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An Evening for Our Furry Friends:
WeHo Hosts The First Annual 'Patterns for Paws'
Nathaniel Grey
July 2010

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The first annual 'Pattern for Paws' benefit for the Amanda Foundation has attracted a full house to the Blue Lobby of West Hollywood's Pacific Design Center. Though this animal rescue group has been around for 34 years, their usual donation sources have slowed to a trickle. Not that unusual as non-profits, especially animal advocacy organizations, suffer during periods of economic depression. Fortunately, the evening's sold out event has proven that there are still a lot of people who know that to continue to call yourself "human" means you must never turn your back on man's best friends.

Being the "first annual", I expected a few bumps and challenges but, with my own history of event production and working with non-profits, the thinly veiled organized chaos has been quite glaring at times. Eye On Weho and numerous other media outlets on hand to cover the event were not permitted to check in until exactly 5:30pm, showing a seeming lack of interest in the need for cameramen to set up or journalists to cover activities already underway. 

Among the limited press material I have been given, there isn't a single description as to exactly what the Amanda Foundation is. What I have received at the press table consists of a single sheet calendar release and a 13 page actual script of what emcee Nigel Lythgoe (So You Think You Can Dance) will be reading from the stage. I even asked a couple volunteers at the check in tables and neither could tell me, in simple terms, exactly what the Amanda Foundation is. Am I nit picking? Yes, but at least I'm not going into greater detail such as the fact that I have only seen a few plates of appetizers passed around the room since I arrived.

The Pacific Design Center is a wonderfully versatile space for almost any grand event which is why Elton John hosts his annual Oscar Party here. It's vast seemingly endless space with unseen ceilings, illuminated columns evoke a cathedral of the future. Accoustics aren't bad but hard to tell when the DJ plays music at conversation limiting decibels. Sure, I sound like my grandfather, but I was on my best behavior and didn't complain to the DJ once, although I may have mentioned that when I was you their age we had to walk 7 miles, up hill, in the snow to pick up the latest Pet Shop Boys album.

Scattered around the room are various tables with an ecletic selection of silent auction items. Movie and TV series DVD sets, beautiful ceramic bowls, sculptures and even a raffle prize to have an artist paint a portrait of your pet. Unfortunately, the artist only worked in the style of Jackson Pollock so the final piece could have been anybody's dog.  (Kidding)  Oddly, every gift basket of doggie treats, outfits, collars and leads is so colorful, sparkled, glittered or feather you'd think that the Amanda Foundation only specialized in Gay dogs. Which got me thinking, how do you really know your dog is Gay. That's easy, when he leaves the room during an episode of Dog Whisperer but practically bites your hand off when you change the channel during America's Next Top Model. I'm just saying... 

Among the celebrities in attendance is none other than the 'Dog Whisperer' himself,  Cesar Millan. Cesar has taken time upon his arrival to sign autographs and pose for pictures with his many fans. Accompanied by his youngest son Calvin, it took the Millans almost 30 minutes just to get into the building where Cesar later accepted a special award from the Amanda Foundation. As described by Foundation President Teri Austin, Amanda is a Latin word meaning "worthy of love."  Something that Cesar Millan's generous charity work and program The Dog Whisperer has always promoted - that pets, like children, deserve our love, support, and respect.

As doggie design is the theme, it is only natural that  the evening should include a pet fashion show. Yes, canines have taken over the catwalk and this time the fashion models really were bitches. Well, rumor has it a few were spayed but I didn't see a single one vomit before doning their gowns. Sporting designs by assorted SoCal designers, it was clear that the models had no choice in what they wore. Only a pet fashion show would present combinations of taffeta, silk and velvet in the same piece, but does it really matter when the creature modeling it just wants to rub their butt on the carpet?

The canine models were accompanied by celebrity handlers including comedian and political commentator Bill Maher, Kristin Bauer from True Blood, Tina Sinatra (yes, daughter of Ol' Blue Eyes), Kelly Cuoco from The Big Bang Theory, Pauley Peret from NCIS and Jenna Ushkowitz from the hit series Glee. Jenna was as fan-dedicated as Cesar, making sure to take photos and sign autographs despite trying to rush off for another appearance. The show wrapped up with Jenna heart tugging rendition of 'True Colors' and a reminder that helping others less fortunate, as in the case, dogs, actually helps our own spirit and soul.

For more information on The Amanda Foundation: http://www.amandafoundation.org