Lucky and I attended the special screening of our Pug loving friend Lori Zelenko’s new film, VALENTINO: THE LAST EMPEROR at the Film Forum, Lucky was the last and only dog present at the movie, as we heard iconic designer Valentino and his posh Pugs were soaking up the sun under a numbrella, of course, in Italy. We got the inside scoop from Frederick Cheung the co-producer, and Matt Tyrnauer director (a long time Vanity Fair contributor), and were also told that with 270 hours footage shot, there’s tons more usable footage (do I hear a sequel?) of Valentino’s pugs; Milton, Monty, Maude, Margot, Maggie and Molly. Since Lucky loves fashion and Pugs (they see eye-to-eye), you never know, Ms. Lucky Diamond might get a canine cameo appearance in the next flick. Take note all you Lucky fans, you can see her in a cameo on this week’s The Celebrity Apprentice on NBC.
Next we hightailed it out of the city and ventured off to Long Island, NY to the North Shore Animal League America, to celebrate their Pet Adoptathon Weekend 2009. the 36-hour global pet adoption extravaganza that started Saturday, May 2nd at 9:00 AM at Pet Adoptathon headquarters in Port Washington, NY, extending through Sunday, May 3rd, 9:00 PM. While there, we had a little tete-a-tete with our old friend, Cesar Millan. Prior to his fame as dog-training star of National Geographic Channel’s Dog Whisperer, we gave him his first ever feature article in Animal Fair Magazine’s May 2001 issue www.animalfair.com. Cesar told us President Obama and family “has a handful with Bo!” The entire Obama family might want to teach this new dog some new tricks.” Check out Cesar Millan’s innovative sessionswithcesar.com, his online dog-coaching course, to create a partnership to decrease pet relinquishments, increase adoptions and benefit the rescue and shelter community. Remember there are many philosophies of dog training so always be sure to do your research before you choose which training method is best for you and your pet!
Back in New York City, Lucky and I entered another dimension when joining an A-List crowd at The 2009 Matrix Awards presented by New York Women in Communications. New York Women in Communications Foundation awards scholarships and provides educational programs for women, whether just beginning their careers or embarking on a transition in their careers. It is the largest foundation for communications scholarships for women in the tri-state area. Recipients are introduced at the luncheon. Distinguished honorees and presenters included Tom Hanks, Julianne Moore, Jessica Lane, Brian Williams, Campbell Brown, Donny Deutsch and many other! Ceremony Emcee The Today Show’s Meredith Vieira asked me funny enough, “Where’s Lucky?”. Meredith and Lucky were at lunch last Monday helping the Lupus foundation,www.lupusnyc.org. Lucky couldn’t make it to the Matrix Awards because New York City was awarded record-breaking 90 Degree weather in April by Mother Nature – I feared my little Lucky might melt.
At the Matrix Awards, Sigourney Weaver wasn’t feeling Alien about her dogs and quipped, “I still have my dog Peddles, her ears are like flower peddles, and my dog Baci is still a big Italian kisser, always trying to give me a wet one.” Jessica Lange wasn’t Hush and chatted about her two canines, “Jack is a rescue, and Pine is a Yellow Lab I got for my son on his 10th birthday”. Perfect gift, animals teach children the meaning of unconditional love and responsibility – puppy love.