Ellen and Portia (AP Photo/Warner Bros., Michael Rozman)
Have a horse-crazy hot date you want to woo? A feline-fanatic friend you want to wow? A mom who swoons for The Humane Society of the United States hottie president Wayne Pacelle? (It is hard to say that name without fanning oneself.)
Then make this coming Saturday, March 28, a night they’ll never forget. For the celebrity hound who is also a hound lover, bird buddy, porpoise pal, or any other kind of animal aficionado, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) Genesis Awards is a unique treat.
The gala gathering held annually at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills "pays tribute to the major news and entertainment media for producing outstanding works… which raise public understanding of animal issues,” according to The HSUS’s Web site.
What this translates to is dozens of celebs turning out to lend their support and to be gawked at (politely) by anyone who buys a ticket to the show.
This year the event is dedicated to ending the Canadian seal hunt. The joint recipients of the 2009 Gretchen Wyler Award, named for the Genesis Awards founder and “given to a celebrity or public figure who has made news on behalf of animals,” are Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi.
Tickets start at $350 per person. If that seems steep, keep in mind that proceeds assist in The HSUS’s mission to protect and improve the lives of animals everywhere. The Beverly Hilton offers reduced room rates for Awards attendees.
Consider, too, the palatial setting of the Beverly Hilton ballroom, the inventive gourmet vegan meal, the stellar awards presentations, the silent auction, the rocking after-party with entertainment, dancing, and hors d’oeuvres, and of course a night of stargazing, up close and personal.
A HSUS media release lists the following luminaries as expected to attend: “Gabrielle Anwar (Burn Notice), Nigel Barker (America's Next Top Model), Jarrod Cooper (Oakland Raiders), James Cromwell (24), Emily Deschanel (Bones), Susie and Corey Feldman, Jorja Fox (CSI), Matt Grant (Bachelor), Marg Helgenberger (CSI), Carrie Ann Inaba (Dancing with the Stars), Claudia Jordan (Deal or No Deal), Wendie Malick (Confessions of a Shopaholic), Joe Mantegna (Criminal Minds), Heather Mills, Esai Morales (Jericho), Jillian Reynolds (Good Day LA), Dominic Scott Kay (Snow Buddies), Debra Skelton (Mad TV), Ben Stein, Kirsten Vangness (Criminal Minds), Michael Vartan (Alias), Persia White (Girlfriends), Marley the dog (Marley and Me), and many more to be announced.”
Then there’s that aforementioned HSUS hottie prez. I’m trying to get a photo of him to post in the coming days. When I do, you’ll see what I mean. Ladies, keep the smelling salts handy.
A lifelong dog addict and rescuer, Katerina (a.k.a. Kathryn Makris) wrote Your Adopted Dog: Everything You Need to Know about Rescuing and Caring for a Best Friend in Need (The Lyons Press, 2007) with coauthor Shelley Frost. Katerina's other credits include seventeen novels, numerous newspaper and magazine articles, and a CBS teleplay.
Email Katerina at youradopteddog@yahoo.com, and visit her and Shelley at www.YourAdoptedDog.com
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Comments
It's too bad these celebrities don't understand the extremist goals of the HSUS.
The HSUS has the same anti animal ownership goals as other more honest extremist groups but when an organization has over 120 million a year in it's budget-- it can buy about any kind of propaganda money can buy.
These celebrities obviously don't do their research before contributing to the problem.
Shame on them!
Hmmm... I'm guessing the budgets of tens of thousands of businesses, governments, non-profit organizations, political parties, religious and charitable organizations are $120 million/year or more, and I don't think I would necessarily ascribe evil intent to them.
I haven't heard of the HSUS carrying out too many wars, bombings, murders, kidnappings or even bad press, unless it's targeted at people who torture animals for fun. Heck, I don't think they even care if we eat animals, as long as we're a little bit nice to them before we eat them.
I think the celebrities time is well spent on publicizing the HSUS agenda, which includes the following (from the HSUS website:)
"The mission of The HSUS is to create a humane and sustainable world for all animals—a world that will also benefit people. We seek to forge a lasting and comprehensive change in human consciousness of and behavior toward all animals in order to prevent animal cruelty, exploitation, and neglect, and to protect wild habitats and the entire community of life."
Doesn't sound very extremist to me.
All celeb events and charities have a lot of excess fluff and hoopla, but it's important to look beyond that and focus on the cause. Compassionate people will support a good cause whether it's at a grassroots level or a trussed up and glittery celebfest. Support the critters! : )
David is misinformed, uninformed, a sock puppet for any of the myriad abuse industries, or just plain stupid. Or, all of the above!
PS. Shame on YOU, David!
With all this article's 'hottie' and straight drooling, doesn't this writer know that the humane society guy is NOT straight? Not that I care about that per se, but geez, she should not go drooling over what is not available to her! Leave some drooling for the other side!
This is how change is made - people of a certain notoriety going to bat for those who can't "bat" for themselves. And thanks to our San Diego Dogs Examiner for writing about these efforts, because it all leads back to making this world a better place for animals.
The Genesis Awards are a great way to recognize media efforts that highlight animal protection issues. Ellen DeGeneres and Portia DeRossi are true friends to the critters!
David apparently has NOT done his homework. He is following the same old overused line of garbage spewed forth against the HSUS. David, if you were ever out in the field of disasters, seizing puppies from a despicable puppy mill, or exposing the atrocities of factory farming, you would realize just how much HSUS actually does. But instead David, you are nothing more than an armchair critic who probably hasn't contributed anything more than pathetic diatribe while in your chair in front of a computer monitor. You blow!
HSUS is mostly a giant fund raising machine.They operate zero shelters for dogs and cats. What they do is fund lobbyists in nearly every state to push their no animal use agenda. They also pay 6 figure salaries to the vegans at the top. But then with lala land full of vegans, you probably think that is fine. I happen to love animals and see HSUS for what it is. Not a place to send a dime.HSUS opposes purposeful breeding of animals - for pets, food, you name it. People sending money don't get it. HSUS would be happy to end animal agriculture in the U.S. But then you vegans don't care. I like my darling little dogs and would never want to see them extinct. Wayne doesn't care.
Many thanks to all who take the time to comment. As for the drooling, guilty as charged. But hey, it's a dogs page. Drool happens. As for Mr. Pacelle's availability or lack thereof, not to worry. The guy is polite, articulate, stands up for what he believes, and must be as cute (almost) as any of the thousands of pups who rescue groups around the world work to save every day. Who the hottie hangs out with outside of this writer's dreams is only his business. Oops - gotta go. Need a napkin. Yours in Drool and Dream, k
David, You are so correct. HSUS is another extremist "animal rights" organization. And right now HSUS is supporting some ridiculous legislation in Minnesota that would negatively impact reputable hobby breeders of pure bred dogs.
Please answer these questions concerning the Humane Society of the United States:
• What makes HSUS the expert in dog care? (Please provide specific examples)
• If the 8 month Petland HSUS investigation witnessed animals in danger, why didn't HSUS alert the USDA or local authorities to help the dogs?
• According to the HSUS IRS tax returns posted on their web site: Only 4 cents of every donation dollar goes to domestic animal care (cats, dogs, etc.). Why does so little money go to this worthy cause which they market to potential donors?
• Since HSUS is not a government agenda which regulates breeders, are they permitted inside breeder's facilities to evaluate conditions?
• Why was CEO Wayne Pacelle qouted saying he is ok with the extinction of domestic pets if HSUS claims they are here to help our pets?
As always, please get the facts before you jump aboard this pro vegan America and pet elimination terrorist group's agenda.
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