Putting on a suit and disco dancing for the dogs (and cats, too!)

Andrew Levine of Baltimore Humane Society invites Nestor to Black Tie And Tails to benefit the beautiful creatures

SUMMARY KEYWORDS

dogs, animals, cats, people, pet, love, event, baltimore, humane, wife, beltway, blankets, shelter, adopt, humane society, good, area, friends, living embodiment, tuxedos

SPEAKERS

Andrew Levine, Nestor J. Aparicio

Nestor J. Aparicio  00:01

Welcome home, we are WNS TA in 1570, Towson, Baltimore and Baltimore positive, this is going to be fun one. Any of you who know of me know of my love of animals, if you follow me on social media, certainly my wife is the prime mover of all of our love of animal arry. And we try to do as much as we can around here we did our cup of Super Bowl. Back in February, we talked about animals, and we did things up for show your soft side, there’s another animal event coming up. And these are the folks were my wife and I’ve gotten both of our cats in the Baltimore Humane Society. And you live he joins us right now. He’s the president of their outfit in organization. And I’ve been to outdoor events, indoor events, pre COVID events during COVID events, virtual events, we got back doing the outside in the in the fall time. But here in the spring, we gather and usually Jamie Costello, my old pal as a part of things and we get dressed up and you know, I have a cat catch. They’ll travel like dogs, Andrew, but I know you have dogs and your dogs will be doing the highfalutin thing up in Hunt Valley here next week. As we bring folks together. It is good to have you back on how our thanks to Baltimore Humane Society.

8

Andrew Levine  01:14

We are doing really well thank you. You know, it’s all about the animals. That’s what it is, you know, we wish that the adoption rate was a little higher. It was so busy during COVID Obviously, sadly, you know, reality strikes and some people start to return the pets after after COVID. But they’re a bit slower right now. But hopefully they’ll pick back up for both dogs and cats. We have some beautiful animals. They’re super friendly, great family pets. They’re just waiting for homes.

Nestor J. Aparicio  01:46

Well, and I you know, I’ve been that guy out there. with trepidation about 15 years ago with my wife. She wanted a cat. I did not. I didn’t it was a responsibility issue for me from more than anything else. I mean, I had a kid when I was 15. As you’ll find out if you’ve watched my 25th anniversary documentary that’s coming out next week about my life. My life’s been about responsibility and taking care of things. I had never really measured the love and measure the companionship and measured what that responsibility would entail. Cleaning boxes, caring for an animal losing our animal our first animal that we adopted from you when she was six when we adopted her and loved her. And then when she died I was crushed and 13 days later I found myself in cages back out on Nicodemus road and your facility. I came very close to adopting a Mother Son combination cat and we didn’t and literally looked at a cage in your facility and saw the tiniest little kitten probably about the size of these of these reading glasses. And I held her in my hands and she kissed my nose and she’s in the other room right now napping. And you know we love Nalo Kitty was our first cat so from an experience and telling the story I am the living embodiment my wife and I are the living embodiment of exactly what you’re looking for somebody to come out and adopt an animal and take that animal home and for five years 10 years 20 years love that animal but understanding that animal is going to bring something to you that are bred Hollander carrying on the other night during the dogs and cats. They by the way, the Oreos have a press credential for Brett Hollanders dog but not for me yet we’ll see I’m under review. But But loving an animal and what that brings to somebody that it changes your life.

Andrew Levine  03:42

They are family. And you know, that’s the fact and you adopt them and they call them you know, forever homes or pet parents we call him Paul rinse. P Aw. It’s just something that you know, I really don’t know many people that are not animal lovers. But even some that aren’t so much once they have an animal they said I don’t know how I live without an animal all these years. You know they’re your companion there by your side constantly. You know my wife and I are watching whether it’s an Oriole game Raven gate with they’re in your lap. Now we’ve never in 85 pound the pop icon but you know, he’s a mutt. He just happens to lie on the couch right in our lap for watching the game. They want to be there with you.

Nestor J. Aparicio  04:35

8

I like much by the way, because I’m one of them. Yeah, right. I’m

Andrew Levine  04:39

right there with you. So you know, there’s kind of an old joke that we say. They said feeds back your companion in the trunk of a car with a dog. Come back an hour later and open the trunk who’s going to be happy to see it.

