Celebrity Canines

Academy Award winner Dustin Hoffman, who starred in Wag the Dog in 1997, had this Italian pup's tail wagging during a break from a campaign to promote the country's tourism. A doting doggie Dad with two Labrador Retrievers named Lewis and Murphy waiting for him at home, the movie icon had no trouble bonding with his new buddy.

Hoffman has always had an affection for anmals, which he shared in a 2007 interview with Radio Times: "As a kid I always talked to animals. I know they can't talk in the way we do - but I'm positive they know what I'm saying. I ask them how they're doing, tell them I wish I could spend more time with them but I have to go to work."


Photo Credit: OLYCOM/bauergriffinonline.com

"If you need a friend, get a dog." Stepping back into the role of corporate raider Gordon Gekko for the sequel to the 1987 blockbuster Wall Street, silver screen icon Michael Douglas seemed to take the words of his character to heart recently as he was spotted bonding with his own barking buddy. Like any other Fido in the fall, Douglas's dog enjoyed playing in the fallen leaves once the pair reached Central Park.



Photo Credit: Barcroft/Fame Pictures

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.

Halloween is close at hand, and in Hollywood it seems as though our barking buddies enjoy dressing up just as much as Tinseltown's boo-tiful people. One canine who had a craving for costumes was Tori Spelling's pride and joy for 11 years, the late Mimi La Rue. Lapping up the limelight, the precocious pug pranced around in a tiny version of Dorothy's ruby slippers when she spent the day with her Momma at the 4th annual Much Love Animal Rescue Bow Wow Ween event in 2005.

Back and better than ever, pet lovers can show their devotion to dogs at the 6th Bow Wow Ween event, which will be held at the Topanga Community Club in Topanga, California on October 31st, 2009.


Photo Credit: AXELLE/BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM

The bond of love between a person and their pet can never be severed, not even by death. This fact is touchingly brought to life in Hachiko: A Dog's Story, which is based on the true tale of an Akita's continued devotion to his human parent long after his owner's passing. The upcoming Richard Gere film will co-star a series of canines, including several Shiba Inu puppies who portray the dog's early days, followed by three adult Akitas named Chico, Layla and Forrest.

Having touched the heart of generations of dog lovers, Hachiko has reached legendary status in his homeland of Japan, where a bronze statue of his likeness not only stands at the Shibuya Station where the pooch would wait daily for the professor's return from work (and where the Rover is remembered with reverence with a ceremony each April 8th,) but also at the Odate Station in the town of Odate, where Hachiko lived, and at the entrance to the Akita Dog Museum in Odate, Japan.

Hachiko: A Dog's Story is scheduled for release in the US in December 2009.



Photo Credit: Barcroft/Fame Pictures