Celebrity Canines

Starship front man Mickey Thomas, whose powerhouse pipes took his group's rock and roll anthem" We Built This City " to the top of the charts in the '80's, is turning his milestone birthday into a way to build a better future for our four-legged friends.

Marking his 60th on December 3, 2009, the entertainer has teamed with the non-profit animal organization Noah's Wish to provide an avenue for fans to donate to a cause close to the singer's heart. Devoted to their own dogs, Thomas and his wife Rachel have been touched by the stories of the many pet parents who chose to face natural disasters rather than leave behind their furry family members. Rachel Thomas said: "It broke our hearts to see stories of families whose pets were not able to join them in the evacuation shelters and rescue boats. That's why we became involved, and why we are asking our friends, family and Mickey's fans to join us in this mission of gratitude."

Music buffs can say "thank you" to Mickey Thomas for four decades of tunes by giving a donation to a campaign labeled "Celebrating the Birthday Wish of Mickey Thomas of Starship," which can be found on the official site of Noah's Wish:
http://www.noahswish.info/Donations.html

Help For The Holidays Auction

Thomas is also one of a lineup of luminaries who have donated items for Noah's Wish's annual "Help for the Holidays" event. Beginning November 20th and running through November 29th, fans can bid on eBay for a guitar autographed by members of Starship, bog bowls personalized by current Dancing with the Stars competitors Kelly Osbourne, Donny Osmond and Joanne Krupa as well as from actress Kristin Chenoweth and Dog Whisperer Cesar Milan, and much more.

For more information:

visit www.noahswish.info

Mickey Thomas stepped in front of the cameras for the following Noah's Wish PSA:



Photo courtesy PR.com

Newshound Geraldo Rivera is accustomed to life in front of the microphone, but nonetheless the FOX News journalist had a little help with his role as MC of the Fourth Annual DogCatemy Celebrity Gala from his two Golden Retrievers. During the elegant evening event, held at Cipriani Wall Street on November 5, Hudson and his new barking buddy Elvis (adopted by the Rivera family from North Shore Animal League on April 14, 2009) got the chance to mingle among the parade of paparazzi magnets, including Martha Stewart, shock jock Howard Stern and his wife (and spokesperson for the animal organization) Beth Stern, and Monica Seles.

Although an array of A-listers attended the event, the stars' four-legged friends were the stars of the show. Several canines who had posed for close-ups in videos created by their celebrity parents were on hand as the winners of the 2009 Crystal Collar Awards (sponsored by Purina One (R) brand pet food) were announced:

• Best in Show:(tie) Tennis Legend Monica Seles and The Howard Stern

• Show Executive Producer Gary Dell'Abate

• Best Dogumentary: American Composer Marvin Hamlisch

• Best Reel Life Tail: The Howard Stern Show Co-host Robin Quivers

• Best Pawformance: Dreamgirls Composer Henry Krieger

• Best Tail Waggin' Comedy (tie): NY Islander's Goalie Rick DiPietro and

Teen Actor Josh Flitter

Feline and canine collars created by Betsey Johnson, Isaac Mizrahi, Christie Brinkley and more were also among the items up for bid, all to benefit North Shore Animal League America.

To find out more about North Shore Animal League America:

• visit: www.AnimalLeague.org

Caption: DogCatemy Celebrity Gala Master of Ceremonies Geraldo Rivera attended the event with his dog Hudson and his North Shore Animal League America-adopted dog Elvis. (PRNewsFoto/North Shore Animal League America, Christopher Appoldt)

See a parade of famous faces and their Fidos at the 2009 DogCatemy Celebrity Gala in the following clip by Mary Malloy of Herald Community Newspapers, Richner Communications, Inc.

Want to add a hint of Hollywood to your holiday season and help out our four-legged friends in the process? All you have to do is be the highest bidder during the Celebrity Experince and Entertainment Memorial Auction benefitting Precious Paws, a non-profit animal rescue organization in Encino, California. From November 5 - 15, 2009, the following items will be up for auction on eBay:

Celebrity Lunches

• Mull over a menu with Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill!

• Chow down with former child stars Susan Olsen, a Precious Paws foster Mom to pets in need who is best known to TV buffs as Cindy on The Brady Bunch, and her former do-star Robbie Rist, whose portrayal of cousin Oliver on the early 70's series secured his place in pop culture history.

