The ballroom at Wilson Creek Winery was filled with precious puppy models ready to take the runway. They were dressed to successfully melt hearts and ready for adoption at the Animal Friends of the Valleys Wines for Canines fundraiser Aug. 28.

About 275 attendees, including Pat Farmer, president of the Temecula Valley Woman's Club; Dee Sheridan; Sylvia J. Simmons, John Giardinelli, and Kelly Neavel, The Giardinelli Law Group; Vicki Timmins, First American Natural Hazard Disclosures; Sue Retchardt; Karen Snyder, Elsinore Water District; David and Linda Rogoff, Mona-vie; Annmarie Lopez; Joanne Castro-Hodge, Jewels by Park Lane; and Canyon Lake Mayor Nancy Horton, enjoyed their gourmet meals while the opera program with professional performances by Karyn Lea Drennen, Jan Milos, Dante Gumucio, Lorian Dunlop and John-David Weise brought cheers from the audience.

Willa Bagwell, executive director of Animal Friends of the Valleys, and Kris Anderson, Animal Friends board president, reviewed the organization's history, which started with five women and $1,500. The shelter now has 42 employees.

A short while later, Jeanette-Marie Bassi presented a $1,000 donation from the Temecula Valley Woman's Club.

Paul E. Jolly, executive director of the Petco Foundation, then took the stage and told a heartwarming story of how his terminally ill brother's puppy named Hope helped his family through tough times.

The guests didn't have to wait long for the main attraction. During the Fido Fashion Show, puppies were led onto the stage and audience members took note of the best fits for their families.

Kirsti Peffers, Animal Friends event and volunteer coordinator, led the raffle and live auction. Raffle winners included Steve and Debbie Kelly, who won a doggie bed and supplies; Sandy Wilks won six bottles of wine; Sheri Lawrence won the olives and olive oils basket; David Redfern won business supplies; Karen Kluver won the wine and movie basket; Bob and Sylvia Knight won a champagne and olive oil basket; and Jennifer Shreve won the Glen Ivy Spa package. Silent auction winners included Ted and Nancy Horton, who won the first African trip; Shirley White won a second African trip; Pat Farmer won a day at the horse races; Elaine Culverhouse won a handcrafted quilt; Sarah Gates won a doggie travel bag; Jude Donahue won Versace sunglasses and in the live auction Cheryl Serge, Stu Bail Bonds, won a yard debris container.

New puppy owners already in the puppy-adoption process included Sandy McAllister adopting Mimi; Leslea Pedersen adopting Cinnamon; and Rhonda Lynch, Jewels by Park Lane, adopting Missy for her aunt.

The proceeds from the event will be used to house and feed the animals at the shelter.