Nestor J. Aparicio  04:55

Good point. That’s, that’s

Andrew Levine  04:57

kind of funny. But anyway, you know, they’re all He’s happy, they just want to be with you. And they’re your family. I mean, they sleep in bed with us. I mean, they’re just always by your side, when we sometimes want to go on vacations, when we just feel bad, we just rather be home with the dogs. So, you know, it is what it is. And life is great with it. And, you know, they’re your, they’re your forever friends, and they will do anything for you. But, you know, the shelter itself, were Obion or 98th year was founded by a wonderful woman, Elsie Barton. What people don’t know about the Humane Society is that we’re Greenspring Avenue on the beltway is, is located right at that exit, is where her family farm and the shelter used to be. And they, when the state wanted to build the beltway, they swapped the property that we’re on now with that area, to build the beltway. Wow.

8

Nestor J. Aparicio  05:55

You know, I always think when I’m out on the beltway, and we talked about the Key Bridge, so much in my side of town, and Dundalk, and, you know, all of that land, what was sitting there in 1940, whatever, when they decided 50, whatever, to build the beltway. So that’s part of the history of Baltimore. Really,

Andrew Levine  06:11

right. It really as it’s pretty amazing in our founder, me, she was run 365 acre Wildlife Preserve. And it’s really beautiful area, we encourage volunteers to come out and good. We go through a training process, but they walk the dogs through trails out in the in land, it’s really fabulous. And, you know, our cattery we’re going to be updating our cattery. And that too, I mean, the at the we’re doing everything we can, on a continuous basis, just to make life better for the for the animals. And we always say if you’re going to be a homeless pet, we’re the place to be at, we even have a swimming pool for the dogs to enjoy. And so we can we also have an area that we do rehab. So the bottom line is, you know, we’ll do everything we have to to get an animal adopted. And that’s how that’s what we’re all about. And we also have a pet cemetery that people don’t know about. You know, that’s why I

Nestor J. Aparicio  07:09

know about it, because I come out in the fall when you have the, you know, you have a big, big event every fall. We’re going to talk about your spring event, people can participate here next week or two. But I mean, I’m familiar with your land out there. It really is. It’s a beautiful place to spend the day especially if you love animals, and, and on that day, everybody’s got their dogs outside. It’s just a big party.

Andrew Levine  07:31

8

It’s it’s a lot of fun. And that’s what it is. That’s why every event that we do, we include the animals, you know, and people love to bring their animals. So we did one year ago called Cat Seino. For the cats. Nobody brought their cats. Yeah,

Nestor J. Aparicio  07:48

that’s a day cats. Yes, she she doesn’t like she associates getting in the car with going to the vet. I gotta be honest with you. And she was a fetus here. He is the president of the Baltimore Sun. Tell everybody about your event coming up here because I’ve been but it’s been a number. It’s probably been 10 years. We attended the event one night, it was up in Hunt Valley at the lodge. Lots of dogs, lots of tuxedos. Lots of great food. Lots of nice people. I do remember hanging out with Jamie Costello and his wife and having a good time that night. That’s right.

Andrew Levine  08:16

So it’s called black tie and tails tails board as you bring your dog. And this year is a disco theme. So we’ll have I don’t

Nestor J. Aparicio  08:26

have anything to wear for something like that. Andrew, right.

8

Andrew Levine  08:28

I know you’ll have it you can you have it? Well,

Nestor J. Aparicio  08:32

closets from 1978. Man, come on.

Andrew Levine  08:34

I know I you know, Tony Monera

Nestor J. Aparicio  08:37

8

wouldn’t wear it. I don’t own it.

Andrew Levine  08:40

Gotta get you true. Some platforms. So yeah, so this year, so it’s there. It’s our formal event. It’s an annual gala. And people bring their dogs not everybody and they bring them dressed up also so the attire will be disco. And

Nestor J. Aparicio  08:56

dog after like Donna Summer. Absolutely. Donna Summer. I was gonna make a Cat Stevens joke here, but I’m gonna leave that.

Andrew Levine  09:05

Okay, I’m good with that. I like it. Steven jokes.

