“For the first time, dogs will be celebrated for their work in entertainment, health services and the military, along with everyday dogs who found fame on the internet,” the network stated in a press release last July.
The show, hosted by George Lopez, was taped Saturday afternoon in the appropriately named Barker Hangar at Santa Monica Airport. (This seems to be a pawpular venue for canine-related shows. “FOX’s Cause for Paws,” which aired on Thanksgiving last year, was also taped there.)
“The dogs and their humans walked down a green carpet and paused for photos ops and questions,” writes Juliet Bennett Rylah on LAist.com, which published plenty of those photos.
During the ceremony, winners received edible awards in categories ranging from “Best in Film,” to “Celebrity Dog Selfie,” to a “Most Dog-Like Cat” award for a feline. People were asked to vote for their favorites in each category from Dec. 15 to Jan. 9.
Four honorary awards were also presented:
- Dog’s Best Friend: Presented by the ASPCA, this award will go to a celebrity who has advanced the welfare of homeless dogs and dog-related causes.
- K911: Presented by Subaru, this award will go to a dog who’s an everyday superhero for helping to save a child’s life.
- “The Dog’s Life” Achievement Award: Awarded to an iconic dog character in popular culture who has had a huge cultural impact.
- Underdog: This honor will be bestowed upon a dog who overcame incredible obstacles or odds.
Among the celebrities scheduled to appear at the WDAs were Ian Somerhalder, Lance Bass, Lisa Vanderpump and Andy Cohen.
“We also saw Paris Hilton’s new dog, which is said to have cost $25,000 and fits in the palm of her hand,” Rylah writes.
Ugh. Hopefully there was an award for “Dog Mom Who Really Should Adopt Instead of Buy.”
The World Dog Awards was produced in conjunction with and for the benefit of the ASPCA and the PEDIGREE Foundation. The show airs Thursday at 8 p.m. (7 p.m. CT) on The CW.