Bideawee is an absolutely wonderful animal welfare and pet adoption organization. Bideawee (which means “stay a while,” in Scottish) has provided shelter, care, and compassion to homeless animals for the past 111 years. With facilities in New York City and two on Long Island (one located in Wantagh and the other located in Westhampton), the organization currently has more than 700 volunteers and 96 employees.
From return rates on adopted animals that are well below the industry norms, an Animal Hospital that has helped more than 75,000 animals in the past 10 years, learning programs and pet therapy, to the treasured Pet Memorial Parks and pet loss support groups, Bideawee supports the life-long relationship between pets and the people who love them.
The Bideawee Ball featured a masquerade theme and included cocktails, live music, dinner, dancing, and a silent and live auction. Cat Greenleaf, host of NBC’s award-winning series “Talk Stoop with Cat Greenleaf” presided over the evening.
This year’s Ball honored London Jewelers’ President Candy Udell and cosmetic entrepreneur and former Bachelor star Prince Lorenzo Borghese for their philanthropic efforts and superior support of animal welfare and well-being. Georgina Bloomberg, known for her equestrian expertise, also attended.
Here were some of the exciting items included in the Bideawee Auction:
- Two tickets to the star-studded Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show – the most exclusive fashion event in the world, held in London on Dec. 2nd.
- Fly to Los Angeles and experience Hollywood fame first-hand at the 2014 Primetime Emmy’s hosted by Seth Meyers on Aug. 25th – event tickets, hotel and airfare included.
- Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make your own pet the star of a Bideawee ad on a Times Square Billboard seen by millions of people for two weeks.
- Enjoy dinner for six at Rao’s, the legendary East Harlem Italian eatery that Forbes calls the” toughest reservation in the country – if not the world.”
- Pamper your favorite pooch with the jaw-dropping Hope Collar and Leash expertly hand-crafted with 205 diamonds and 284 rubies!
This event literally included going to the dogs. I kid you not! Dogs were welcomed and honored guests. While attending the cocktail portion of the evening, I noted that the human guests could avail themselves of two sparkling open bars and the canine guests enjoyed their very own water bowls arrayed along the gala event space’s eastern wall. The humans munched on tasty hors d’oeuvres such as spring rolls, steak slices, popcorn shrimp, watermelon topped with feta cheese, and grilled cheese sandwiches. The staff offered the dogs what I assumed were delicious dog biscuits arrayed on silver serving trays. One large dog made it absolutely clear that she coveted my steak slice. As I almost tripped over a cute brown dachshund camouflaged against the brown floor, I decided that it would be a big social “no no” to feed a steak slice to a dog at a black tie affair.
Having come a little early, I ensconced myself in the foyer and watched the guests arrive. The “arrivals” were like no other event. As I was offered a cocktail called a “Pink Poodle,” I saw a white poodle dressed in a pink tutu prancing alongside a woman dressed in something that I can only describe as a sparking flowing attenuated sari. A more conservatively dressed couple consisted of a man and his dog both sporting matching red bow ties. I did a double take when I noticed a woman and her dog wearing matching “mother/daughter” (I am assuming that the dog is female) outfits. Both wore masks and the same gaudy evening wear. This woman’s handbag was bigger than her dog!
All of this dynamic dog human duo activity took place amidst appropriate background music such as “What’s New Pussycat” and “How Much Is That Doggie in the Window?” The amount of time and creativity devoted to creating the dogs’ and the humans’ coordinated costumes was truly awesome. I had a grand time chatting up every dog I encountered.
This was a magical juxtaposed two-footed and four-footed enchanted evening which really included magic. (And, again, I kid you not.) Magician Noah Levine beguiled me with amazing card tricks. Okay, he did not pull a rabbit out of a hat at the animal benefit. But I was amazed that he could guess what card I picked out of the deck.
All the dogs and all the people were meeting and greeting and munching and/or barking and chatting. A good time was had by all (which includes both species). My personal cutest dog of the evening award went to a beyond words adorable little beagle puppy. I am so glad that Bideawee tries so hard to enable so many other animals to be loved as much as this particular precious little furry wet nosed bundle of energy.
Cheers to a great event which helps animals—and a “woof woof” sign off,
– Marleen Barr
Photos via Kinney and Kinsella
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