucky. He was plucked from the brink by a mill worker who noticed he was still breathing, and after ten miserable, abuse-filled years, was sent to a rescue group. And then, his life became magical. Rudi and Dan Taylor found and adopted Harley. And, their love for and commitment to this one-eyed, disfigured boy, and their desire to never see another dog go through what Harley did, began a journey that has ignited the animal loving world. For National Puppy Mill Awareness Day, we’re honoring and remembering Harley, who passed away in March at 15 years old, after five wonderful and important years with the Taylor’s. And, we’re going to meet Fernando, their newest senior rescue and the entire Taylor canine family.
Harley’s Work & Legacy
Harley rose to his new life with fervor. The love and care he’d never received healed him and, beyond all expectations, gave him four + more years of life than anticipated. When Rudi and Harley got involved in shedding more light on puppy mill horrors, Harley would go on their rescue missions, behind a campaign he and Rudi created called Harley to the Rescue. Harley to the Rescue raises funds to save and provide medical care for mill dogs. But, Harley’s story may have just been a lovely one of a caring couple who saved an old and crooked mill dog, if all concerned weren’t as special as they are.
In the five years Harley lived with the Taylor’s, he had a direct paw in helping to rescue 700 puppy mill dogs and raised the money for all of their care. Harley to the Rescue also raised enough money to save an additional 1,000 puppy mill dogs! In 2015, Harley was named the American Humane Association’s American Hero Dog of the Year. No surprise to any of the lives he’s touched. At this writing, Harley has over 122,000 Facebook fans and almost 27,000 followers on Instagram.
Rudi shared so much of Harley’s life with his fans and followers, channeling his voice in blogs and social media posts, and documenting his good works in photos and video. I found this quote particularly poignant about her observations of Harley on the rescue missions. When he went, Rudi shared, “…there is no doubt … Harley is keenly aware of what is happening! There is something indescribable in the way he communicates with the sad and scared dogs. Harley clearly recognizes his role in helping to bridge the gap between canine and human.”
She went on to share how special a boy Harley was. “From the beginning, there was something ‘magical’ about Harley. Everyone who met him saw it. People were drawn to him and he was drawn to people. It became clear that Harley had a very important reason to live … and somehow I was the lucky one chosen to help him in his journey.”
This is how happy I was to meet Harley & his parents! Look, we have matching pearls!
You see what I mean about Rudi in the way she writes about Harley? Dan, her husband, is cut from the same cloth. And, when I met them and Harley at the American Humane Association’s Hero Dog Awards Luncheon, just a short while before Harley passed, I was immediately drawn to this kind, warm couple and the little dog with a big dream.
Harley’s newest venture
Harley continues to make a difference from over the Rainbow Bridge. His newest campaign, Harley’s Puppy Mill Action and Awareness Project, is getting communities around the world involved in championing for change for puppy mill dogs. To become one of Harley’s Heroes, Harley is asking you to form an anti-puppy mill group in your town, to hold regular meetings and to reach out in your community. The campaign officially launched September 1st, and already there are 124 Harley’s Heroes groups in 41 states across the country (6 of those in Canada).
While many of you already know of Harley, his work with Harley to the Rescue and the wonderful, national organization he’s championed called the National Mill Dog Rescue, what you probably don’t know is that Harley shared a home with four other dogs. We’re going to meet the Taylor’s fur baby family, including its newest member, a senior Chihuahua named Fernando, rescued since Harley’s passing.
Harley’s Siblings
Rudi with Riley, Fernando, Cricket and Olive.
Rudi and Dan are an in-need senior dog’s dream. They share their home with five of them in all shapes, colors and sizes, and you can see from Rudi’s face in the photo above, how she and Dan feel about their fur children. Meet Cricket, Olive, Riley, Stella and Fernando. Here’s a little about each of them, in Rudi’s own words:
Cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a 12 year old, 6-pound Chihuahua, who spent the first six years of her life in a cage in a puppy mill, producing puppies to be sold in pet stores. After her rescue, it took about three years for her to develop the confidence to let a man come near her. She is the sweetest, kindest and softest little dog; her eyes are almost human-like. She was our very first puppy mill survivor and she’s quite special to us.
Olive
Olive
Olive is a 5 year old, 4-pound Chihuahua that we rescued from a show breeder. She was a ‘reject’ – her teeth weren’t straight enough and she was a little too small for the show world. Olive rules our roost! We often say that she is a Pitbull/Border Collie in a tiny Chihuahua body. She will play fetch all day long and she always makes sure everyone is where they’re supposed to be, when she wants them to be there! She is also very bold and intimidating, but has the sweetest soul.
