Zelda’s 13th Birthday Fashion Show
In a city where it can be difficult to go a full minute without spying someone’s pet pooch, it’s not surprising that a high-end hotel would throw a birthday party for a local four-legged celebrity, or that so many other celebrities would attend with their furry friends. There are enough dogs of distinction, in fact, to put on a doggie fashion show for a new charity organization. And this is exactly what happened at the Heathman Hotel on May 1 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Stephen Galvan, hotel director of sales and marketing, decided to demonstrate just how pet-friendly the Heathman could be with a birthday bash for Zelda, the beautiful bulldog star of local gift-line Zelda Wisdom. Zelda’s human—and company founder—Carol Gardner typically dresses Zelda in fun fashions and photographs her for cards, T-shirts, books, and almost any other gift item imaginable. About a hundred party guests enjoyed the Heathman’s tea service during the canine fashion show, which featured pups prancing with their celebrity owners down the runway, sporting some of Zelda’s favorite ensembles. Emcee Gardner showed off the original photo of Zelda in her debut costume and shared some anecdotes about the shoot while notable hounds strutted on the "dog" walk. Guests included Natali Marmion and Rhonda Shelby of KATU-TV, Kimberly Maus and Shauna Parsons of KPTV-TV, Andy Carson from "Good Day Oregon", Bruce Sussman from KOIN-TV, and news veteran Paul Linnman. The day ended with a birthday cake and singing in honor of Zelda. All proceeds from the event went to start-up company Pet Peace of Mind, a Banfield Charitable Trust organization, that cares for pets of hospice patients. The organization works to keep patients united with their pets during their illness, and to keep the animals out of shelters, where they are usually placed once the owner enters hospice care. The $5,000 raised by the birthday party and fashion show will kick-start the company, get the word out, and help it expand its reach.
