Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

Toby the chihuahua might have felt shy in his swimwear, so his modelling partner Roxanne bundled him up in her arms until they got to the end of the runway. Toby caught stage fright at the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Doggie Fashion Show. -Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Dovecakes, last year this time, it was more or less something of a novelty, you know, just another of those curious indulgences those of leisure always seem to find the time to indulge themselves and their pets in, as they while away the tedium of life in the big city, almost totally devoid of good quality entertainment.

Well, this may have been true if it weren't for the personalities involved. Kayleigh Malcolmson, head of the Jamaican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA),is an avid lover of animals. She is moreso a person dedicated to the task of seeing to the welfare of many strays and uncared for animals, particularly dogs that litter the streets of our nation. Then suddenly, that which was initially thought of as some kind of self-indulgent whim was no more so, but was a very serious attempt to raise funds to address the needs of the JSPCA.

And so, last year, the dedicated board and staff and volunteers of the JSPCA, under the able baton of Kayleigh Malcolmson, hosted its first Doggie Fashion Show. And sweet-things, a fabulous new trend in animal awareness and care was born.

Honeys, we are talking a completely sold-out affair with only the fabulous in attendance, with their prized pooches and some other exotic animals taking centre stage in what was truly one fabulous fashion show, and then some.

Imagine flawlessly groomed pedigree-pooches, reptiles, exotic birds and other such animals strutting their stuff, in the latest in animal couture, in an effort to raise funds for their less fortunate fellows from the four-legged, flying or slithering kingdom, and you know we are talking an engagingly fab event here!

Well, pumpkins, it was, and then some, as patrons were treated to a slew of prizes that included: all-inclusive weekends, gifts of premium wines, gift baskets and other spot prizes - all adding to an air of festivity and celebration that made for a smasheroni of a fabulous time!

Well, honeychiles, it's that time of the year again as, come Saturday, November 11, the JSPCA will be once again staging its hot Doggie Fashion Show at 107 Old Hope Road. Kayleigh Malcolmson is promising that if y'all enjoyed last year's event then do not this miss it this year, because not only is it going to be all that, it will be sensationally so!

Pumpkins, it's the hottest ticket, this here coming weekend so you know, this here scribe will be there!

Kingston Restaurant Week

And then, if y'all enjoyed last year's staging of the inaugural Kingston Restaurant Week (KRW), honeys, the fabulous Stephanie Scott, the very able conceptualiser of The Gleaner-sponsored and most timely event, is promising a more exciting event this year. And judging from all the invites and buzz around this year's staging, the lady is out front and centre with the good news of all the fine esoteric things to come!

Luvs, just got the proposed menu for KRW from the fabulous Palm Court restaurant in the Hilton Kingston hotel, and sweet things, Maitre D Leroy Myers is promising service beyond compare, and nothing but, to maintain the high standards of culinary fare Food and Beverage Manager Oliver Lavoine is promising for Restaurant Week.

And honeys, it not just the Palm Court that is promising to knock our shoes off with white-gloved service and flawless food, as indeed, the word from the oh so fabulous Betty Delfosse-Ingleton, is that, indeed, her Velisa's over there on Devon Road will be cooking like a house on fire, as it too readies its Restaurant Week menu, and children, y'all know, that there's absolutely no better fare to be had than that which is on offer over there at the tres chic Velisa's!

Mmm, mm! Yes, my dears, it's like that - mmm - good, and then some!

steaming for KRW

Well, not to be outdone, Rajiv Bakshi and his partner Anil Kapoor at the always happening Akbar complex, offering up both Thai and Indian cuisine, will be just as steaming for KRW, and dears, as my beloved grandma was always fond of opining: "If fish come from river bottom and inform you that shark dung dey, then believe," you know that this here scribe will take the word of these two famed restaurateurs - as they are promising a memorable fare, and as they have always delivered on their promises in the past, honeys, if no place else, then this here scribe will definitely be out enjoying the fine fare from these establishments during KRW, so on with the fast to accommodate this!

Then honeys, the alka seltzer! The alka seltzer, as indeed, that is what is most sorely needed to even the keel after last week's Halloween and anniversary celebrations at Hedonism II in fabulous Negril!

Oh mama mia and her cousin Esperanza, the gods of partydom are rejoicing 'cause surely, this was a triumph and then some, of the proportions of even which Emperor Caligula would have gone green with malicious envy, 'cause honeys, it was that hot!

Anyway, more definitely anon, 'cause honeys, this here scribe has seen the glory and honeys, it's no longer a question of to party or not to party, but when to party. And so we party on!

Scott