Two-legged guests came in droves to support their four-legged friends at the SPCA of Texas' Fur Ball, held October 1 at the Hyatt Regency Dallas. More than 500 folks showed up in their black-tie best for an evening that began with perhaps the best cocktail hour activity ever: cuddling puppies and adult dogs that are available for adoption.

Inside the ballroom, guests sipped cocktails as they browsed the silent auction stuffed with art, restaurant gift cards, and plenty of pet-friendly goodies.

Emcee and NBC 5 news anchor Brian Curtis kicked off the festivities by introducing Sampha, a rescue dog who came to the SPCA of Texas deathly ill, then healed and is now adopted and thriving.

Chairs Dhruva and Hiren Patel were up next, joined by Pumpkin the puppy, who has since been adopted. The couple asked the crowd to give generously to provide life-saving care for animals in need, then thanked the Fur Ball working group, including live auction chair Cindy Lindsley, table host chair Rebecca Marabito, and the host and auction committees.

The SPCA of Texas' vice president of development, Amanda Rainey, took the stage with Arwen, a dog who was rescued from a large seizure and has since been adopted, to explain the group’s mission to rescue animals from abuse, heal animals in need, and keep pets with their families.

The live auction, led by auctioneer Grant Snyder, heated up as guests bid often and high on such items as a seven-night stay at the Casa Villa Blanca in San Miguel de Allende and a priceless package focused on the animals and for the animals, featuring a behind-the-scenes tour of the SPCA of Texas with president Karen Froehlich and an exciting ride-along with SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit.

A surprise item was a five-day trip to the famed Planet Hollywood Beach Resort in Cancun, Mexico, during “The Sands 80’s Week,” which included access to concerts and events featuring Boy George & Culture Club, Belinda Carlisle, Sheena Easton, Lou Gramm, The Cult, Vanilla Ice, and many more.

Snyder then introduced a video of Daisy, the doggie star of the evening, who was rescued from abuse and suffered from multiple health conditions, but has now transformed into a loving little dog who will make a new family the sweetest new best friend. Daisy pranced onto the stage just as the video ended, and guests all fell in love with her. It was a fabulous way to kick-off to the paddle raise, Pony Up for Paws.

Thanks to a surprise $50K challenge match, generously given by the Roberta Wright Reeves Trust, donors sprang to action. Each donor received a blinking ring as a token of thanks.

To top it all off, Grant Snyder and Daisy were joined onstage by Loretta Swit, “Hot Lips” Houlihan from the iconic TV show M*A*S*H.

To round out the evening, Steve Atkinson, joined onstage by Coco Bear the rescue dog, thanked the SPCA of Texas board of directors as well as staff and volunteers for their tireless support, work, and dedication to the animals and the organization’s mission.

Headline entertainment by The Roof Raisers created the soundtrack for guests to get up and shake their tails well into the night.

Attendees included Clay Jenkins, JoAnn Jenkins, Madeleine Jenkins, Phyllis Comu, Paul and Cathy Brown, Christie Choi, Steve Atkinson, Ted Kincaid, Dr. Richard Gray and Marsha Pendleton-Gray, Rebecca and Dan Tatch, Dana Rhoden, Mary and Arnold Spencer, Sunny and John Ackerman, Michael Gonzales, Whitney Eichinger, Courtney and Brandon Roane, Guy Heartfield, Jonathan Kelly, and Kim Morris.

The Fur Ball is DFW’s salute to the bond between people and their pets, and a celebration of the SPCA of Texas’ important mission to provide every animal exceptional care and a loving home. All money raised through Fur Ball 2022 will go directly to the SPCA of Texas to help rescue, heal, and find homes for thousands of animals.

Photo by Thomas Garza

Brian Curtis, Dhruva Patel, Hiren Patel, Karen Froehlich, Rebecca Marabito