should be considered a great honor just to be photographed by him. When dinner was finally served, some impromptu security had to be set up for the dogs so they could get some rest and the Gordons could eat. Laura says, “The dinner was wonderful, and the Saints were served water that came in wine bottles. During dinner we sat with the AMC staff while images of rescued animals as well as pictures of Rosie and Clarence at Newtown were featured on a giant screen.” The Awards ceremony began with a short speech by Kathryn Coyne, the CEO of the Animal Medical Center. Barbara Walters was introduced first. Then it was the Gordon’s turn with precious Rosie and cute Clarence. A brief biography was presented and as they made their way to the stage to accept their crystal awards, they were amazed to see all 500 guests rise to give the dogs a standing ovation. Later they were told by multiple people that this was the first time in the award’s history that anyone had received a standing ovation. Bill says, “Needless to say, we were very humbled and honored.” Bystanders on the walkway outside the restaurant were also taking pictures of the Saints through the windows as the evening continued with more interviews, more photographers and more paw-shakes. But the celebrations and festivities didn’t end here. “The most fun we had during the week was visiting FAO Schwartz during the Christmas season,” says Bill. “Both Saints got to play on their big piano! Then we had a tour of Trump Plaza as well as Rockefeller Center which during Christmas with Saint Bernards was really quite a treat. We were also extremely honored to be given a private tour with Rosie and Clarence of course, of the 911 Memorial. This was quite an experience, too.” They also had been invited to attend the historical daily ritual of the closing bell ringing ceremony for NASDAQ at the New York Stock Exchange. From Bill, “This was most certainly a once in a lifetime experience. As soon as
“Times Square is always so crowded anyway and hectic but now we were swarmed by more people as they saw the dogs up on the screen and then here the Saints were, right in person.”
we got out of the van in the center of the famed Times Square, we were mobbed by people. There was a lot of construction going on in front of the NASDAQ building, and of course everyone had to go through serious security to get in, but not us because we had Rosie and Clarence. We were ushered right in and this is where we had to say our good byes to the AMC staff who had been with us all week. Instead of being on the actual floor of the NYSE, we were in a television studio looking down on the floor. “We were brought on stage for photos, and I must say, the dogs seemed to be still enjoying the attention. The Vice President of NASDAQ came out and dropped to his knees and started playing with the dogs. One of the female NASDAQ staffers kissed Clarence, leaving perfect lipstick prints on his white flews! A big tour group came in and there was a big count down to the bell ringing, 4…3…2…1, then the CEO of the AMC pressed a big square button which rang
the historic bell, which I didn’t actually hear. Then we had to stand there for a couple minutes on the stage, smiling and waving. “The NASDAQ staff then brought us out to Times Square to have more pictures taken. That was when we looked up and saw Rosie’s 9 story nose on the Jumbotron! “Times Square is always so crowded anyway and hectic but now we were swarmed by more people as they saw the dogs up on the screen and then here the Saints were, right in person. Our security people were really working to keep everyone under control, making a big circle around us, telling people to move away. We normally don’t mind strangers petting the dogs but this was really crazy with the construction and the crowds. Security was protecting us but I noticed there was one family with a child with hospital masks on. “They said they were from Korea and asked for a picture with the Saints. So I reached for the child’s hand and pulled her past security so she could meet Rosie and Clarence with the mother taking photos. They were very appreciative. We were then rushed back into the building and we had to wait for the van by a loading door. Security stayed really tight and they wouldn’t even allow other NASDAQ employees near us again. Once the van arrived, security personnel burst the doors open and rushed us to the van, not even allowing the driver to open the door and we all jumped in. “We felt like rock stars! As we drove away we could still see the giant Jumbotron pictures of the dogs. It was pretty cool, a totally unbelievable once in a lifetime experience. When we got home, I had recorded some of the news stations, and we heard the FOX News Host talking about the Saints and the kegs. We will never forget any of this. Rosie and Clarence lived up to the Saint Bernard legacy, and are now enjoying some well deserved snooze time!” Dog News 79