The scene on Bethesda Row early Sunday morning on April 1 was right out of a Hollywood premiere event. The only difference was wagging tails in place of stilettos on this red carpet.
Local businesswoman and Fashion for Paws model Karen Nudelman organized “Pup-a-Razzi” to raise much-needed funds for the Washington Humane Society.
Pet photographer Stephen Bobb from Fido Journalism and Bethesda Row teamed up to host the event. By donating to Nudelman’s campaign, dog lovers and their pups received a professional pet photo shoot with Bobb.
94.7 Fresh FM morning show host Tommy McFly greeted the crowd. McFly, the co-chair of this year’s Fashion for Paws runway show, which has raised $1.7 million for the Washington Humane Society since 2007, was almost upstaged by his dog Chip, who he adopted three years ago at a Fashion for Paws event.
Participant Caitlyn Nye had pictures taken of her dog Daisy, a bulldog mix, who she rescued from an Alabama animal hoarder. Nye said that Daisy started out her life dumpster diving and was now starring in a photo shoot.
Like most red carpet events, the dogs left with a swag bag full of treats provided by Bark! Store in Rockville. Thanks to the generous support from the day’s participants and from Bethesda Row, Nudelman raised $1,575 towards her $5,000 goal.
Nudelman and her fellow models will be walking the runway for Fashion for Paws on April 14 at the National Building Museum.
Fashion for Paws is on track to meet their 2012 fundraising goal of $625,000 to support the Washington Humane Society. To learn more about Fashion for Paws, visit www.fashionforpaws.org.
