On Friday, August 15, my friend and I went to a benefit for the Humane Society and SPCA of Sonoma County, where I adopted my cat last summer. It was called the Wags, Whiskers, & Wine Gala, and it was truly a gala, complete with a silent and live auction, wine tastings, and delish food. Of course my friend and I were most enamored of the Puppy Kissing Booth, where we got to hold Nate and Hillary (the Border Collie and Corgy mixes in the picture).

I am easily saddened by the stories of animals who are mistreated, neglected, and abandoned. I have weaned myself off Animal Planet for this very reason, because of Animal Precinct and other shows that bring the plight of neglected animals to light and leave me very depressed. But this gala was a celebration of animals and a reminder that there are many, many people in the world who care deeply about the animals for whom we are responsible. It was healthy, positive passion and activism - the sort that wins people over instead of paralyzing them with guilt and sadness.