Celebrity dog hosts birthday bash to benefit United Maltese Rescue

STAFFORD — For any dog who was well, any dog, the place to be on Saturday was Pup’N Iron Canine Fitness and Learning Center.

Despite the London Fog that descended upon the area that evening, not one guest left a damp paw print as they walked the red carpet upon their arrival at the social event of the season.

Pup’N Iron proprietor Laurie Williams’ Maltese Andrew the Great was a finalist in last summer’s CBS Greatest American Dog television show. And Williams hosted the social event in honor of Andrew’s seventh birthday as a means to bring attention to United Maltese Rescue, which finds homes for displaced Maltese.

However, it was not just a social event, as raffles were held along with a silent auction to raise funds for the charity.

"Hosting the fundraiser in conjunction with Andrew's birthday party presented a wonderful opportunity to use his celebrity toward a great cause,” said Williams. “This was our way of giving back and helping homeless dogs in need.”

The guest list for Andrew’s seventh birthday party included just about everyone on the Who’s Who list of the canine jet set.

Although guests arrived at the soiree dressed in tuxedos, thee tails, and tiaras, they still greeted each other with sniffs in the appropriate canine places. But there was not one cumberbund or evening gown askew as they went through their ritual greetings.

There was however a trio that arrived in their bunny pajamas. The one dressed in blue led the two dressed in pink to believe it was a slumber party.

But there was definitely no one sleeping at this gathering. Rick Caran’s Jilli the Poker Playing Yorkie kept the guests entertained with a performance that included falling over “dead” while in a full run after being shot by a pointed finger and being called “You dirty rat.”

Meanwhile another “Greatest American Dog” contestant, The Amazing Leroy, worked the party by gathering a crowd around him wherever he went, as only a Border Collie can do. But the 2007 Small Dog Milk Bone Biscuit Box Cover Dog, Eli the Chihuahua, dressed in Top Hat and Tails, managed to attract attention with his flashy bling tie and tuxedo as he was carried through the crowd by his caretaker Karen Biehl.

Still others, such as 5-year-old Boston Terrier Teddy attracted attention for his perseverance in being able to ambulate in a wheelchair despite being crippled by a spinal cord injury. The dog was adopted through Pets with Disabilities by Tim and Deb Ritchey of Barboursville. They also recently adopted Mr. Giggles who suffers with leg problems.

But these two dogs spent a good portion of the evening in the far corner of the room where Service Dogs Usal and Service Dog/Therapy Dog Perlie who were there with local residents Lee and Sue Peetoom, and several large dogs.

However, it was mostly a sea of white fur that floated across the dark canine gym floor like so make white caps on the ocean. Andrew’s Birthday Party was all about Maltese.

UMR representative Barbara Fine presented Laurie with a portrait of Andrew early in the evening but when the event ended, Andrew was able to present UMR with a gift in return. Despite the inclement weather, Williams indicated that they had a great turnout, and said, "We're ecstatic that we were able to raise $1,800 for UMR!"

For additional information on adopting these small white dogs that have a perpetual puppy appeal, or to make a donation to the organization in the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, visit UMR at www.rescueamaltese.com/

Marty van Duyne is a member of the Dog Writers Association of America.