On Friday, May 20 from 6:30-9:30 PM, PetsDating.com, a new, free social media site where pet owners and their pets can connect with other pet lovers for playdates, meet adoptable pets at nearby shelters, and find pet-related info, hosted Doggie Date Night at the Clemente Soto Velez Cultural and Educational Center. Some of NYC's finest canines were there to mix, mingle and enjoy some EverMore dog food samples while their owners mingled and drank.
On hand to take $10 photos to benefit the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals (www.animalalliancenyc.org) was meteorologist Ron Trotta and Schmitty the Weather Dog (www.gottavisitnyc.com), who predicted a lovely evening for the event.
More than 45 people attended the event, many with their dogs in tow, including Lindsay Mason and John F. Tilakis of Queens with Harley, a 7 month old French Bulldog - and a huge Yankees fan (with his collar and leash!). Lindsay and John told me they heard about this event via their Meetup.com group and wanted to come and meet other dog lovers in the city. Harley, who is training to be a therapy dog, enjoys going to Meetups to play with other dogs. "It's a great way for him to learn to socialize and play," said Tilakis.
Vanessa, who adopted Moonshine, a border collie from North Shore Animal League, was also here to make new friends. And Antoinette Macmillan of Brooklyn came with Charlie, a 2 year old Yorkie, who she said "doesn't get a lot of time with other dogs and people," and she wants him to be social.
Yoav Sisley of Balls Vodka (co-sponsor of the event), brought his 13 year old daughter Nadia, who doesn't yet have a dog, but has her eye on a small and furry Havanese.
Also in attendance was Linda Kirkland, Anthony Gil de Rubio with Bandit Rubio, Ilene Zeins, Roberto Negrin with Athena, radio personality Andy Troy (andytroy.com), Stephanie Mattera of The Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, Theresa Wong of NYC Poodle Playtime, Ada Nieves with Vanilla, and Doggie Moms of NYC: Grace Forster with Portia and Rosie, Karen Biehl with Eli, and Erika Searl, Leslie Weedman Hughes with Sally Sue, and others. And Madison came with me.
Founded in 2010 by Robert Faynblut, who is very passionate about pets, PetsDating.com, which has members worldwide, is for pet-to-pet dating. "If owners can connect with each other - and have their pets' apprval, then it's a win-win for everyone," said Faynblut. Faynblut, who owns Snoopy, an 11 year old Bichon Friese said the idea of PetsDating.com came to him in November 2010 when a friend said that he didn't want to go for a dog walk in the park alone. He would've preferred to go with another dog owner. And PetsDating.com was born - to do just that - connect the pet community.
Guests were able to sign up for a free profile at PetsDating.com at the event, and to win prizes from a raffle. Prizes included tickets to the NYC Pet Show (May 21-22), bottles of Balls Vodka, New Yorkie dog accessories, a copy of Rick Caran's "Jilli Dog: TheLittle Dog that Made Mr. Kranby Smile" book, K9Cakery.com's dog bone shaped cake kit, and a Boregards.com "In case of emergency" plaque.
