OUR DOG HEROS

We all continue to honor our heroes who have risked their lives in order to save another in the line of duty; however, our heroes also come in fur, stand on four legs and wag their tails with excitement to any chewable toy.

During Emmys week, celebrities and industry people alike, were preparing for the awards season. Typically, we’re so focused on who wore it best; the acceptance speeches; racial triumphs and of course the parties. But what about the awards for our furry friends that go under the radar? Well that’s why we have very special people: dog lovers, who have their own kind of awards in order to recognize and commend our little tail waggers for all that they do and contribute to society.

The 5th annual American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards.

During this event, several courageous dogs and their human companions compete for the title of being The American Hero Dog each year; this being the 5th annual awards season. Their stories are told by celebrity guest speakers, celebrity supporters and avid animal lovers alike, giving them the reward that is well deserved. Many of the sponsors have continued to actively take part in making sure that our furry friends are treated and honored with the same amount of respect for all that they’ve done and continue to do.

Heather and I arrived at the famous Beverly Hilton, where a red carpet full of paparazzi and charitable attendees gathered to have their photos taken, while some stood alone as admirers and fans recognized their prolong dedication to events such as these. I knew this particular crowd of people were the reason for why we refer to our furry friends as our fur babies. We coddle them; domesticate them past the point of them knowing their natural identities; and well, we’re animal fanatics. I mean, even with myself, I’ve come to the conclusion that if I don’t breed my own children I’ll most likely become the mother of many puppies.

After seeing a gorgeous coat on a beautiful dog wearing pearls probably worth more than my car, I recognized her human mother being no other than Candy Spelling. Guest and admirers gathers around her to photograph her and her precious pup. I took the opportunity of getting a few good photos while she posed for the cameras, but after a few bad attempts, I just went ahead and asked. She was very gracious and more than willing to take a moment for my first celebrity encounter; and that was only the beginning of our night.

Right as we made our way inside, we were given a table number where we would be sitting amongst other guest. Some of these heroes were being walked around in order to interact with many of the attendees to understand the amount of respect given to them, but also to feel a sense of calmness and love surrounding them.

Each dog had a back story of their own. Some with disabilities that showed the amount of courage and triumph in dealing with difficulties throughout their life and others showing their bravery and why we continue to regard them as a mans best friend.

Isn’t he handsome

One dog owner in particular, officer Chris Alberini, and his loving companion, Dax, shows us the trust between animal and human and the close bond they share through their active duty to protect and serve as well as each other. Normally, we see the training that most of these dogs go through in order to help fight crime, but we also disregard that just like any officer who is paired up with another, this is the pairing that tends to be more sentimental. It’s a different type of friendship that tends to be underestimated, as if the dog is another form of a lethal weapon. No, they’re there to give a safe guidance and reassurance as well as the protection that their crime fighting partner needs. A companion that is loyal and guarded to a degree of being an undeniable close friend.

Aw like father like son

Axel, and his human companion, Captain Jason Haag, shows the comforting feeling one gets with a fur friend that will always be by your side when you’re facing your deepest darkest fears. Having a service dog isn’t for the sake of toting your pal around or to attract attention. Most times it’s to ensure a person that they don’t have to fight their inner battles alone that the average person isn’t capable of picking up on; whether it being depression, anxiety, stress or illnesses. It’s a tough world and sometimes having thick skin isn’t enough when you’re feeling like you’re in that world all on your own. Service dogs have a powerful sense of care and understanding, at times, far more intuitive than your therapist

He was shy but adorable as well as stubborn since he refuses to rotate right side up!

Another tail wagging story was Hudson. While most peoples ignorance deters the full understanding of one specific breed whose reputation has for so long been demolished, This puppy’s past says it all. When I see a dog that has been abused by the ones it most likely became dependent on, it hurts my heart and soul that they still continue to love unconditionally. Pit bulls are misunderstood the most as being violent, dangerous and evil breeds; but on the contrary they are some of the most loving companions one could ever ask for. Hudsons story brought me to silent tears, but overall, it brought me to anger and resentment towards any person that would do such a thing to a loving creature. As a puppy, Hudson and his siblings lives started off rough, but due to an amazing family, he now lives to tell his story in order to spread awareness of the cruelty that animals unnecessarily have to face that goes unnoticed.

In order to keep the hope alive in rehabilitating and saving our furry friends, it takes more than just being an onlooker and a procrastinator. Mainly it takes a lot of time, effort and dedication for the most part. Many times, I’ve made snide remarks of people who have more money than they can count, but more so than none, many are putting that money towards a good respectable cause.

Here, an auction took place during our (3) course meals where the prime goal was to meet 50,000. That’s more than my car and more than what the average American is making yearly, but here, guest were whipping out their check books and challenging each other to a dual match, matching their checkbook amount. Within seconds the Gala raised three times the amount for the military working dogs organization. I could tell that the gentleman on stage with his loyal companion was completely taken aback by the generosity of everyone in the room. I gave what little I could which was not snubbed for what I could afford to give and only excepted and appreciated for giving what I could.

Usually we joke about some of the lives of these paw children and how they’re living better than ourselves, but people truly are passionate about their animals to the point that no amount of money will come in the way of their love and devotion.

Aside from our special guest host, James Denton and Beth Stern, among others, this just goes to show you that not all celebrities are just about the glitz and glam of their careers. One woman, Lois Pope, who is an American anthropologist and animal lover, was also recognized among many others for all that she’s done in being the voice for the little one whose voice is sometimes silenced. One organization PilotsNPaws , shows the amount of dedication she makes in order to spread the word that it doesn’t just stop with a check. Along with our host of the night Beth Stern, whose also been very active with the RedStar group, the differences that they’re making surely is paving the way for more to stand for a good cause.

I didn’t get the chance to pet all of the competitors, but this wasn’t about which dog was better than the other. This wasn’t a dog show or a puppy pageant, this was to acknowledge the little ones that deserve just as much credit and thank you’s that we give to our honorable men and women.

Even though the winner of the night was the heartwarming Harley, and his story, which is enough to want to only adopt all animals. I have to say that they’re all incredibly amazing and winners in my book!