There were quite a few accidents at the Washington Humane Society’s annual gala Saturday night. This was to be expected, however, as nearly half of the evening’s attendees were of the four-legged variety. Perhaps the 400 or so pups were simply marking the occasion (sorry, we can’t help ourselves) of the 21st annual Bark Ball, a benefit for the WHS, which provides adoption, spaying, and neutering services, behavior and learning programs, and more.
Photographs by Rachel Cothran.
Want to see more photos from Washington events and parties? Click here for Washingtonian.com's photo slideshow page.
Animals and owners alike were dressed to the ca-nines (okay, we’ll stop now—really) and received the red-carpet treatment upon arrival at DC’s Renaissance Hotel. At the dog bar, there were plentiful treats provided by Doggie Style Bakery, while dog owners bid on auction items including dinner with Washington Post restaurant critic Tom Sietsema (we assume no were dogs allowed for that one); that item went for upward of $900.
No event in Washington is complete without politics, and the Clinton/Obama events of this past week had both mouths and tails wagging. One booth offered organic treats in the shape of a donkey and an elephant, so a rather informal election was held to determine the party favorite. Later, event chair David Gregory announced that the Republicans had taken the lead.
Across the room, however, a trio of auction items told a different story, this time from a human perspective: gem-encrusted pins for each of the recent presidential hopefuls—John McCain, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama—all donated by Washington power jeweler Ann Hand. By the close of the auction, Obama had won by a landslide, with a $150 bid over Clinton’s $60 bid and McCain’s $55.
Pooches Meet Politics: The 21st Annual Bark Ball
There were quite a few accidents at the Washington Humane Society’s annual gala Saturday night. This was to be expected, however, as nearly half of the evening’s attendees were of the four-legged variety. Perhaps the 400 or so pups were simply marking the occasion (sorry, we can’t help ourselves) of the 21st annual Bark Ball, a benefit for the WHS, which provides adoption, spaying, and neutering services, behavior and learning programs, and more.
Photographs by Rachel Cothran.
Want to see more photos from Washington events and parties? Click here for Washingtonian.com's photo slideshow page.
Animals and owners alike were dressed to the ca-nines (okay, we’ll stop now—really) and received the red-carpet treatment upon arrival at DC’s Renaissance Hotel. At the dog bar, there were plentiful treats provided by Doggie Style Bakery, while dog owners bid on auction items including dinner with Washington Post restaurant critic Tom Sietsema (we assume no were dogs allowed for that one); that item went for upward of $900.
No event in Washington is complete without politics, and the Clinton/Obama events of this past week had both mouths and tails wagging. One booth offered organic treats in the shape of a donkey and an elephant, so a rather informal election was held to determine the party favorite. Later, event chair David Gregory announced that the Republicans had taken the lead.
Across the room, however, a trio of auction items told a different story, this time from a human perspective: gem-encrusted pins for each of the recent presidential hopefuls—John McCain, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama—all donated by Washington power jeweler Ann Hand. By the close of the auction, Obama had won by a landslide, with a $150 bid over Clinton’s $60 bid and McCain’s $55.
More>> Capital Comment Blog | News & Politics | Society Photos
Most Popular in News & Politics
Meet DC’s 2025 Tech Titans
The “MAGA Former Dancer” Named to a Top Job at the Kennedy Center Inherits a Troubled Program
White House Seriously Asks People to Believe Trump’s Letter to Epstein Is Fake, Oliver North and Fawn Hall Got Married, and It’s Time to Plan Your Apple-Picking Excursion
Scott Bessent Got in Another Argument With a Coworker; Trump Threatens Chicago, Gets Booed in New York; and Our Critic Has an Early Report From Kayu
Trump Travels One Block From White House, Declares DC Crime-Free; Barron Trump Moves to Town; and GOP Begins Siege of Home Rule
Washingtonian Magazine
September Issue: Style Setters
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
These Confusing Bands Aren’t Actually From DC
Fiona Apple Wrote a Song About This Maryland Court-Watching Effort
The Confusing Dispute Over the Future of the Anacostia Playhouse
Protecting Our Drinking Water Keeps Him Up at Night
More from News & Politics
How a DC Area Wetlands Restoration Project Could Help Clean Up the Anacostia River
Pressure Grows on FBI Leadership as Search for Kirk’s Killer Continues, Kennedy Center Fires More Staffers, and Spotted Lanternflies Are Everywhere
What Is Free DC?
Manhunt for Charlie Kirk Shooter Continues, Britain Fires US Ambassador Over Epstein Connections, and Sandwich Guy Will Get a Jury Trial
Can Two Guys Ride a Rickshaw over the Himalayas? It Turns Out They Can.
Trump Travels One Block From White House, Declares DC Crime-Free; Barron Trump Moves to Town; and GOP Begins Siege of Home Rule
Donald Trump Dines at Joe’s Seafood Next to the White House
White House Seriously Asks People to Believe Trump’s Letter to Epstein Is Fake, Oliver North and Fawn Hall Got Married, and It’s Time to Plan Your Apple-Picking Excursion