Lindsay with her mother, Marilyn Ball at the Dogs on Parade annual luncheon.

Animals take center stage at annual luncheon

A desert tradition was observed on Sunday, July 19 when 492 humans and their pets attended the annual Pets On Parade Luncheon at the Doral Resort in Cathedral City. Jackie Lee Houston was Honorary Chair and Harold Matzner Journal Chair. Event Cochairs were Malinda Bustos, President of the Humane Society of the Desert, Pamela Green and Robin Montgomery.



Highlight of the fundraiser for Pegasus and the Humane Society of the Desert is always the souvenir book filled with photographs of pets – canine and feline as well as equine, avian, and wild ones. The book, designed by David Dixon, is literally a “whose who” of the Coachella Valley’s most pampered animals, many of whom attended the luncheon with their human companions, showing off not only their beauty but their good manners.



Radio favorite Dan McGrath handled the auction chaired by Albeth Paris Grass that included not only trips and jewelry, but a reservation on the new Pet Airway described by Arden Moore. Lori Carmen gave tips on blending dogs and cats into one family with canine and feline demonstrations. Canine Isabelle, whose human companion is Jennifer Hamilton, pulled winning raffle tickets. Dr. Steven, Lisa, Susan, and David Salk were thanked for donating vet services, art, and pet sitting to Pets On Parade for seven years.



Palm Springs Life staff members judged the contest winners from pet photographs submitted to the POP Journal. Virginia Davis and Gloria Nelson chaired the award presentations. First place pet owners were:  Patti and Bud Craine; Steve Carter and Chuck Yates, Neal Boden, Dr.Maja S.Ruetschi, Lesley Portman, Helen Kennedy, Virginia Davis, and Gayle and Chuck Hodges.



Pegasus provides horseback riding therapy for the handicapped while the Humane Society of the Desert is the largest private rescue and pet adoption service in the Coachella Valley.



Photography by Sherri B. Mardones