Astros’ ladies pose for pet charity in Chloe Dao clothes
Marcia Geary, Jessica Erstad, Dana Kohler, Lisa Brocail, Jill Borkowski and Brittany Towles, all Houston Astros wives and girlfriends, recently posed in the fashions of Chloe Dao, "Project Runway" winner to shoot a calendar benefiting the Spay and Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP). By Kim Hogstrom
Greater Houston Weekly
Baseball royalty, magnificent fashions and … homeless dogs?
“They are all so beautiful,” Jill Borkowski exclaims as she gingerly bends down in her Chloe Dao gown and reaches through the bars of the cage. Candy Cane, a big brindle dog of no discernable breed, gently licks Jill’s fingers in gratitude for the attention.
The fashions are indeed beautiful, but Borkowski isn’t referring to the dresses. She’s referring to the strange array of dogs waiting patiently for their respective close-ups. Big dogs, little dogs, white dogs, black dogs, freckled dogs.
Borkowski is an animal activist and the wife of Houston Astros pitcher Dave Borkowski. Together, they are the "parents" of three adopted pets. Baseball royalty, magnificent fashions and … homeless dogs?
“They are all so beautiful,” Jill Borkowski exclaims as she gingerly bends down in her Chloe Dao gown and reaches through the bars of the cage. Candy Cane, a big brindle dog of no discernable breed, gently licks Jill’s fingers in gratitude for the attention.
The fashions are indeed beautiful, but Borkowski isn’t referring to the dresses. She’s referring to the strange array of dogs waiting patiently for their respective close-ups. Big dogs, little dogs, white dogs, black dogs, freckled dogs.
Borkowski is an animal activist and the wife of Houston Astros pitcher Dave Borkowski. Together, they are the "parents" of three adopted pets. Baseball royalty, magnificent fashions and … homeless dogs?
“They are all so beautiful,” Jill Borkowski exclaims as she gingerly bends down in her Chloe Dao gown and reaches through the bars of the cage. Candy Cane, a big brindle dog of no discernable breed, gently licks Jill’s fingers in gratitude for the attention.
The fashions are indeed beautiful, but Borkowski isn’t referring to the dresses. She’s referring to the strange array of dogs waiting patiently for their respective close-ups. Big dogs, little dogs, white dogs, black dogs, freckled dogs.
Borkowski is an animal activist and the wife of Houston Astros pitcher Dave Borkowski. Together, they are the "parents" of three adopted pets. On this spring evening, she and five other Astro wives are having their photographs taken wearing magnificent gowns and posing with some of Houston’s homeless dogs. Professional baseball players’ wives in designer fashions sitting for shots with unwanted dogs? It’s an odd combination. Or is it?
Late last month, Jill Borkowski, Jessica Erstad, Marcia Geary, Dana Kohler (Brandon Backe’s longtime girlfriend) Lisa Brocail and Brittany Towles sat for photographs taken by photographer Brett Chisolm in his chic Heights studio. Each woman was carrying a purse from Elaine Turner and wearing a stunning evening design by Houston’s own Chloe Dao.
As some will remember, Dao won first place on the nationally syndicated TV show, “Project Runway.” The now-famous designer graciously offered to use her creations in photos to be assembled into an 18-month calendar, the proceeds of which will help stop animal suffering in our community.
“It’s very simple why I chose to help,” Dao explains. “I love people who love animals. This was the perfect opportunity. “With what appears to be limitless patience, Chisholm works magic as dogs fidget under the studio lights.
“It’s exciting to have the Astros wives join us in spreading the word,” the photographer says, barely looking up from his camera. “Each of the ladies is helping to raise awareness about spay/neuter issues and the importance of adoption."
The calendar is a project launched by the Spay and Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP). This Houston-based agency has a very austere mission – to prevent the suffering and death of cats and dogs due to overpopulation, especially in low-income areas.
