You Take the Runway, I'll Take the Table

Hudson, Murphy, and Luke were invited to this year’s Skybark, and Hudson and Murphy went in black (and red) tie. (Pictured are Murphy and Hudson with their tiny friend and escort for the evening, The Mighty Twiggy.)

What’s Skybark? Well, Skybark, which took place on Friday, February 12, 2010 at Hotel Pennsylvania, is the kick-off party for The Westminster Kennel Club’s 134th Annual Dog Show. Skybark’s inaugural event was March 25, 2006 in Los Angeles and was so successful that it spread to the east coast. What do they do at Skybark? “Dogs and owners mix it up socially with both old and new friends … sharing the common love of animals.”

This year’s Skybark was held at the Penn Top Ballroom at the Hotel Pennsylvania located at 401 7th Avenue, New York, NY, adjacent to Madison Square Garden. “There was live music by DJ Biden, drinks, dancing, delicious Hors d'oeuvres for both people and pets, and New York’s hottest doggy fashion show by Ada Nieves" (pictured above with the contagious smile).

Still, Skybark 2010 wasn’t all dernier cri and celebrity. This year, Skybark raised money for the North Shore Animal Rescue League. “North Shore Animal League America is the world’s largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization, each year saving the lives of approximately 20,000 pets. For 65 years, the Animal League has sustained its mission to rescue, nurture and adopt homeless animals.”

The Boys were all in attendance when Luke was awarded the prestigious Quality of Life Award. The three were to walk the runway together (pictured) to receive their award, but halfway down, Murphy had other plans (too many strobe lights, too much music and noise), and bailed, jumping off the runway and throwing himself into the arms of a total stranger, where he stayed until Luke and Hudson accepted the award and came to get him. Well, that's one way to make new friends.

The Boys were also invited to dinner, but by then Murphy had had enough and spent the rest of the evening hiding out under the table. Fame has definitely not gone to this dog's head. Despite the fact that he was surrounded by food, he just couldn’t wrap his head around all the dogs in haute couture, and stayed under the table, dreaming about a return to the real world of walking and tents and trees and The Honest Kitchen.

Speaking of Honest Kitchen (nice segue, don’t you think?), Murphy did get to meet Lucy Postins, the Honest Kitchen’s founder and president, while everyone was in New York. The Honest Kitchen has filled Murphy’s tummy since the beginning of the walk and it was a pleasure for Luke to express his gratitude in person to Lucy for her unwavering support. Luke called Lucy Murphy’s “Sugar Momma.” (Pictured.) She called Luke a ‘caveman.’ She has met him before!

(Thanks to all who made The Boys' appearance at the Skybark possible. Special thanks to our friend and supporter and volunteer extraordinaire, Pauline Imbro-Allen.)