Photo Credit: Nicholas Hunt / PatrickMcMullan.com

On April 12, 2012 New Yorkers, fashionistas, celebrities and animal activists gathered for the 15^th Annual ASPCA Bergh Ball at The Plaza in New York City. Among the stellar crowd who toasted at this year’s “Fetching”-themed gala were actress Lake Bell and fiancée Scott Campbell, Tinsley Mortimer, Star Jones and designer Catherine Malandrino. Host Isaac Mizrahi emceed the evening as patrons feted music guru and television producer Simon Cowell for his esteemed contributions to the ASPCA. Also among those dining and celebrating throughout the evening were Chris Nirschel, Chuck Scarborough,Deborah Norville, Hunt Slonem and Alvin Valley.

Now in its 15^th year, the event draws a passionate and distinguished crowd of animal lovers—including community leaders and celebrities—who come to dine and dance in support of the ASPCA mission to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.

Who is George Takei?

Uggie, the canine costar of The Artist, looked his absolute best ascending the podium to accept the Best Picture Oscar alongside director Michel Hazanavicius, stars Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo and other cast and crewmembers.

Read more here.

Although Dad likes this one:

She’s in heaven now, but she sure was something!

Bart and Dr. Kyla

I wrote about how great I felt on my Facebook page last Friday after my first visit to chiropractor Dr. Kyla Awes. Here’s a little more information because you all seemed so interested!

I have had trouble with my front elbow and left knee for a while, since I was a puppy really. The first vet thought I had a loose ligament and the U of M thought I had a torn meniscus last year. But I am often stiff and sore and sometimes I even limp for a while. Mommy didn’t want to do surgery or keep me on pills too long so she decided to try an animal chiropractor.

Dr. Kyla was first a human chiropractor but always wanted to work with animals, so she got certified as an animal chiropractor. The adjustment was very simple and I don’t “crack” like Mommy does. Dr. Kyla adjusted several vertebrae as well as my neck and my pelvis. You can see from the picture how good I feel after my adjustment! I didn’t cry or squirm, it just felt really really good. Dr. Kyla is really nice too, although she only gave out two treats. I think when it’s your first time you should get at least three treats.

I’ve been feeling really perky and peppy ever since and definitely have not been as stiff and sore. I’m schedule for two more treatments and then we’ll see how it goes.

If you’re interested in chiropractic care for your animal there is a lot of information on her website. Just go to Drkyla.com You can also go to the website for the Animal Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) to find a therapist in your area. 

We were at the University of Minnesota veterinary center this week with Duchess and I noticed they were doing a study using Botox on arthritic dogs. (She’s fine by the way…just a bit of gastroenteritis from murdering a baby mole in Colorado.) 

Apparently the study is actually to help prove the efficacy of using Botox for arthritic joints for humans..but I did find some really interesting studies on Botox for arthritic dogs that I thought I would share. Bart is not a candidate as his lameness is mainly in the knee, but I am going to pursue this for his hips. The studies for both humans and dogs look really promising!

BTW, if you are interested in the study at the U for your dog, they need to weigh more than 45 pounds and have a forelimb that is obviously much worse than the other. Sara Pracht, the study technician, is wonderful. Just give her a call at 612-626-3574 if you’re interested.