While the mission may be simple, the task is anything but. An estimated 125,000 cats and dogs are euthanized in this city annually. All the animals appearing in the photo shoot with the Houston Astros wives are homeless pets from the nonprofit agency, Friends For Life (FFL). “Friends For Life is honored to be working with SNAP on this and we look forward to lots of instances in which we can move toward a no-kill future together,” states Salice Shuttlesworth, Founder and Director of Friends for Life.
“There are multiple components to achieving no-kill: good, low cost spay neuter clinics, shelters that redefine “adoptable” including animals older than five or those needing rehabilitation… Notably, it will also include the creation of humane education programs for both children and adults to change the perception that companion animals are disposable.”
We respect Shuttlesworth for her dream, but can it realistically be achieved? “Taking us to the level of a no-kill city will require cooperation. It’ll require a new and larger vision in which ending the lives of many of the animals that go through shelters is no longer acceptable practice.
“Those who tell you it can’t happen, can’t be done, are dinosaurs. Other cities have done it. Debating it is like debating the existence of chocolate chip cookies - we know they exist, we know the recipe and we know that it can be achieved in communities from San Francisco to Tompkins County, New York,” Shuttlesworth concludes.
Borkowski chimes in. "Think about this: Brett is taking photos, we're wearing Chloe’s beautiful fashions, carrying Elaine’s handbags and the Astros wives are working with SNAP and Friends For Life. This calendar really is a group effort.
“We think the teamwork on this project is a good reflection of what it's going to take to strike-out pet overpopulation. If everyone does their small part - whether it's one individual neutering their pet, or groups working together – we’ll see a significant reeducation in unwanted, homeless animals in our lifetime," she said.
As Chisholm’s lights flash and the camera snaps photos of a beautiful gown worn by the equally beautiful Marcia Geary, we notice something previously unnoticed. The sweet, nondescript black puppies by Geary’s side in the photo are also striking. The animals’ big brown eyes are now evident, their shiny coats glisten and their wispy tails wag with delight. It’s a moment that gives pause. Borkowski is right. These animals are beautiful.
For more information about SNAP or to order a calendar, please go to www.SNAPus.org. For more information about Friends For Life or to adopt an animal, please go to www.nokill1.org. Calendars will be available in July at many animal-friendly businesses in Houston. The cost is $30. Call (713) 807-1565 for more information.
Greater Houston Weekly
Baseball royalty, magnificent fashions and … homeless dogs?
“They are all so beautiful,” Jill Borkowski exclaims as she gingerly bends down in her Chloe Dao gown and reaches through the bars of the cage. Candy Cane, a big brindle dog of no discernable breed, gently licks Jill’s fingers in gratitude for the attention.
The fashions are indeed beautiful, but Borkowski isn’t referring to the dresses. She’s referring to the strange array of dogs waiting patiently for their respective close-ups. Big dogs, little dogs, white dogs, black dogs, freckled dogs.
Borkowski is an animal activist and the wife of Houston Astros pitcher Dave Borkowski. Together, they are the "parents" of three adopted pets. Baseball royalty, magnificent fashions and … homeless dogs?
“They are all so beautiful,” Jill Borkowski exclaims as she gingerly bends down in her Chloe Dao gown and reaches through the bars of the cage. Candy Cane, a big brindle dog of no discernable breed, gently licks Jill’s fingers in gratitude for the attention.
The fashions are indeed beautiful, but Borkowski isn’t referring to the dresses. She’s referring to the strange array of dogs waiting patiently for their respective close-ups. Big dogs, little dogs, white dogs, black dogs, freckled dogs.
Borkowski is an animal activist and the wife of Houston Astros pitcher Dave Borkowski. Together, they are the "parents" of three adopted pets. Baseball royalty, magnificent fashions and … homeless dogs?
“They are all so beautiful,” Jill Borkowski exclaims as she gingerly bends down in her Chloe Dao gown and reaches through the bars of the cage. Candy Cane, a big brindle dog of no discernable breed, gently licks Jill’s fingers in gratitude for the attention.
