A delightful day for divas and dogs in Lakewood Ranch

By Madison Bierl
| 10:00 a.m. March 30, 2025

Susan Giroux holds a photo of a senior dog while stressing to the audience to consider adopting older dogs, not just puppies.

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In the business of saving animals, The Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch doesn't concentrate on taking the "perfect" dogs.

"Maybe there's 10 dogs, and one of them has a life-threatening problem, a leg that needs removal or something,” said Susan Giroux, the Divas and Dogs event chair. “We will take that dog."

That leads to an above-and-beyond effort that needs to be supported by fundraisers, such as the annual "Divas and Dogs" event that was held March 28 at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.

Divas and Dogs is the nonprofit's major fundraiser that allows it to save dogs, cats and bunnies in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties.

Giroux has been the chair for the last six years. There are 18 volunteers who have been working and planning Divas and Dogs since Jan. 15.

Giroux thanked Lakewood Ranch Country Club for hosting the luncheon.

“They work very hard to put it all together for us, and it's a lovely day,” Giroux said.

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Eight local women volunteered to be models in the fashion show portion of the event, sporting looks by Sun Bug and Twist Boutique.

Giroux said it is almost never the animal’s fault they end up without a home. They are either “lost, relinquished because someone's died, or someone just can't financially keep them.”

She stresses The Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch won't let its animals go just anywhere after the shelter.

“We want them to have a good life, a forever home,” Giroux said.

To support The Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch, go to HSLWR.org.

Rigo has been at the shelter for a month. He loves being petted and is a true gentle giant.

Des, a 2-year-old Chihuahua mix, greets the crowd at Divas and Dogs.

Alice Busch carries Bentley into Divas and Dogs as volunteer Evelyn Hernandez looks on.

Laurie Zelen shows off a furry friend on her shoulder as she arrives at Divas and Dogs along with Dianne Frestel.

Des, who was found as a stray, goes to Divas and Dogs with the hope of finding a forever home.

Evelyn Hernandez, Morgan Tinl, Lucy Kisela, Dani Ziegler, and Mora Jordan pose with shelter dogs Des and Rigo.

Stacey Clevenger, a volunteer of 10 years and Stephanie Little, a volunteer of 13 years, help make Divas and Dogs successful.

Divas and Dogs guests Cindy Pietsch, Jane Lesko, Jill Wellinger, Terri Rampinelli and Chris Elder.

Susan Hendrix, Sue Tankersley and Jan Martin are dressed for the occasion at Divas and Dogs.

Kelly Colbert and Chloe Rusek stand at a table where guests guess how many pearls are in the jar.

Back row, Debbie Urban, Ellen Moore, and Kathy Hunt, attend Divas and Dogs along with, front row, Susan Hendrix, Sue Tankersley and Jan Martin.

Susan Jenkins makes a bright statement during the Divas and Dogs fashion show.

Model Suzy Wojcik goes above the crowd to model a fashion at Divas and Dogs.

Model Jill Wellinger enjoys her walk during the Divas and Dogs fashion show.

Jeff Nicholas gives Denise Little a helping hand after her turn as a fashion model during Divas and Dogs.

Model Cathy Adragna walks the runway during the Divas and Dogs fashion show.

Susan Giroux, the Divas and Dogs chair, congratulates Vicki Fitzgerald, who won the golden pearl contest and a $500 reward.

author

Madison Bierl

Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter for the East County Observer. She grew up in Iowa and studied at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University.