Angela Hart
I was never in a sorority. In part, I thought the club would be too exclusive for my come-one-come-all self; in part, there was no Greek system at the liberal arts school I attended. So college left me out there, navigating my own social experience, sans help from a predetermined gaggle of smiley party girls. That said, I like the idea of being in a guild with certain commonalities among its members. That was the feeling I had when I walked into the Brown Dog Foundation’s Wine Gala and Auction. This event was for animal lovers or, more frankly, people who personify their pets, of which I am definitely guilty. Brown Dog Foundation is a nonprofit organization aspiring to reduce unnecessary euthanasia of family cats and dogs. The organization raises money to help save the lives of domestic pets during an owner’s temporary financial hardship.
Stoney River Legendary Steaks sponsored the event, with wine provided by Dunham Cellars, a distinguished Washington winery. Presenting the wine varietals were the vintners Michael and Joanne Dunham who not only educated us about their wines but also shared their own “furry friend” love stories. I felt as if I was at a formal dog park, talking in shorthand about my beloved miniature schnauzer, Mother Teresa, to kindred strangers, and in turn, genuinely listening to the plight my tablemate has with his three-legged rescue dog.
Conversation started politely and casually with Joanne Dunham as we talked courteously about the wines and the weather. When the dog stories came out, so did our photos, personalities…and the gushing. Ohmigod, that’s incredible…that’s terrible, is your Konnie okay now? We were swapping our “kid” stories, like fast friends at The Little Gym, looking to get a play date on the books. I found myself actually caring for, even rooting for other people’s…dogs. I know. Only in this crowd could I feel oddly self-satisfied with the current book I have at my bedside—Cesar’s Way, by Cesar Millan (the dog-whisperer), a guide to understanding common dog problems. Not really the read you tout at a sexy supper soirée.
But more than like a glorified dog park (besides there being no actual dogs), there were a few other commonalities: We were there for a charitable event and we loved a good glass of vino. The Dunhams were gracious and friendly, describing their wines, the history of their seven-year-old vineyards, and recounting the dog tales that inspired the graphics of their wine labeling. A few favorites were the 2006 Four Legged White Riesling, a tribute wine to Maysey, Michael Dunham’s canine, and the 2005 Dunham Trutina, a red blend. The Riesling was the perfect complement to the pre-dinner dog banter—crisp, light, actually fun to drink, and enjoyable with the lump crab fritter and shrimp appetizer. The Trutina, the Latin word for “balance,” was just that—a delectable balance of four grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc) that paired well with our Black Angus prime beef filet. Stoney River’s additional delicacies were a salad wedge topped with blue cheese and smoked bacon and their decadent chocolate fudge cake.
The founding member of Brown Dog, Carol Smock, fell into the role of auctioneer as dinner got underway. The crowd began yelling out bids…$300, $400, $450, $500, $800 and when bidding stopped at $900, Stoney River threw in a $200 gift certificate to get it up to $1100. Brown Dog Foundation threw in a magnet and leash (no laughing, they’re a startup!) and induction into the Founder’s Society for both the winner and Blooming Boutique, the Sylvan Park flower shop that donated a $1500 shopping spree to the winner and then matched the highest bid as a donation to the foundation. I was scanning the room with my most influential therapist eyes, hoping to transfix all men present, “You have no idea how well it will serve you to have a $1500 credit at a flower shop.” Near the end, the Dunhams threw in a bottle of 4 Legged White and a t-shirt, which sealed the deal for Carolyn Rabatin, who took home the prized package by offering $1175! With the matching gifts, Brown Dog Foundation received $2350, which can help about three domestic pets. Saving one dog at a time.
I left the event reflective, thinking about Mother Teresa, my sweet therapy dog, who lounges in my office, working in tandem with me to ease people’s dis-ease. What if she did fall prey to cancer or some awful disease leaving me vulnerable to extensive vet bills or forced
to consider untimely euthanasia? It’s hard to imagine making those sorts of decisions, especially during the glory years of happy barking and tail-wagging. With the persons in our lives we do what we can to delay death, whatever the cost. What is the value of our animals’ lives? I can honestly say I’ve never really thought about it before now. But if something were to happen to MT, and I was a victim of financial difficulties, it’s good to know the Brown Dog Foundation is out there.
www.browndogfoundation.org
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