News
Canine Casino Night Beats Out Vegas
June 16, 2009, 6:37PM MT
By Denise A LeBeau
Touted as the Best Event of the season!
Touted as the Best Event of the season!
by Erin Fell, No More Homeless Pets in Utah
No More Homeless Pets in Utah volunteer Verrall May said (and I quote) "I had the best time ever last night at Canine Casino," and he wasn't the only one. Over 350 canines and their human companions decked out in Vegas fashion enjoyed an over-the-top evening at No More Homeless Pets in Utah's second annual hip, high-rolling dog party, Canine Casino Night raising over $30,000 for Utah's homeless dogs and cats. The event took place at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Salt Lake on Saturday, June 13th from 7-11:30 PM.
The air crackled with true sin city flair as staff, volunteers and guests really put on the dog. Members of the Slippery Kitten Burlesque (pictured above) and male and female models from McCarty Talent Agency, brought just the right look to the evening as they mingled with party attendees. People and their pups crowded the tables as they participated in "just for fun gaming" including Black Jack, Roulette, Craps and Texas Hold'em.
Is that a model or executive director of NMHPU, Holly Sizemore?
With black fedora in place, Canine Casino emcee, X96's Kerry Jackson kept the festivities fun and entertaining. Guests enjoyed an extensive silent auction while chatting with friends and sipping on Rootbeer Retrievers, Whisker Sours and Ruff and Cokes. The appetizers were tasty and the Canine Royale Lounge catered to partying pooches with psychic readings by Paula Davis and Roxanne Hunt, mutt massages by Anna Johnson of Puppenschnoodles and pawdicures by the folks at Meowser Pet Salon. But it wasn’t all just fun, snacking, massages and games - there were also training tips available from K9 Lifeline, for the behaviorally challenged and work crowd control!
Kerry Jackson parties with Miss Utah!
Kerry made the live auction an event in itself as guests bid for killer items like a Day as a Firefighter and Halloween in Vegas. With tiara and sash in place, Miss Utah, Laura Chukanov helped on stage doing her best Vanna White. She also posed for pictures with event guests. A hip Vegas soundtrack kept the mood going especially as the adoptable dogs of the "barking brat pack" made the rounds and guests tucked dollar bills in their sparkly pink haute couture. People and their pooches with panache also stopped by Weston Hall's photo booth so they'd have a snapshot to remember the evening.
Everybody loves Canine Casino Night – especially the guests of honor!
A huge thank you goes to the Canine Casino Night committee headed up by long-time volunteer, Catherine Curtis. Other committee members included:
Alexei Johnson, Brenda Miller, Cameron Curtis, Diana Ivins, Donna Halligan, Jenn Mitchell, Laura Chukanov, Marianne McGregor Guelker, Marylin Segall, Kathy Roberts, Danielle Slaughter, Lydia Beuning, Holly Sizemore, Erin Fell and Maranda Hawkes.
Canine Casino Night's generous sponsors include: Three Olives Rootbeer Vodka, Skyy Vodka, Michael Collins Irish, 1800 Silver, Tommy Bahama White Sand, Skyy Citrus Infusions, Healing Hearts Animal Hospital, Metro Display, The Dog Lodge, Slippery Kittens Burlesque, Eco Moto, The Tin Angel Cafe, La Caille, X96 & Simmons Media, Bjorn's Brew, Squatter's Chasing Tail Ale, Black Diamond, Salon Keji, Mt View Animal Hospital, The City Weekly and McCarty Talent Agency.
If you missed out on this year's Canine Casino Night, make sure to put it on a list of things you have to do in 2010, because your dog will never forgive you otherwise. After all, there's a reason No More Homeless Pets in Utah was honored with a Best Of Award from the City Weekly for "Best Parties For The Dogs!" See you next year. For more info and pictures, click here
lead image & image of party guests with models courtesy Weston Hall
all other images courtesy Erin Fell, NMHPU
posted by Denise LeBeau, Best Friends Staff