Riley
Riley
Riley is a 10 year old, 7-pound Chihuahua, who we rescued from a puppy mill four years ago. She was so emotionally shut down after being freed, that she couldn’t move for days; she only had a glazed-over, dead stare. We planned to foster Riley, but after a few months, it was obvious that she needed us, and so she became a Taylor. Riley still has many fears, but she is also very happy and shows that by spinning around, wagging her tail! She loves to hike in the mountains with us, off-leash. She’s also very beautiful!
Stella
Stella
Stella was rescued from a farm in Kansas when she was 3+ years old, and we adopted her soon after – that was 6 years ago. She is an Anatolian Shepherd and weighs 110 pounds. Her breed is known to have a very low prey drive, and is often used to guard flocks of sheep, chickens and even small children! Stella is the absolute most gentle dog you could imagine, in spite of her large size. She keeps a watchful eye on her Chihuahua siblings when they are outdoors, always scanning the sky for hawks and other predators.
Fernando
Fernando
Fernando is the newest addition to our pack, and we’ve had this Chihuahua for about a month now. This skinny, crippled little old dog was found running in city traffic near San Francisco and luckily, was saved. He made his way to Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco, and they flew him to us. We fell in love instantly and he fell in love with us. Fernando is a funny character; very grateful to be with our family. While his history is not known, there are many indications that suggest he may have been used as a breeding dog, and either escaped or was dumped. He is approximately 12 years old. It’s not possible to ever replace our beloved Harley, but Fernando has certainly helped heal our hearts.
Rudi and Dan, what a beautiful family! Thank you so much for sharing them with us.
I couldn’t think of a better way to end this post in honor of Harley and puppy mill dogs everywhere, than with this quote from Rudi:
“In a world so full of evil and hate, it’s easy to become cynical. This special little dog, with such a horrible past, has helped me see how much love and caring there really is in the world. Harley has taught me to look for (and expect) love and kindness from people, because he only sees the best in people. He has truly changed my life in remarkable ways.” Bless you, Harley. And, bless you, Rudi and Dan Taylor, who are doing so much to end the horrors of puppy mills for millions of dogs everywhere.
Art gallery meets your favorite store; that was my vision with the Bark & Swagger Boutique. And, while it’s taken time to learn how to best realize that vision, it’s finally here!
Welcome to the newly re-designed, re-imagined Bark & Swagger Boutique of designer dog fashion and human fashion from around the world. What’s new? Read on!
New Logo
Take a look…what do you think? I wanted to distinguish the Boutique from the Blog and I LOVE the color lilac in all its shades! LOL
Modern, stylish new design
The new Boutique is airy, open, and organized to make it easy to find complete looks you love.
Special Exhibits
As in an art gallery, we will be featuring special exhibits from key designers around the world. When you go to Shop Stylishly! in the menu bar and click into the Bark & Swagger Boutique, you’ll be able to visit our Exhibits page in the Shop dropdown menu. We currently have five, but more are being planned, so stay tuned!
Each Exhibit features a selection of what I loved best from each brand’s Fall collection, hand picked for you! And, the Exhibits are diverse!
Luxurious, yak-down, cruelty-free sweaters in gorgeous colors, complimenting collars, leads and fashion for women, all from and inspired by the culture of Bhutan, is in the house via Chews Happiness.
If feminine, sequined and jewel-encrusted is your passion,It-Dogs from Trieste, Italy, is making head-turning, cruelty-free vests, dog bags and more.
Lovers of earthy fashion will fall hard for the very on-trend plaids of The Worthy Dog, realized in adorable, classic dresses, boy shirts, sweaters and fleeces.
Couture by Sophie, my little Portuguese Podengo muse’s namesake brand, now on hiatus, created beautiful, limited edition pieces inspired by fashion icons in music, called The Icons Collection. They, along with some fun Haute Collars, are also exhibited.
And, one of my favorite brands made right here in the U.S., is Chicago’s Heavenly Beasts. Their oh-so-chic wool capes, cheerful harnesses and fashion forward coats all feature a harness system devised to calm your dog, accented by a smart charm dangle, filled with an aromatherapy cloud. Heavenly Beasts’ fashions look amazing and solve problems!
Special Promotions
Who doesn’t love savings or presents! Check in periodically on our Special Offers page to see what’s new. We love saying thank you to our loyal followers, customers and to those who recommend the Boutique, so please, don’t be a stranger and tell your friends!
Outside of the featured Exhibits, you can shop all types of fashion, as well – jewelry, reflective gear and other fun items.
So, visit the shop, tell me what you think of the new look (always striving to make it better and better) and what your favorite Exhibit might be.
What does stylish mean to you? I’m passionate about animals, fashion, travel, home decor and rescue, and that's what you'll find here. After a recent move to Fort Lauderdale from NYC, we're loving our new life in the sunshine. Welcome to my world! Grab your favorite beverage, curl up and stay awhile.
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If feminine, sequined and jewel-encrusted is your passion,
