The second annual Applause for Paws fundraiser is set for Aug. 19, at the RiverMill Event Centre. Guests will be treated to an evening of food, cocktails and entertainment provided by some talented canine performers and their human “parents.” Visit pawshumane.org/applause to vote for your favorite talent teams, buy tickets or learn more.

David Rayfield and U.B., who is believed to be part pug, part Brussels griffon, and part opossum, are still “perfecting” their talent.

If it seems like they’ve gotten off to a slow start, there’s a good reason.

Eight-year-old U.B. thought he was entering a beauty pageant. While his unique look (check out his glamour shot at pawshumane.org/applause) leaves him unlikely to be mistaken for a dog-show contestant, U.B. has his own special style.

“He’s very charming,” Rayfield said.

U.B. put this charm to use when he meet David and his wife Stuart who welcomed U.B. into their home 7 1/2 years ago, saving him from the streets of Phenix City where he’d been found wondering.

U.B. now shares his human parents with the Rayfield’s daughters Vivian, 6, and Celia, 4.

While it was tough at first for U.B. to have competition for David and Stuart’s attention, once the girls started eating table food, a harmonious relationship developed.

“He’s sill pretty well spoiled,” David promised.

As far as rehearsals go, David said he and U.B. still have a few things to work out. “If I could get him to sit, I’d be doing good,” he said. “Maybe we’ll just get him on stage and let him be viewed.”

Dog and daughter

Turner Moshell and his 4-year-old black Labrador, Dakota, will be joined on stage by 4-year-old Lily, the daughter of Turner and wife Michele.

“I don’t want to give away too much,” Turner said. Though he did reveal that Lily is particularly committed to figuring out her perfect costume.

Meanwhile Dakota, who was born on W.C. Bradley farms under the professional care of Mike Philips, has been honing her retrieving skills.

The experienced hunting dog will demonstrate a few tricks that have helped her exceed her owners’ high expectations both in the field and in the living room.

“At home she’s as laid back and sweet as they come,” Turner said.

Michele and Turner have been thrilled with the special bond that’s developed between Dakota and their family.

Turner feels honored to be invited to participate in the fundraiser. “I’m a strong supporter of the outdoors and of animals and I love to give back to things that have been important to me,” he said.

“I can’t think of a better way to give back to an animal who has definitely lived up to the saying ‘Mans best friend’,” Turner wrote in his online bio.

An obedient shepherd

When asked what talent Tom Boers and his 4-year-old German Shepherd, Misha, would be performing, Boers responded, “That’s a good question.”

An avid fan of Cesar Millan, a TV personality and dog behavior specialist, Boers has been training Misha in obedience. It’s likely Misha will put her training to use on stage. She might even have a prop, her favorite tennis ball.

Of course, there’s another scenario that Boers must consider. “She might not decide to do anything on that given day.”

Misha has been with Boers since she was a puppy. “She’s the third girl in the family,” Boers said. In fact some of Misha’s behaviors remind Boers of his daughters Colby, 25, and Catlin, 23 “It’s amazing how they have their character and how they learn what they can get away with it, just like kids,” he said.

Boers said things weren’t immediately easy with Misha. “This dog has a lot of energy,” he confesses. But learning to treat Misha like a dog and not like a child helped dog and owner find a healthy balance. “You have to be quite stern with them and the moment you give them guidance they become good dogs... She likes somebody telling her what to do, we just hope that she’ll listen on Friday (Aug. 19) night. In front of that many people, you never know how a dog will react or how I’ll react for that matter,” Boers said.

No matter what happens at the competition, Boers and Misha are happy to support Paws Humane. “They do a wonderful job. They’re an advocate for animals. We, as people, have to be a whole lot more responsible for what happens to animals,” Boers said.

When they’re not in the Applause for Paws spotlight, Boers and Misha can be spotted walking around their neighborhood.

“She loves to walk. She’s my treadmill,” Boers said.

A country gal

Peggy Gray will perform with her 1-year-old Yorkshire Terrier Lezay Chabot Zupan Gray.

“She is small in stature, but large in personality,” Gray said.

Despite her French name Lezay is no “fru-fru” Yorkie. This “country girl” is from Pittsview, Alabama, and she loves the outdoors.

“She makes her rounds every day – running in the pasture, nipping at horses’ hooves, digging under the chicken pen, visiting the rooster and hens, barking at the bird dog pens, and in general, terrorizing them all. She is like a cat with nine lives and has already used up a few!” Gray wrote in her online bio.

Gray is counting on Lezay’s feisty attitude to come through in the talent contest.

The fundraiser

The event raises money to help Paws fulfill its mission “to prevent overpopulation and suffering of companion animals, to teach kindness and responsibility toward them, and to promote the remarkable capacity of pets to enrich human lives through pet-assisted therapy programs.”

Paws is a no-kill shelter so animals who find refuge within its walls have no fear of euthanasia. However, the sad reality of many of America’s shelter animals is never far from the minds of Paws workers and volunteers. The shelter works -- and shares grounds -- with Columbus Animal Care and Control which takes in the city’s homeless animals.

The Humane Society of the United States estimates that of the 6 to 8 million dogs and cats who appear at animal shelters across the nation each year, 3 to 4 million are euthanized.

When Paws is able to place an animal in a “forever” home, a new spot is open to rescue another homeless animal.

This year’s event features new talent on stage and a new panel of judges to critique and praise the performers.

Paws executive director Bob Robbins is excited about this year’s talent teams. “The connection between the owner and the pet is what really counts,” he said.

A special children’s section will be added to this year’s event and guests will have a chance to bid on luxury items and trips in the silent auction. Videos of adoptable pets will be shown throughout the evening and one special animal will be part of the auction.

Guests are encouraged to vote for their favorite talent acts. Each vote costs $1. Even if you can’t attend the event, you can still vote. Advance voting has already begun online at pawshumane.org and fans are encouraged to vote as many times as they want.

Becky Miller, director of marketing at PAWS Humane, encourages animal lovers to visit the facility. The main purpose of Paws is to place animals in “forever” homes where they’ll get the care and love they crave, but PAWS also offers foster opportunities for families who aren’t able to provide a permanent home for a dog or cat. Becky says military families make great foster homes.

Volunteers are always needed and welcome at PAWS, she said.

Visit pawshumane.org/applause to vote for your favorite talent teams, buy tickets or learn more.