Tuesday, October 2, 2024. Mainly overcast day here in New York with temps in the high 60s, but it feels lower than that. When I saw overcast I’m referring to the masses of cumulus clouds accompanied by other streaking clouds, all running white/grey/even yellow and pink as the day moves on toward nightfall. Some rain in the form of occasional heavy moisture (not really rain).
The city is busy and active with both private parties and promotional activity as well as the “benefits” that help keep us moving and together. Including those that help the “others” besides our human selves, the four-legged friends on whom we rely for many important emotional aspects of our lives … like love and affection, concern and care, and responsibility for those loving creatures.
I’ve shared residence with some of them all my life except (I’ve noticed in retrospect) during those years of finishing school, and going out into the world to pursue my objectives — or what some would call ambitions — the activities that drive our dreams and wishes professionally and otherwise.
Dogs and/or cats, they’ve always been in residence in varying numbers. And all from one of those wonderful rescue organizations. Right now I’ve got three of those babies (actually grown-up) sharing living space with me — two boys and a girl. If she weren’t a dog, I would have to say: woman. Because as a boy, like the other two, the woman reigns as the boss whenever necessary.
There’s Tobie, a male who had lured me to adopt him because I was told he was a Shih Tzu although not quite (which I discovered when I went to pick him up). Close but not quite. Still, I couldn’t resist. He was a puppy who needed a home. He’s twelve now. At the time I had an actual Shih Tzu, a female who was a little older but still young. When she died, in her memory I pursued another Shih Tzu.
I called one of the animal agencies here in town and asked if they had any Shih Tzus. I was told they had two. I figured it wouldn’t be fair to the other if I didn’t adopt both, who I did. I went to pick them up and they were waiting outside on the curb for me. Except: they too weren’t Shih Tzus — the male, a tiny Yorkie Poo, and a larger yet small female, a total mutt. They also had Japanese names. And because I couldn’t pronoun their names I had to re-name them.
I should add that the female was not particularly interested, attention wise. I could only think she was asking herself: “what now?!” about this dog-adopter guy. I named the Yorkie Poo Willie which he responded to immediately (albeit with obvious fear of what he was getting himself into).
Later that day, I was in the kitchen preparing their first meal with her standing at my feet right behind me while reeling off female names out loud: “Mary, Jane, Louise,” etc. and I eventually thought of Rosemary Kennedy (don’t ask me why …), the daughter of Rose and Joseph Kennedy — their first born daughter after her brothers Joseph Jr. and John.
Rosemary was a beautiful child and young woman but evidently as she matured from childhood was “slower” in the sense of physical and intellectual development. By her youth, she had become “increasing irritable and difficult.” After searching for a solution to her problem, her father arranged a lobotomy on her when she was 23 years of age, which they believed would “fix” her (the) problem.
The “solution” left her permanently incapacitated.
What that was like for the young woman we will never know, but she ultimately spent the rest of her life in a home/hospital until her death 19 years ago (2005) at age 85. Outliving both parents and her brothers Joseph, John and Robert, as well as many other family members.
Meanwhile, the Rosemary in my house (I like to think she is the re-incarnation of Miss Kennedy) is the boss. And clever. And smart. And pushes her points until she is told “No” and is otherwise, along with that, a total love dog.
Actually at this time in my life, having lived long enough to notice, her presence is one of my rewards in life; and the boys around her who have very independent senses of self always agree with her leadership in their dog-land.
I call them lovedogs. Which is why we are fortunate to have them — if we pay attention and provide love and dinner (and walks) every day.
Still on the subject of lovedogs and fur babies. While Fashion Week is a distant and almost forgotten event, ELYSIAN Impact, a brand we are told is dedicated to “Women Inspiring Women,” held their Second Annual CatWalk Furbaby event sponsored by Biolight at Sony Hall at the Paramount Hotel during Fashion Week.
CatWalk FurBaby paired international fashion designers, models, rescue animals and charities together for a morning combining passion with a purpose.
New York Fashion Week founder Fern Mallis was the Emcee with panel of celebrity judges headed by Consuelo Vanderbilt, Carol Alt and Maribel Lieberman who handed out awards to not-for-profit organizations paired with each model-and-pet team. DJ Chloe Jane performed her new single “Dance Floor Emergency” (if you don’t know, you don’t know) and was also the event DJ.
21 models – wearing outfits designed by fashion designers such as Nicole Miller and Canine Cashmere, D’Marsh Couture (Glenroy March), Pelush (Anna Tagliabue), Yulia Fashion House (Yulia Boozer), Christina Strayer, Queen of Sparkles (Jaime Glas Odom), Levi-i-Rosa (Ulia Volosovich), Tommy Hilfiger, Any Old Iron, Halim Flowers, Caryna Nina, Brooke Wilder Atelier (Gina Marie Roberts), Johnathan Kayne, VirSal, Pitaya (Nataliya Kerechanin), Halynka Shunevych, Ashley Plasse, Shernett Swaby, Salacious Fruit (Alex Foxsworth) and Ese Azenabor – graced the runway with their four-legged companions.
Attendees included ELYSIAN Founder Karen Floyd, Dr. Christina Rahm, Fern Mallis, Consuelo Vanderbilt, Carol Alt, Maribel Lieberman, DJ Chloe Jane, Jean Shafiroff, Patricia Silverstein, Leesa Rowland, Kate McEntee, and Devika Gopal Agge.
The second part of the program saw a fashion presentation by DRC Ventures Merci Dupre Clothiers headed by Dr. Christina Rahm. Merci Dupre Clothiers couture line is anticipated to become the ultimate in luxury, eco-fashion, and environmental protection. This unique line of ‘Enviremware’ clothing will host a protected coating of nano-biotech technology offering a barrier against hazardous toxins such as EMF radiation, heavy metals, viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungus, while supporting non-exposure of radio frequency electromagnetic particles from 5G.
Lastly, three awards were presented by the panel of Judges:
For more information on ELYSIAN, visit readelysian.com.
Finally … from furry friends to flowers and fauna. The Fund for Park Avenue — a favorite NYC non-profit that has been planting, beautifying, and maintaining the Park Avenue Malls since 1980 — is celebrating their milestone 45th Anniversary! In honor of the occasion, they are offering its first-ever sale of tulip bulbs, comprising 10 premium Darwin hybrid tulip bulbs in beautiful colors that have bloomed on Park Avenue since 1980.
Each Anniversary Mix pouch is available for $150 and includes the following varieties: Ad Rem, Bella Blush, Hakuun, Ollioules, Purple Pride, Pink Impression, Red Parade, and Yellow Parade.
These limited edition Anniversary Mix bulb pouches will ship in November for immediate planting along with easy-to-follow instructions and a special marker to display in your garden.
Don’t miss out on this special opportunity to celebrate and support The Fund for Park Avenue!
Order your Anniversary Mix Bulbs here. Quantities are limited, limit of 2 pouches per supporter. All sales are final.
If you have questions, call 212-836-4373; the great gals at The Fund for Park Avenue will be happy to assist.
And don’t forget to tag The Fund and use the #anniversarymix hashtag when posting on social media next spring!
