Overlooking the NYC skyline inside of NYU’s Rosenthal Pavilion on the night of December 7th a crowd of bulldog lovers, owners, and enthusiasts came together in support of man’s best friend.
The Long Island Bulldog Rescue held its annual Bash for the Bulldogs presented by Coco Austin with her adorable daughter baby Chanel Nicole and their pet bulldog Maximus in tow. Coco captured the attention of the gala’s guests dressed in an all-black ensemble paired with matching leopard print jacket and booties. Animal advocate and award-winning NBC News correspondent Jill Rappaport was also in attendance at the gala Friday evening.
Prior to kicking off the raffle and silent auction for the event Laurette Richin, founder and Executive Director of the Long Island Bulldog Rescue, spoke about the work that the organization has accomplished on behalf of Bulldogs this year suffering from neglect, abuse, and abandonment. Although they have been successful in finding homes and providing financial support for bulldogs throughout the region there is still much more work to be done and the need for significant financial assistance. The holidays are a particularly busy time as bulldogs tend to be surrendered at much higher rates while the year comes to a close.
As pets and pet owners alike listened from the audience it was hard not to be inspired by Richin’s infectious passion for the welfare of bulldogs. Through her leadership, generous sponsors like Tito’s Vodka, and the contributions of many of the supporters in the room, the event has grown from a small dinner attended by members of the community to the elegant gala it is today. Coco, often accompanied by her husband Ice T, has been attending the event year after year.
Soon after the conclusion of Richin’s speech, the sound of upbeat rock and jazz played by Axiom Addicts filled the room. Their selections included a song they announced as being inspired by the guests of honor: pups. As the silent auction commenced, bidders had the opportunity to win a number of exciting items, such as a signed boxing glove by Muhammad Ali and a Marvel poster signed by Stan Lee. If the auction items weren’t enough, there were also bulldog-themed shirts and accessories for those who wanted to make their support for a good cause known in style. After having wined and dined with fellow dog lovers all who attended the gala were able to say they had contributed to improving a less fortunate bulldog’s life by the end of the night. For that reason among many others, this year’s Bash for the Bulldogs deserves two paws up.
Photo Credit: Long Island Bulldog Rescue