NEW YORK (Hollywood Today) 5/22/08 – Manhattan went to the dogs Wednesday morning, with friendly quadrupeds and their owners gathering around the world’s largest dog house on Times Square’s Military Island. Businesswoman and model Ivanka Trump brought her own furry companion, Tiger, to see the 480-square-foot structure, built to honor Milk-Bone’s 100-year anniversary.
More than 100,000 Milk-Bone treats covered the interior and exterior of the open-air building, which was also adorned inside by signed celebrity/pet photos (including those of Paris Hilton and Nicolette Sheridan) taken by famed photographer Christopher Ameruoso.
“I’m here because I’ve helped out with the auction with the celebrities and pets, having them sign and autograph [their photos],” said Ameruoso, while he posed for a portrait with a Chinese crested dog at one of the many animal-friendly vendors. “Money will be going to the [Milk-Bone] Canine Heroes program, which helps support animals and canines that help support people with physical disabilities.”
The noble initiative spoken of by Ameruoso was also awarded $1 million at the start of the event by its namesake company, which presented a large novelty check to the program’s representatives.
Trump, who stood by as the check changed hands, is no stranger to doggy charities, herself, having previously acted as a spokeswoman for Little Shelter Animal Rescue in Huntington, N.Y. She also co-judged celebrities’ efforts to fashion an animal-adoption ad on an episode of her father’s reality show, “The Celebrity Apprentice.”
Cristián de la Fuente of “Dancing with the Stars” and local radio DJ Race Taylor were two other notable names present at the event, which also included a pet psychic, “doggy dancing” demonstrations and a cake shaped like a giant Milk-Bone provided by Baltimore’s Charm City Cakes, the custom cake shop featured on Food Network’s “Ace of Cakes.”
Members of the U.S. Army also joined in the fun, bringing their own four-legged helpers by, including a police dog. In addition to providing dogs to aid the disabled, Milk-Bone Canine Heroes also assists law-enforcement agencies, whose K-9 units can be crucial to preventing or responding to a disaster or other emergency.