We Are the Champions Bash Brings Out True Astros, Rockets and Texans Believers
Pet Fashion Show Adds Major Fun to Light-Hearted Party
BY Shelby Hodge // 06.25.19Party time on the catwalk at the Citizens for Animal Protection's Mr. Magoo's 'We are the Champions' summer gala at the Bayou City Events Center. (Dave Rossman Photo)
What: Mr. Magoo’s “We Are the Champions” bash benefiting Citizens for Animal Protection
Where: Bayou City Event Center
PC Moment: Guests were instructed to dress as their favorite champions and the sports fans turned out in force. Champion Astros and Rockets, even the down-but-not-out Houston Texans were well represented among the 225 partygoers. And, yes, a sprinkling of Dallas Cowboys, New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Steelers spiced up the scene. Even a few Houston Dynamo jerseys were in the mix.
License-carrying animal lovers Bruce Padilla and Shelby Kibodeaux chaired the lively fundraiser that honored animal advocate Sonia Soto and Big Fix Houston, Unity for a Solution. Joining them in the spotlight was honorary chair Michelle Mantor, publisher of Houston PetTalk Magazine.
Focus of the fun of this annual event is the pet fashion show in which costumed owners and their pooches strut the catwalk. Special guests were Celebrity Pet of Year honorees Dandy with owner Beth Wolff and Beauregard with owner Edna Meyer-Nelson. They will be honored at the CAP gala set for November 16 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel.
While two-legged guests chowed down on tailgate fare — think chicken and waffles, BBQ slicers, mac ‘n cheese — newscaster Sharron Melton handled the riotous live auction. Highlight was a sunset cruise on Galveston Bay aboard Mayoral candidate Bill King‘s yacht. The item sold twice after he promised to name repaired potholes for the winning bidders. When he bumped it up to name three potholes after the winning bidders (his election assumed), the tally went up to $6,000 for each cruise. In all, the evening raised $100,000.
PC Seen: Stuart Page, Kelly Grant, Stephanie Page, Leonard Gremillion, Paul-David Van Atta, Gregg Harrison, Roland Maldonado, Mary Padilla, Thomas Townsend, Jody Merritt, Kappy Muenzer, Gabriela and Ricky Garcia, Kristen Cannon, Amanda Mills, Edward Sanchez, Roseann Rogers, Cheryl Byington, Catherine Schoppa, Jeff Goldberg, Kristin Massey, Lily Paxon, Tobin Hellums, CAP CEO Sandi Mercado, and scores of pooches.