8

Nestor J. Aparicio  09:10

Well, I mean, you know, this goes fun for everybody. I mean, you say disco and so people were like, Man, I’m like, why don’t want to party with you. Anyway, if you don’t like this go, I don’t want to know you. I mean seriously. I don’t want to definitely don’t wanna dance with you. For sure.

Andrew Levine  09:21

There’ll be some white suits, I’m sure. Well,

Nestor J. Aparicio  09:24

and some beautiful dogs, black dogs, white dogs, brown dogs, gray dogs. You know that it is a little bit when I’ve gone because I’ve seen Best in Show. Um, there’s some comedy involved in the Best in Show because some people will be feeding their dogs right from the tape. You know, like people. Everybody has a different thing with their dog like my cat. We generally she doesn’t dine with us. But we got a new thing. She was afraid of the basement when we moved. Two years ago she had never seen steps. So it took her a year and a half and us going to Hawaii for We’re here to explore the basement. Now the basement is where we generally eat dinner. And we add two chairs. My wife literally brought a chair. So our cat, she does not eat from the table with us. She has dinner with us and sits with us. She doesn’t beg for food or anything. She just wants to be with us while we’re having she wants to be involved. Now, she will like a little avocado, she’s really into, you know, like into guacamole. But other than that, unless it’s chicken or salmon. She doesn’t want to be involved in it. But she does have dinner with us. So I would think you’ll see people with interact with their dogs and it’s just a beautiful thing. Especially indoor, it’s different than dog park. It’s a little different when everybody’s in tuxedos in like Donna Summers playing right?

Andrew Levine  10:45

8

Back. There’s no doubt about it. Yeah, we all feed the dogs from the table pretty much. So yeah, and they’re well behaved. That’s the beauty of it. So it’s, the event is on April 26. It’s a Friday night, April 26 At six o’clock at the Hunt Valley Lodge, there are still tickets available. And if you don’t want to bring your dog you don’t have to. But you do need to have your if you bring your dog you just need to bring your rabies certificate so we have that on file that’s a requirement. The people some of the people may need their own rabies certificates for themselves but who knows?

Nestor J. Aparicio  11:23

Good time to get an update if you don’t have it, right. Oh yeah,

Andrew Levine  11:28

no doubt about it. But yeah, so the event and you can buy him online at the shell on our on our website, which is being more humane.org So it’d be more like the nickname for Baltimore letter be the word more and be more humane.org So the name goes pretty well because the more humane and that’s who we are. But the the event is just a lot of fun. It’s enjoyable. You don’t have to be on your best manners because you know that’s the whole point even though it’s a dress up for the event everyone’s just to be hanging out have a good time and just enjoy the ones that get the attention are all the animals I mean people oh my goodness and people have their pictures of their pets on their phones. No one even shows the two legged creatures their own kids you know everyone’s just sharing pictures of their own of their pets and that’s what it’s about. It’s the celebration of animals and it’s just a good time to enjoy and it is a sit down dinner but yeah, it’s just a lot of fun there’s dancing we do have a silent auction and we have a live auction also says a lot of fun stuff that people could buy at the event and but

Nestor J. Aparicio  12:37

Super Bowl trophy behind you know it’s not for sale no it’s not football season but you’re doing this right in the middle of the draft right literally draft night.

8

Andrew Levine  12:47

We are and that’s okay, you know listen,

Nestor J. Aparicio  12:51

we got the WSD tech service to pick give you the picks no problem come out with the dogs next Friday night that draft knock when it’s over you Oreos play to where dad faintly so on that Friday as well. I’m a cobalt Baron and pet some of the dogs and see if you got some Dalmatians up there for me or something. Absolutely

Andrew Levine  13:09

you know yeah, I’ll check your ticker I you know, I’ll have my comments about the you know, the drill I respond to your to your your Facebook page and oh, I

Nestor J. Aparicio  13:22

8

know to put it sports season man, you got baseball and football and dogs and cats and all of it’s happening, be more humane they got the black tie, that’s where we dress up and tail that’s where you bring your dog it’s going to be next week. The 26th on Friday night, you can get more details so I’ll have it out on my social media as well because I love the folks to be more humane. I’m the one that yelled at interested you got to come on and promote this thing with me because we didn’t have you on to a couple of Super Bowl. So I want to ask you this as a parting shot because my wife loves animals loves to do things with animals. There’s so many opportunities now to not just adopt but also foster. I have a lot of friends in my life that foster dogs getting them to other homes I have friends that fly to other places and fly dogs in and and try to save animals everywhere. I would just say for you guys things you need. My wife always thinks about. Well I have a blanket I want to donate that or I have a box I want to donate this are things for cats things for dogs. What can people donate other than dollars or things around the house that help a shelter like be more humane,

Andrew Levine  14:28

lots of blankets because we every day, twice a day we put out bedding or the dogs and cats.

