Canine Capers

Bad to the Bone: Biker dogs, hunks in leather and roaring motorcycles blow the roof off this bash

Between the dogs barking, the motorcycle engines roaring and Bubba McNeely singing, the decibel overload at the Bayou City Event Center could be described only as joyful. What else could you say about a room full of revved-up animal lovers, many with their pooches in tow, raising much-needed funds for Citizens for Animal Protection?

The biker vibe was a nod to the "Bad to the Bone" theme which inspired all manner of road hog attire. Leather chaps, tattoos and motorcycle jackets ruled. Aside from the floral centerpieces, the real decor of the night was provided by a half dozen bright and shiny motorcycles positioned around the party space. Oh, and then there was attorney Carolyn St. Clair, fetchingly costumed as Maleficent, who paraded through the lively scene with her winged (really) Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

Leaders of the pack Patti and Don Murphy, Shelby Kibodeaux and Bruce Padilla pulled the event together as a special effort to help CAP through the summer months, clearly the dog days of summer when funds and supplies run low and and the animal count runs high.

Taking bows on this night with the assistance of emcee Deborah Duncanwere honorees Gaylon and Don Gullquist, honorary chairs Francie and Mike Willis and Bad to the Bone award recipients Lori and Darryl Schroeder, accompanied by Sharkey, wearing a Harley Davidson doggie cover. J&D Entertainment dancers ramped up the energy before the contestants strutted their stuff.

Costumed to the hilt and taking home first prize for their impressive biker garb were Tina and Sam Governale (strikingly handsome in his leather togs) and their pooches, Massimo (Imo) and Valentino (Ino). They paraded down the catwalk in a "fashion" competition that had the crowd of 200 oohing and ahhing as the four-legged procession was truly charming.

Among the parading pairs were Kim Padgett with her runway-savvy Cassidy, Tenenbaum & Co.'sKevin Black and Tony Bradfield with Jackson, Jack Rains with Elvis, Dr. Rolando Maldonado with his Westie Dodger, Lindsay Beale with a CAP Shelter dog and Alex Martinez with his "cabana boys," Pedro and Pablo, fashionably dressed by Alex Blair.

Take a look at the video:

Tina and Sam Governale take first prize with pooches Ino and Momo in the costume contest.

Photo by © Michelle Watson CatchLightGroup.com

Tina and Sam Governale take first prize with pooches Ino and Momo in the costume contest.

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Two-Stepping Bash

Country tunes and Houston's charitable hearts rock for Dec my Room

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Jacob Mansfield, Grace Ward, and Kendyl Mansfield.

A bustling crowd kicked open the doors of the House of Blues for the Eighth Annual "Kick Up Your Boots for Kids" bash, all in support of Dec My Room. The night was set ablaze by the toe-tapping tunes of country stars Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen, transforming the venue on October 24 into a jitterbug jamboree and creating an atmosphere brimming with joy.

Event chairs Laurel Bashaw and Dodi Willingham and founders Kendall Plank and Susan Plank were thrilled about how the extra funds will turbocharge their mission. Since 2007, Dec My Room has adorned nearly 18,000 hospital rooms across 178 institutions, delivering personalized coziness like a warm blanket to pediatric and young adult patients.

Emcee and auctioneer David Ackel kept the energy high as generous Houstonians vied for coveted treasures. Standouts included rare Pappy Van Winkle bourbon bottles and a glimmering necklace from Lugano. A wine and whiskey dinner hosted by Federal Grill’s Matt Brice saw bids skyrocket, leaving winners over the moon. The grand finale was a private management hunt at Sycamore Springs Ranch in Kerrville, Texas.

With over 250 attendees two-stepping and $350,000 raised, the event proved to be a night where generosity danced hand in hand with a rockin’ good time. In the crowd were Laurie and Tracy Krohn, Stacey and Al Lindseth, Mike Plank, Rachel and Tom Regan, Ericka Bagwell, Aimee and Wynne Snoots, Carley and Mike Stasney, Grace and Steven Ward, Monica and Jed Skeet, Marie and Joseph Flanigan, Jessica and Ryan Getz, Denise and Brett Mears, Kiki Wilson, Peggie and Kyle Pentecost.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Jacob Mansfield, Grace Ward, and Kendyl Mansfield.

dec my room fundraisers