Although Ringo Starr performed some Beatles hits a few blocks away, it was the title of a Rolling Stones song — Gimme Shelter — that resonated with dog lovers at Parkside Hotel and Spa Thursday night.
Seeking shelter for animals it rescues and rehabilitates is part of the Victoria Humane Society’s mandate that the eighth annual Man and His Dog Fashion Show fundraiser helps fulfil.
The event that originated at Outlooks For Men, and was held at Glo last year before relocating to Parkside, was the biggest yet, attracting 170 fashionistas and animal lovers.
“I’m not sure I should say this but I’m actually a bit of a cat guy right now, but I love dogs,” confessed Rob Kettner, one of 14 male models wearing fall fashions on the runway.
The laid-back barista and Hey Happy coffee-shop proprietor nevertheless welcomed the chance to walk with Fallon, an adoptable five-month-old Anatolian shepherd.
“She really is a sweetheart. We bonded,” said Kettner, wearing an Altea down vest, Outclass shirt, Wings + Horns chinos and Hudson boots.
“You can fall in love with any dog. Even the ugliest mutt in the world can be your best friend,” said Outlooks owner Dale Olsen, who emceed with Times Colonist reporter Andrew Duffy.
As sharp as many of the casual fall fashions were, Olsen admitted he never counts on these fundraisers to boost sales.
“I do this because I’m a dog guy,” said Olsen, who credits his staff, his wife Marie Zirk and her friends for pulling it off with support from sponsores including Telus, Truffles and the Downtown Vet.
“Lots of people come to look at the dogs. We could put these guys in sweatsuits and they’d come.”
Victoria Humane Society executive director Penny Stone expressed gratitude over how such events raise not just money but awareness.
“I’m always preaching to the converted!” said Stone with a laugh at the suggestion this crowd didn’t need much convincing.
She recruited her husband, Jim Bradley, to walk Gus, the non-profit society’s two-year-old spokesdog, who was emaciated and suffering from megasophagus when he came into their care.
“I’m a bit of a convert myself,” said Bradley. “There was a time I thought the best thing you could for a suffering animal was relieve the suffering, but Penny stayed the course. I’ve seen some remarkable recoveries just through care and kindness.”
Anyone who thought they’d be leaving with a canine companion under their arm — such as the four eight-week-old Rottweiler crosses that drew oohs and aahs — had another thing coming.
“No, you can’t just take a dog home,” said Stone. “We’re very particular about adoptions.”
Half the fun was hanging out with the four-legged stars and society volunteers assigned to keep them cool, mellow, happy and exercised in the hotel’s parkade before the show.
The adorable pooches with distinct personalities and needs included lawyer Willie Gudgeon’s Wilson, a handsome and playful white lab puppy; filmmaker Jim Knox’s Lui, a frisky and friendly 14-month-old beagle/terrier mix; Bronco, Local bar and grill owner Jeremy Petzing’s lovable big six-month-old Spanish mastiff; and Maple, an adoptable sweetie who could barely walk because of a spine injury when the society took her in.
“We’re providing mostly safety for dogs, and tiring them out a bit so when they have to do their part, they’re more relaxed and calm because there’s lots of stimulation going on,” said volunteer Sandrina Piano.
One of her charges was Jericho, an energetic and affectionate three-year-old golden lab cross who to walker Donald Clark’s amusement broke free and bolted upstairs before showtime.
“If you’re a couch potato, don’t get this guy,” joked a breathless Piano after taking Jericho for a jog. “These dogs do get you off the couch.”