The fashions are indeed beautiful, but Borkowski isn’t referring to the dresses. She’s referring to the strange array of dogs waiting patiently for their respective close-ups. Big dogs, little dogs, white dogs, black dogs, freckled dogs.
Borkowski is an animal activist and the wife of Houston Astros pitcher Dave Borkowski. Together, they are the "parents" of three adopted pets. On this spring evening, she and five other Astro wives are having their photographs taken wearing magnificent gowns and posing with some of Houston’s homeless dogs. Professional baseball players’ wives in designer fashions sitting for shots with unwanted dogs? It’s an odd combination. Or is it?
Late last month, Jill Borkowski, Jessica Erstad, Marcia Geary, Dana Kohler (Brandon Backe’s longtime girlfriend) Lisa Brocail and Brittany Towles sat for photographs taken by photographer Brett Chisolm in his chic Heights studio. Each woman was carrying a purse from Elaine Turner and wearing a stunning evening design by Houston’s own Chloe Dao.
As some will remember, Dao won first place on the nationally syndicated TV show, “Project Runway.” The now-famous designer graciously offered to use her creations in photos to be assembled into an 18-month calendar, the proceeds of which will help stop animal suffering in our community.
“It’s very simple why I chose to help,” Dao explains. “I love people who love animals. This was the perfect opportunity. “With what appears to be limitless patience, Chisholm works magic as dogs fidget under the studio lights.
“It’s exciting to have the Astros wives join us in spreading the word,” the photographer says, barely looking up from his camera. “Each of the ladies is helping to raise awareness about spay/neuter issues and the importance of adoption."
The calendar is a project launched by the Spay and Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP). This Houston-based agency has a very austere mission – to prevent the suffering and death of cats and dogs due to overpopulation, especially in low-income areas.
While the mission may be simple, the task is anything but. An estimated 125,000 cats and dogs are euthanized in this city annually. All the animals appearing in the photo shoot with the Houston Astros wives are homeless pets from the nonprofit agency, Friends For Life (FFL). “Friends For Life is honored to be working with SNAP on this and we look forward to lots of instances in which we can move toward a no-kill future together,” states Salice Shuttlesworth, Founder and Director of Friends for Life.
“There are multiple components to achieving no-kill: good, low cost spay neuter clinics, shelters that redefine “adoptable” including animals older than five or those needing rehabilitation… Notably, it will also include the creation of humane education programs for both children and adults to change the perception that companion animals are disposable.”
We respect Shuttlesworth for her dream, but can it realistically be achieved? “Taking us to the level of a no-kill city will require cooperation. It’ll require a new and larger vision in which ending the lives of many of the animals that go through shelters is no longer acceptable practice.
“Those who tell you it can’t happen, can’t be done, are dinosaurs. Other cities have done it. Debating it is like debating the existence of chocolate chip cookies - we know they exist, we know the recipe and we know that it can be achieved in communities from San Francisco to Tompkins County, New York,” Shuttlesworth concludes.
Borkowski chimes in. "Think about this: Brett is taking photos, we're wearing Chloe’s beautiful fashions, carrying Elaine’s handbags and the Astros wives are working with SNAP and Friends For Life. This calendar really is a group effort.
“We think the teamwork on this project is a good reflection of what it's going to take to strike-out pet overpopulation. If everyone does their small part - whether it's one individual neutering their pet, or groups working together – we’ll see a significant reeducation in unwanted, homeless animals in our lifetime," she said.
As Chisholm’s lights flash and the camera snaps photos of a beautiful gown worn by the equally beautiful Marcia Geary, we notice something previously unnoticed. The sweet, nondescript black puppies by Geary’s side in the photo are also striking. The animals’ big brown eyes are now evident, their shiny coats glisten and their wispy tails wag with delight. It’s a moment that gives pause. Borkowski is right. These animals are beautiful.
For more information about SNAP or to order a calendar, please go to www.SNAPus.org. For more information about Friends For Life or to adopt an animal, please go to www.nokill1.org. Calendars will be available in July at many animal-friendly businesses in Houston. The cost is $30. Call (713) 807-1565 for more information.
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