Nestor J. Aparicio  14:35

So blankets are always helpful. Good enough

Andrew Levine  14:39

blankets, bleach, we always use bleach, cleaning supplies and one thing that is very important we also have a food bank, a pet food bank, at the shelter and for we do everything we can so people don’t have to give up their pets and economy wise people are kind of struggling It’s it’s an issue. So we if you have unopened pet food cat food can particularly bring it up we have an area you can drop it off at. And we have a storage area. When you pull into the shelter and people

8

Nestor J. Aparicio  15:16

want an animal love an animal, I can’t afford an animal that’s just that’s breaks my heart, you know, yeah.

Andrew Levine  15:21

And we do everything we can in our behalf to help them not not give up their pet. So we will help them we have a pet food bank where people give lots of food, and it’s there to take for people who can’t afford to feed the pet or they’re struggling. That’s also our Veterinary Center, we have a spay neuter center, and it is a lower cost spay neuter center and we have a Wellness Center. So if people are struggling with vet costs, our costs are lower. We’re not there to compete with veterinarians, but we’re there to help people who really can’t afford the veterinarian fees, the standard fees and that’s part of our mission to help those also. So it’s not just about adoptions. It’s also about taking care of your pet on a daily basis. And that’s what we what we’re all about. It’s really a whole package. So we always say from beginning to end, from adoption to our pet cemetery but in between we have the veterinary services and of course if they need food, we have the pet food bank available.

Nestor J. Aparicio  16:29

He is here he is the president of the Baltimore humane society we call it be more humane they’re having their tails, black tie and tails and we get that right for the 26th that is on Friday night second out of the draft aser and tan Forget about all that come on out. Love up the dogs all night long. Even if you don’t have a dog go spend a night with a bunch of dogs you’ll want one if you come out and our friends are bottom remain side you know how to get you one people want to adopt all they got to do is come out, you know, say it’s nice and easy and call out at a time you can go online and see the animals it’s sort of like dating almost like you look and see and satellite like this is an idea. This is temperament all the come meet the animal and I promise you change your life. And my little girls asleep right now or I bring her on a set. We don’t want to bother her right now because she’s getting her beauty rest with her beautiful green eyes. So everybody that knows me knows I love my cat so you can see my cat and all the other people’s animals. I shared a video this morning of Thomas Dolby, my musician buddy she blinded me with science and my pal he lives here he had a he had a car that had it was was a driverless car that stopped for a family of baby foxes. Just here in Baltimore just driving through the park and Baltimore on he had a video of it’s stunning. So we love animals around here. We want to keep more alive take good care of them. And you can take good care of the folks at Baltimore humane but blankets donations, buying a big ticket for the black tie entails supporting that having a great meal taking your special loved one as well as your dog off to Hunt Valley next week. And you that do a good job promoting the Baltimore Humane Society for you.

Andrew Levine  18:06

8

You do always do a fabulous job and it is appreciated very much more importantly the animals appreciate it. Speaking of minor well I have a little Pomeranian barking at the

Nestor J. Aparicio  18:20

pitbulls see I have Leonard Raskin, Raskin global he has the Great Pyrenees he has this, this Sasquatch of a dog this huge dog that barks comes on the show. So we I get I know all of my friends dogs and cats names. So that’s that’s that’s the basis I’m on now. That’s a much more intimate relationship because we all know we love our animals. So get out support Baltimore’s made side and make sure we’re taking care of the animal and get your dogs and cats I feel like Bob Barker, but get him spayed, neutered, make sure we’re doing all the right things around your love and up the animals. I am Nestor we are wn st am 1570, Towson Baltimore. We never stop talking Baltimore. Positive