All paws up to PAWS

It was a dinner that I won’t soon forget.

And anyone who knows me knows that I prefer to stay away from formal events, especially those that happen at night. But this one was special. Nik, my Mini Schnauzer, was supposed to come with me, but I asked him to stay home because the weather was not too good.

Bad decision. He would have had the time of his doggie life if he had tagged along.

The event was one for the record books. “Dine with PAWS,” the first annual charity dinner of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society, was attended by more than 300 guests and over 120 dogs. The event raised a total of P225,000 for the PAWS animal shelter. Tickets went quickly even if they were sold to the tune of P1,000 for humans and P1,200 for humans who came with their doggies.

Fantastic.

PAWS Animal Shelter rescues animals in distress and provides emergency medical treatment, low-cost pet spay/neuter services to dogs and cats. Last year, the shelter also responded to over 1,300 calls from beleaguered pet owners — from matters concerning simple pet care advice to reporting cases of animal cruelty.

“It’s amazing what a group of volunteers can do when they are driven by a passion to help alleviate animal suffering,” said Nita Hontiveros-Lichauco, PAWS president. “While we see a lot of cruelty in our line of work, we also come across acts of great kindness and generosity.”

Stars At Night

I have seen it all.

There was a separate buffet for canine guests. Menu items prepared by Hobbes and Landes included gastronomic delights for our best friend, like liver steak topped with cottage cheese, chicken liver delight topped with parsley, mini herbed fish loaves, “Walk in the Park” cupcakes, chicken soup for the dog lover’s soul, Make-Your-Own Bow-WOW! salad, Doggie Sugarless Doughnuts, Canine Carrot Surprise and Wiggly Tails Gelatin.

It was great to watch as humans went down on their knees to feed their canine companions. Others gave their furry friends a seat at the table with them and shared in that wonderful meal. Yes, there was human food, too.

And, though the doggies were the stars that night, many celebrities showed up to share their time and join the cause of PAWS. Spotted were Vina Morales with Mini Pomeranian Arf-Arf; Tim Yap and KC Concepcion with Mini Pom Pres; Dingdong Dantes and Karylle with Shih-Tzus Jack Sparrow and Kung Fu dressed in velvet coats by Samson & Mom; Regine Tolentino, Lander Vera-Perez and their lovely Reign and Megan in outfits that matched those of their male doggie “escorts,” Shih Tzus Porky and Sparky; Agot and Manu Sandejas with their choco-brown Lab Tyson and their Beagle Elvis; Aliyah Parcs with Chihuahua Holiday; Heart Evangelista and Echo Rosales with Davies, their Cocker Spaniel; Toni Rose Gayda with her Poodle Coco, and Brix, the Labrador; Chico Garcia and his Chihuahua Nairobi; Shall We Dance judge Edna Ledesma; Kaye Tiñga (wife of Taguig Mayor Freddie Tiñga of Taguig); Figaro CEO Chit Juan and COO Reena Francisco with their pet Chihuahua’s Lilo, Stitch and Malcolm; Dr. Vic Atienza, assistant director of the Bureau of Animal Industry; Dr. Angel Mateo, OIC of the animal welfare division of BAI, to name a few.

That night was made extra special because PAWS gave out awards to those who helped them in their work over the years. Vets in Practice Animal Clinic, Luz Tanchoco and Willie Chua, received certificates of appreciation for their outstanding contribution to the animal rescue and fundraising efforts of the organization.

Inducted into the “Order of the Platinum Paws” for exemplary acts of selflessness in the promotion of animal welfare were Bodhi Vegetarian Restaurant, pet hero Sassy, and five-year celebrity PAWS volunteer Pia Guanio.

Bodhi has provided the organization with transport for its rescues and caretakers for its animal shelters. The only pet awardee, Sassy, is a Shih-Tzu who showed quick thinking and great courage when she saved the life of her human, Luisa Benguero. Sassy alerted neighbors and housemates by barking incessantly and scratching at doors until they followed her to the spot where Benguero fell from a ladder and fractured her neck. Pia Guanio has raised the most funds for PAWS by naming it as beneficiary during her participation in two TV game shows. The TV host also raised awareness by speaking up about animal cruelty in talk shows and is an active celebrity participant in PAWS fund-raising events.

“There should be more support for animal welfare. The common argument is that people are more important than animals, but that is not even the point of animal welfare advocates. We have a responsibility towards the more helpless members of our society — and that includes the animals,” said Rich Ilustre, TV director and PAWS volunteer.

Anna Cabrera, PAWS program director, added, “We feel that, over and above the health issue of rabies, we lose also an important part of our human-ness if we don’t practice extending compassion to those who need it most, regardless of species.”

“Dine with PAWS” was made possible through the generous support of Globe Broadband. Special thanks also to Hobbes & Landes, Figaro Coffee Company, Gerry’s Grill, Fruits & Passion, Penshoppe, C2 Green Tea, The Body Shop, Intervet, Frontline, Axis Distribution Inc., The Philippine STAR Pet Life Section, 360 Media Inc. and Bonifacio High Street.

But, for folks like me who have been covering the pet beat for years, the most special event of the night was a tribute to PAWS’ president Nita Lichauco, who has never ceased fighting for more humane treatment of animals since 1957. Read her amazing story of dedication to animal welfare next week.