Haute Dogs

“Who let the dogs out?” joked Jane Lynch, as the classic tune played out over the crowd.

At the Rosewood Miramar Beach, the answer was more than 40 contenders, taking over the Great Lawn for the fifth annual “Best in Show,” benefiting Santa Barbara Humane.

Celebrity hosts Jane – star of Christopher Guest’s cult classic Best in Show – and photographer Gray Malin presided over the proceedings. Jane, returning for her third year, admitted, “I love this event, I would come to it even if I weren’t hosting it!”

Local designer Penny Bianchi entered her adopted dog, Peuget. When Jane asked whether he could do any tricks, Penny deadpanned, “Sure, Jane, he can sit!” Later she added sincerely, “I adopted my lovely little dog last year, and I’m here to support SB Humane – the benefits of adopting are on both sides of the leash.”

Best Trick went to Murphington, jumping up with owner Heather Usiski. Best Look belonged to Lucy, sporting a tiny red beret and French outfit, matching owners Lori Woldar and Frank Moldovan, plus a collar from Switzerland. Très chic, indeed.

Spectators’ Choice went to Moose, a charming German shepherd owned by Connor McManigal.

But Best in Show belonged to Chance. The Rogers family of Austin, Texas, arrived in matching custom satin pajamas covered with Chance’s picture. Young Brady Rogers celebrated the win with a perfect plan: “I’m going to celebrate by ordering a lot of room service.” 

Santa Barbara Humane CEO Kerri Burns served as a judge, with entry proceeds supporting adoptions, the pet-food pantry and other local programs.

At the Miramar, every dog really does have its day – preferably with a beret, satin pajamas and room service. 

Sightings

Taylor Swift may be the next superstar with Montecito on her real-estate wish list. Internet chatter has the pop megastar and Travis Kelce reportedly eyeing homes in our rarefied enclave… Oprah Winfrey stepped out with Stedman Graham for a joyful 15-year reunion of The Oprah Winfrey Show family at Navy Pier in Chicago, marking a rare appearance together as the show approaches its 40th anniversary… Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau turned a Montreal hardware store into an impromptu dance party when Trudeau’s son Xavier’s new single, Downtown, came over the radio. Trudeau broke into some decidedly dad-like moves in the aisle – with a toilet plunger making a cameo… Rob Lowe has fans buzzing with a mysterious new Netflix venture: “I’m very excited about it. I wish I could talk about it, but it’s a very big project.” He’ll also star in Netflix’s In a Holidaze, based on the bestselling BookTok romance by Christina Lauren, alongside Maddie Ziegler – and returns to host Season 6 of Fox’s The Floor on September 23, calling the game “trivia meets a turf war.”

From Richard and friends to all of you… Pip! Pip!