• Have lunch with Anthony Michael Hall, former star of The Dead Zone and '80's movie icon.
• Enjoy a repast with 7th Heaven's Reverend Camden, actor Stephen Collins.

• Savor culinary delights with Adrianne Curry and Christopher Knight, reality TV romantics from The Surreal Life and My Fair Brady.

• Break bread with Nicole de Boer, who starred in The Dead Zone and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

• Enjoy an epicurean experience with Oscar-nominated actor Eric Roberts, who recently starred in The Dark Knight.

• Savor a meal with soap star McKenzie Westmore (All My Children, Passions).

• Sample cuisine with actress Alana Curry, who has starred in the sci-fi blockbuster Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.

TV Items

• A script from the series Nurse Jackie autographed by the cast, including Twilight star Peter Facinelli!

• Autographed photos of Star Trek stars, including Patrick Stewart, Scott Bakula, Kate Mulgrew and Avery Brooks.

• A visit to the set of the Nickelodoen series iCarly.

Entertainment Items

• A photo, purse, perfume and dog clothes donated by reality personality Paris Hilton.

• Jewelry and handbags from the Joan Rivers Line, courtesy of comedienne Joan Rivers.

• A lithograph of pin up queen Bettie Page autographed by artist Olivia and a copy of a book on Bettie Page, written by the artist.

• A cat lithograph by noted artist Christine Head.

• Two passes to Universal Studios.

• Two certificates for up to four guests to the Magic Castle.

• Two Parkhopper tickets to Disneyland Resort.

Movie Items

• For the sci-fi fanatic, a rare Revenge of the Jedi poster.

• Wolverine and the X-Men DVD- Volume 1- Heroes Return-- the three-part animated pilot is autographed by Head Writer Greg Johnson and Supervising Producer Craig Kyle.

• Wolverine and the X-Men DVD- Volume 2- Deadly Enemies, an animated 5-episode set autographed by Head Writer Greg Johnson, Supervising Producer Craig Kyle and writer Chris Yost.

Music Items

• An electric guitar with the John Hancock of Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora.

• A Bon Jovi "Lost Highway" CD autographed by Richie Sambora and a Sambora candle.

• An acoustic guitar autographed by all the members of The Eagles.

• A collector's beer can signed by Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliott.

• A poster which features the autograph of the late John Denver.

• A poster signed by the pop/punk prince of the '80's, Billy Idol.

• A Poster signed by blues legends BB King and Robert Cray.

• A Gospel Brunch for four at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip.

Sports Items

• Autographed hockey pucks and photos from team members of the L.A. Kings.

For more information about the upcoming eBay auction:

• visit www.preciouspaws.org

In the following clip, former 7th Heaven star Stephen Collins and his pawed pal Stanley asks for bids for the upcoming auction:



Logo courtesy Precious Paws

Rachelle Lefevre may portray villainous vamp Victoria in the first two installments of the Twilight saga, but in a PSA for Best Friends Animal Society the actress uses her power of persuasion to help take a bite out of the continuing problem of puppy mills. A dog devotee who recently showed her support for our four-legged friends at Best Friends annual Lint Roller Party, Lefevre brought along her own little lap dog Honey (seen in an archive photo below) to the video shoot.


Photo Credit: RADCLIFFE/MATEI/bauergriffinonline.com

To help combat the cruelty of puppy mills:

• visit www.bestfriends.org

A friend to all who walk on four feet, actress Ashley Scott has had a number of critter companions over the years, including tree frogs, tortoises, a bearded dragon and a chameleon. In 2005 the cast member of such cult hits as Jericho, Birds of Prey and Dark Angel brought along her two canine chums Pork Chop (a precocious pug) and Ozzie (a charming chihuahua) in a show of support for the Purina Pro Plan Rally to Rescue.



Actress Ashley Scott has her arms full with her two dogs Porkchop (R) and Ozzie(L) during the Purina Pro Plan Rally to Rescue event in Los Angeles, Saturday, July 23, 2005. The national campaign hopes to raise more than $1 million dollars for pet rescue organizations. (PRNewsFoto)