German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County held a doggone good event, "Wine, Woofs and Wishes," to support abandoned and injured German shepherds.

Don't let the name lead you astray, this organization is for all German shepherds wherever they may be, and occasionally for other canines as well.

L'Opera controller and Long Beach resident Donna Hamel adopted her 110-pound German shepherd, Samson, from the group in 2008.

Samson went from languishing unwanted in a cold cement public animal shelter to snoring on Donna's bed. Her love for Samson and her delight with the adoption experience with GSROC sparked her desire to give back to the organization by hosting the fundraiser - the first of its kind for the group.

It was not only a beautiful event, but very successful. Approximately $20,000 was raised for man's best friend at the March 29 event.

More than 150 guests sampled wines from 14 wineries as they were serenaded by beautiful young harpist Laurelann Trinidad. GSROC founder and president Maria Dales praised the entire staff at L'Opera for their devotion and attention to detail. Many employees came in to work on their day off just to lend support to the cause, proving devotion works both ways.

A high point of the event was a silent auction basket called "What's Under the Kilt?" It was a collection of Irish beers, collectibles, etc., that included a real live bagpiper to play for a special occasion. The bagpiper was on hand in full regalia, and his piping resonated all around the room to the delight of all of the guests. Maria remarked, "It was a great special feature and everyone applauded and thought it was neat." The lucky winner of the basket, Jennifer Lee Pryor, was delighted to have the preview.

Another fun auction item was called the "Guy's Easter Basket," which was the subject of feverish bidding. It had Angels tickets, cigars, a huge Maglite flashlight, imported beers, a football-shaped remote control, a pizza gift card and assorted beer nuts and beef jerky, among other things.

Another unusual item was a PetTrac GPS Tracking System for dogs, designed for hikers. Another hotly bid on item was a signed piece of music by composer John Williams of "Star Wars" fame. Magnums of high-end wine were in "The Big Italians" basket, with a Pavarotti DVD, an Andrea Bocelli CD, Chianti, sambuca, a "Sopranos" trivia game, wine decanter and more.

There was an original work of art by Tony DeLap (who had the winning bid on a vintage soda water bottle, circa 1920s, for the bartender who has everything; a panini press (an Italian sandwich maker) and private cooking lessons for two; a "Take Mom Out to the Ball Game" package of six Angels tickets for Mother's Day, a bobblehead and autographed photo; a Disney sericel of "101 Dalmatians" and "Arabian Nights"; an adorable canopy pet bed; a delicate needlepoint portrait of a shepherd; a rhinestone-studded cowgirl jacket; and a getaway to Resort at Squaw Creek.

FYI: German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County is a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and finding homes for purebred German shepherds. It is a volunteer organization with no paid staff, funded entirely by private donations. Dogs for adoption are housed in foster home situations and in private boarding facilities. Approximately half of the dogs rescued come directly from owners who are no longer able to care for them because of moving, an owner's illness or death, families losing their homes or because of lifestyle changes. The other half of the dogs in care are plucked from public animal shelters throughout Southern California when no owner comes to claim them or when they are no longer wanted. To help, call 714-773-5915 or visit www.gsroc.org.

Seen at the scene: Terry Antonelli, the owner of L'Opera, was seen mingling with guests. Although he does not own a shepherd, he is a lover of all dogs and attended to support the event. Also there were Dr. Bill Grant, president of the California Veterinary Medical Association; Dr. Dana Wiedenkellar, president of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association; Dr. Barbara Moyer; Laura Chaboya; Steve Everett; Jean and Scott Law; Uzi Daniel; Mary Franz and Dennis Thackerey; Jeannie Klimkowski of Park City, Utah; and Melissa and Bill Warren of Newport Beach.

News of social events with charitable purposes may be sent to Shirley Wild at spwild@verizon.net or by fax to 562-594-9668. Please include a brief FYI about your organization, including a contact phone number. Send high-resolution jpeg photos to spwild@verizon.net and include group name and identification of individuals from left. Call Shirley at 562-594-9468 for more information.

http://www.presstelegram.com/lifestyle/ci_12310254

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Sitting in the corner!

Oh.

My.

God.

“I was jumping up and down,” Hueg says of the rush she felt on learning she could host this party. “I was crying. We had a little (pre-party) party at my office.”

Hueg's no wine snob, but suddenly she found her nose tilting in the direction of a national trend – sipping celebrity wine.

Director Francis Ford Coppola has long sold his own Napa Valley varietals. But now you can buy Mario Andretti's chardonnay; Joe Montana's cabernet; and Dan Aykroyd's merlot. Sting and Madonna own vineyards. KISS and Pink Floyd adorn labels. And TV stars from such diverse series as "The Sopranos" and "Daniel Boone" regularly pitch their own labels.

Hueg's guest of honor wasn't in that league. Not yet. But there was her face, on the $24 bottle of cabernet sauvignon being poured for a toast.

As glasses clinked, the guest of honor sat back, good-natured but quiet. She sampled the barbecued steak, a spot of wine (to be polite), then simply watched. Only later, as the crowd dispersed, did she get vocal. Only then did she get up and trot around – and bark.

Like a good German shepherd.

SHOWERING WITH STRAYS
Celebrity wines have crossed a new threshold. They're no longer just about rock stars, movie stars and pro athletes. They've gone, quite literally, to the dogs.

“We wanted to create a personal wine experience,” says Matt Hahn, 47, co-founder of the Buellton-based Dog Lovers Wine Club, which features a different member's dog on the label each month. “It's not just about the wine – it's about the labels and the stories.”

One month, it's Petunia, the 65-pound German shepherd who had shriveled to just 33 pounds on the street before Hueg rescued her. Another month, it's Ripley, a golden retriever who had to be wheeled around by her owners when she got old. Then it's Brooklyn, a rescued papillon mutt with a marble in place of one eye.

Members submit photos and stories of their dogs at www.dogloverswineclub.com. Each month, Hahn creates a new label while co-founder Fleet Hamilton creates a premium wine from guest winemakers, like Santa Rosa's Deloach Vineyards (named “Winery of the Year” nine times by Wine & Spirits Magazine).

Ten percent of the proceeds go to the Humane Society or nonprofit dog rescue group of your choice, provided it's registered with the club.

The “everydog” concept escalates a recent trend in the $9 billion-a-year U.S. wine industry toward folksier labels for those who don't take their wine too seriously.

Kangaroos, penguins and crocodiles started hopping, waddling and crawling onto wine labels about four years ago, says Danny Brager, vice president of AC Nielsen's Beverage Alcohol team in Mission Viejo – creating a $600 million market known collectively as critter labels.

“It's about making wine labels less pretentious, less snooty,” says Brager. “You should be able to pronounce the label and have some idea what it means without being a linguist.”

The doggie wine club takes it a step further, personalizing those critters. They're real. They've often been rescued. And they come with a good story. Like the time Liz Hueg's husband walked in on her and a stray dog in the shower – naked.


THE UNTHINKABLE
Sometimes you have to act crazy to give a dog a normal life.

That's how Hueg sees it. That's why this otherwise-normal business owner is willing to be called the Crazy Dog Lady by neighbors who see her walking three rescues and a foster dog. Why she's willing to spend 20 hours a week volunteering with the German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County. And why she's willing to admit being in the shower – yes, naked – with Petunia.

But first know this....

Click here to sign up with the Dog Lovers Wine Club.