Pet celebrity shootout

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and Eastwood City, Frontline Plus, Philippine STAR Pet Life Section, Starbucks, and Samson and Mom presented “Pose for PAWS,” an event that had pet owners and animal lovers flashing their pearly whites for a good cause.

It was Franz Morales, head of Atelier Artistique, a group of professional photographers, who approached PAWS with the message that the group wanted to help raise funds for PAWS Animal Rehabilitation Center (PARC). After brainstorming on an event that would fuse photographic talent and pet lovers, pet owners, pets, and awareness, they came up with “Pose for PAWS.”

“It was really great of Franz and the group that they lent their immense talent to our cause and we’re really very grateful,” said Rich Ilustre, PAWS volunteer. “They also took amazing photos of our shelter animals. I’m sure these portraits will help the shelter dogs find good homes.”

The support for PAWS was clear on that cool Sunday afternoon as people and pets came in wave after wave to participate in the event.

At the Eastwood Central Plaza, the photographers set up three photo booths for pets and owners to choose from with different backdrops. There was a brown mottled backdrop, a classic black backdrop, and even an adorable saloon backdrop complete with cowboy hats and vests for pets and owners. It was portrait heaven and in between waiting to get their pictures taken, pet owners mingled, got to know one another, and let their dogs and cats play (though not with each other, of course!).

By the time Nino and I arrived with our Pug Sebastian and our Chihuahua London (we wanted to bring our cat, Britney, but that would have been one crazy car ride!), the event was in full swing. We chatted for a bit with PAWS program director Anna Cabrera, who told us that in addition to having portraits taken, you could also avail of coffee from Starbucks and browse through adorable doggie clothing from Samson and Mom. Since London already had a little tan trench coat on, I purchased a black bowtie for Sebastian before we had their portraits taken.

We chose both the black and the brown backdrop for our family portraits and for solo shots of both London and Sebastian. We were lucky they were relatively small dogs so when we shot photos with them we just carried them to keep them from running or squirming or moving. Everyone was actually helping each other since we all know how difficult it is to catch the perfect shot when the dog is actually looking or even smiling at the camera, but the photographers were all extremely fun and patient, calling the dogs’ names, laughing, and basically doing everything they could to get a great shot. We actually even had to bribe London with treats just to get him to sit down long enough for us to take his picture, a feat I’m sure many other pet owners had to do as well.

It was really so much fun! And the turnout was amazing, seeing over 47 dog parents and six cat parents come to have their photos taken, and since some parents brought more than one pet (like us) the estimated number of dogs who came that day was between 55-60!

Spotted having their photos taken were model couple Hans Montenegro and Marilen Faustino with their Ragdoll cat Beezely, commercial model/actress January Isaac with her Golden Retriever Sage, TV personality Ariana Barouk and record producer Jimmy Muna with their two Chihuahuas, RX 93.9 DJ Chicho Garcia with his Yorkie Cairo, Chef Barni Alejandro and Rogue’s Brian Banta with their Beagle Sawyer. Singer Nina even came to pose beside the banner of her adorable cat, Cotton, who was one of the models for the event.

I can honestly say I am sure everyone had such a wonderful time. There were so many different kinds of dogs and cats and a whole range of outfits. During the time we were there I saw a dog Tzu sporting a Manny Pacquiao jersey, a pair of dogs in La Salle and Ateneo shirts, a dog with a red kimono and matching shoes, a whole family of beagles of varying ages, and this amazing dog and owner pair that came in complete anime costume get-up. It was incredible. Throughout the entire afternoon I couldn’t help but feel wonderful at seeing all the support for PAWS and for the shelter. The animals are in constant need of care and attention and any donations to PARC go a long way to helping them get the care they need and finding them happy homes with owners to love and care for them.

 “Pose for PAWS” came to a close, people and pets excitedly looking forward to seeing their portraits and hanging them in their homes. At the same time, three shelter animals finally found good homes and loving parents, while funds were raised for PARC and the many other shelter animals in need. It’s great how through events like these PAWS can bring people and pets together to have fun and educate them at the same time about the plight of abused and abandoned animals in our country. PARC is always growing and always adapting and they are constantly looking for willing and able volunteers and donations. And it doesn’t have to be in monetary form; simple things such as a used rice cooker, an electric fan, or rechargeable lamps are things the shelter could gladly put  to use as well as old dog toys or clothes or extra pet food and especially cleansers and deodorizers. There can never be too much help!

If you’re interested in volunteering or donating, log onto PAWS’ website at www.paws.org.ph for more information or to sign up for their Yahoo group.

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If you were not able to claim your “Pose for Paws” photos last Sunday because of the weather, you can pick up your photos tomorrow at the “Pose for Paws” booth, Eastwood Cinema lobby from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.