Would they jump, leap, sing . . . maybe talk? What could a dozen pooches possibly carry out to wow a critical panel of media types to win prizes?
OK, so perhaps the competitive gathering at the dog friendly Cottonwood pub Sunday afternoon was more amicable than fierce. Citizens for Animal Protection's "CAP's Got Talent" casual fundraiser placed the four-legged friends in the spotlight and cast proud owners as their sidekicks in hopes of charming their way into best in show.
Up for grabs were gift certificates for a spa day at Rover Oaks Pet Resort for fido and at Massage Heights for daddy or mommy.
The judging clique that included CBS Radio's David Morales, Houston PBS' Ernie Manouse, Absolutely Memorial Magazine publisher Lara Bell, buzz darling Roseann Rogers and H Texas Magazine editor-in-chief Laurette Veres had to consider high fives, playing dead, sitting on command, smiling, posing for photos and herding before awarding the blue ribbon to Moshi, a 2-year-old blue lacy puppy that belonged to Sue Nguyen and daughter Zoe.
When Moshi sprung on her two back legs to slap her handler's hands, then plopped on the floor after a finger gun gesture, the decision was unanimous.
Enticing guests were raffle items from Tootsies, Narin's Bombay Brasserie and Alley Theatre, alongside a complimentary spread from Cottonwood chef Daniel Ajtai that included fried onion rings, grilled panini, hummus and deviled eggs.
Wagging their tails, figuratively speaking, were Angela Sturm-O'Brien, Kim Padgett, Tara Brivic, Brent Milam, Brooke Candelaria, Sonia Soto and mom Raquel, Kathy Kuehn Fleming, Raman Mullick, Mike Nguyen, Erika Bowman, Barbara McKnight, Victoria and Mike Langlais, Terry Rambin, Irene Morales, Guy Yount and Craig Johnson.
Dr. Angela Sturm-O'Brien, from left, Dave Morales, Zoe Nguyen, Sue Nguyen, Dylan Milam, Brooks Milam and Nikhil Shah at the CAP's Got Talent event.
