July 2006

Bark Ball: A Doggone Great Time

by Chrissie Brodigan, Washingtonian Magazine

By the time we reached the hotel, my date and I had been arguing. We pulled up, and in his typical style he bolted from the car, leaving me to pull out our luggage and tip the valet. Stumbling toward the check-in counter, I gave him a tough tug and quietly but curtly explained that if he didn’t start behaving, we would be going home early. There we were—my date pouting and acting immature while I silently fumed.

Yes, we were on our way to the Washington Humane Society’s annual black-tie event, the Bark Ball. My date? Zorro, a tenacious Boston bull terrier who is also my best friend. (Being a dog, however, doesn’t excuse bad behavior.)

I’ve attended many lavish affairs, but the Bark Ball was the first gala I was able to attend with my dog. Unaware of dog protocol for black-tie events, I had spent the day shopping for the perfect attire: a dog tuxedo. While Zorro looked awfully good, his simple suit paled in comparison to some of the stunning ensembles we saw throughout the evening.

In its 19th year, the Bark Ball is a simple recipe for a great time: Black-tie guests bring their dogs as dates. Add dinner and a silent auction, mix in great music and food, and—voilà—fundraising and fun-having success. This year there were nearly 300 canines in attendance, which means more than 900 left feet made it across the dance floor (some of the dogs could really dance).

All the fun has a serious purpose: to raise money to help care for stray, injured, abused, and unwanted animals. At the Washington Humane Society, no call for help goes unanswered, and no animal is ever turned away. Between the dinner and silent auction, the evening raised about $200,000.

Executive director Howard Nelson explained that, unlike other events where people struggle to mingle and find common ground with strangers, at the Bark Ball the “animals are the icebreakers.” I can attest to this—many of the people I met were preceded by the cold and interested noses of their canine sidekicks. At the Bark Ball, guests really get around, meeting and greeting people they might never strike up a conversation with on their own.

Purse strings to heartstrings: The Washington Humane Society presented a short video of still photos documenting the work it does. Even non-animal lovers would have been moved by the depth of pain and harsh conditions from which animals were rescued by devoted staff members. Among the faces in the video was that of skinny pug. Anyone who has ever seen a pug knows that they are built to look like chubby potatoes with legs. This pug had been abandoned, left in a cage without food or water, hungry and slowly dying for two weeks. The pug is now living a happy, plump pug life because of the Washington Humane Society’s life-saving efforts.

Belles of the ball: In spite of the many well-dressed pooches, the real belles of the ball were the rescue workers and volunteers, who received a standing ovation at the end of the video. It was the special moment of the evening, which was pulled off flawlessly by another 50-plus volunteers.

While focused on the overall care of animals in need, the gala also drew attention to two of the programs run by the Washington Humane Society. First is the Good Home Guarantee Program, a progressive five-year plan designed to reach a 100-percent placement rate for dogs and cats. Second is the Spay/Neuter Program. Abandoned and alone animals are very good at reproduction, so the Spay/Neuter Program has been expanded with a new clinic on Georgia Avenue, where low-cost spay and neuter services are provided five days a week.

With sleep in our eyes, my doggy date and I ended the evening snuggling together. We had made many new friends. The Bark Ball not only represents a doggone good time but promotes a great cause.

If you missed this year’s ball, keep it in mind for next year. In the mean time, the Washington Humane Society still has room for you to attend the upcoming Sugar and Champagne Affair. Hosted at Equinox, the event raises money for the Humane Law Enforcement Program, which helps to fight animal abuse through officers who execute search warrants, rescue animals, and prosecute animal abusers.

You can also support the Society by attending Helix Lounge’s Dog Days of Summer Happy Hour. Beginning Wednesday, June 28, Helix Lounge invites Washingtonians and their four-legged friends to meet, mingle, and sniff while enjoying specialty cocktails and appetizers on the lounge’s spacious outdoor patio. The happy hour will take place every Wednesday from 5 to 8 pm throughout the summer.

While the pooches snack on complimentary doggie treats and drink spring water served in individual water bowls, humans can sip on cocktails like the Pet Peeve Martini, the Pooch Hooch, and the Tail Ale. A Bark Bites menu will include the likes of the Top Dog Quesadilla, featuring Jack Cheese and Salsa on a Toasted Tortilla with Chipotle Sour Cream ($7); a plate of Mini Corn Dogs with Spicy Mustard ($6); and No Bones About It, featuring Boneless Buffalo Tenders and Blue Cheese Dressing ($7).

Each week the Washington Humane Society will bring an adoptable dog to meet patrons and maybe even find a new home. The lounge will honor the rescued pup by naming a specialty cocktail after him or her for the evening. Hotel Helix will donate a complimentary overnight stay to any patron who adopts a dog through the happy hour. A portion of the proceeds from the specialty cocktails will be donated to the Washington Humane Society.

If you decide to bring your canine companion to a gala or happy hour, I recommend a bag of well-disguised treats, a bottle of water in lieu of a hairbrush, shoes that are made for walking, and Handiwipes for the accident that will inevitably happen.