Putting On The Dog V: Wine Tasting & Silent Auction Returning October 9

Putting on the Dog will return for a fifth year on Saturday, October 9.

The public is invited to join Canine Advocates of Newtown at Newtown Country Club for an evening of superb wines, savory hors d’oeuvres, and scrumptious desserts in support of veterinary care for the dogs at Newtown Pound. The event will run from 6 to 9 pm.

In addition to food by many area restaurants, several businesses — including Carminuccio’s, Panino’s and Andrea’s Pastry Shop — will set up serving stations. Hometown Wine & Spirits will provide the wines from various distributors for this year’s event.

Guests will sample numerous fine vintages, enjoy live music by Suzan Hurtuk, and bid on silent auction items. This year’s featured artist is Tarol Samuelson, whose painting “Zoë,” which was created for the event’s program cover, will be up for bid.

The artist is well know for her still-life and animal paintings, along with found-object sculpture. She was the featured artist in June 2009 for the annual “Art of Caring,” a gala benefit held for Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut in June. The event, hosted by Boehringer Ingelheim Corp. at its headquarters in Ridgefield included works of over 100 artists, a silent auction, music and a cosmopolitan buffet. Over 400 people were in attendance and $140,000 was raised.

An award-winning self-taught painter, graphic designer and found-object artist, Ms Samuelson’s works have been the subject of group and solo exhibitions since 1996. She joined LMT in 2008 and has spearheaded the magazine’s redesign.

“Zoe” is a 14 by 14 inch oil painting, depicting the face of a beautiful black lab.

Additional items donated to date include an inground pool closing by Newtown Pools, a limo roundtrip to New York City, a handmade quilt, a comprehensive annual pet exam by Mt Pleasant Hospital for Animals, gift baskets from Your Healthy Pet, an Invisible Fence of Newtown package, beautiful handcrafted jewelry, original paintings, and framed photographs.

 “We also have added to our silent auction a generous dinner party in your home for 10 to 12 people with wine and staff included donated by Creative Cuisine,” said Virginia Jess, an organizer of the event and longtime member of Canine Advocates. “[There are also assorted theme baskets like our Lover’s Basket with a $50 Newtown Florist gift certificate for a wrapped bouquet of fresh cut flowers, a $75 certificate for Panino’s, and a Princess House champagne bucket filled with four glasses and a bottle of Champagne.

“[Other baskets include a] Manly Man Basket, Meditation Basket, Breakfast Basket, Beauty Basket, Dinner & Theatre Basket, Grocery Spree Basket, and other items like your tax return preparation, golf, tennis and workout packages, in addition to lots of handmade jewelry and crafted items,” said Ms Jess.

The work put into previous Putting on the Dog events has paid off for the non-profit organization.

“We have averaged about $8,000 per event,” said Ms Jess.

Live music will be performed this year by Suzan Hurtuk, “a very talented singer, songwriter and guitarist,” said Ms Jess.

Tickets are $35 per person ($25 for Canine Advocates members) and can be purchased at Hometown Wine & Spirits, Your Healthy Pet, Newtown Animal Control, online at CanineAdvocates.org, or mail a self-addressed stamped envelope along with your check to Canine Advocates of Newtown, PO Box 236, Newtown CT 06470. Call 203-426-5327 for further information.