Paparazzi: Fashion for Paws Models Charlie Martel and Shantih
For those that do not know what Fashion for Paws is, it’s an annual runway show (held every April), where those invited to participate in fundraising, have a chance to walk the runway with a pup in tow. Each year, the event gets bigger… and so do the donations, making it more and more challenging for the models to raise the funds needed to walk the (ahem) catwalk.
As with every year, plenty of female models clamor to nab a spot, with not as many men participating. This year, there is a new male candidate, whose rescue husky happens to be a veteran. His name is Charlie Martel and his dog’s name is Shantih.
I decided to interview Charlie, not only because he is a dear friend but because he is a great example of what this event is all about – helping animals find homes so they can live happy and healthy lives.
1. This is your first year modeling in Fashion for Paws but not Shantih’s first year. Who is more nervous?
Me, by a long shot 
Shantih rocked the runway last year, struck a pose for the paparazzi, and was mobbed by fans after the show. I am lucky to be the accessory at the other end of his leash.
2. Shantih, any advice for first-time dog models?
Yes–it’s a lot more fun when your partner is a beautiful woman. Last year my date was Nina Snow, and this year I’ll be taking my owner, Charlie Martel. I like Charlie just fine, and I’m glad I rescued HIM, but Nina stunned in a Nicole Miller dress last year. This year I’ll have to bring the glamour.
3. Charlie, Shantih was a rescue. How long have you had him and why did you end up choosing him to adopt?
Shantih and I have a wonderful story. I honestly believe he rescued me.
I have had Shantih for 9 years, since February 8, 2003. He was three months old when I adopted him. It is hard to believe this, but he was a Christmas gift who no one wanted. The couple that bought him gave him to a family for Christmas, and the family gave him back because they did not want a dog. The couple that bought him didn’t want him either, so they brought him to a shelter.
I’d signed up a few weeks earlier at the shelter, and I wanted a dog to hike and run with. But I was not sure I was ready. When I met Shantih at the shelter to see if I wanted to adopt him, he toddled into the room and was just adorable–he was a three month husky puppy, so he looked like a little fuzz ball with blue eyes. I tossed him a toy and he retrieved it and jumped in my lap.
So I really think he chose me. I named him Shantih, because it’s the Sanskrit word for “peace” and he is so sweet and kind. It’s a real active peace, because he’s a husky and even at 9 years old he’s got a lot of sugar in his bowl.
It’s been pure love from that moment on. He’s a therapy dog and has visited wounded soldiers, he’s been chosen as the dog mascot for a tavern, and is the best trail running companion you could imagine. Everywhere I go with him people stop us and want to play with him and he just eats it up.
When I grow up I want to be like him.
4. For those that know nothing about Fashion for Paws, can you give a brief explanation as to what it is?
The Fashion for Paws® (F4P) Runway Show is many good things at once. It is a high-energy fashion show, featuring leading designers and photographers. Designed by Syzygy Event Productions, the event presents cutting edge high fashion, drawing an extraordinary crowd of VIP’s, fashion and animal lovers alike. The Fashion for Paws Runway Show has been named the best fashion event of the year in Washington, DC for 3 years in a row and includes and has three different catergories of models walking the runway. The heart and soul of the event are the fundraising models who agree to raise a minimum of $5000 in the weeks leading up to the event and participate in a friendly fundraising competition.
The event is held in one of the city’s most historic and beautiful places, the National Building Museum. The fundraising models, and sometimes their dogs, walk the runway. We’re fortunate to have good food and drink and wonderful corporate sponsorships. And the Show benefits homeless animals. The energy from all this, and our great audiences, provides for a very special night.
5. Why support the Washington Humane Society?
WHS takes care of nearly 30,000 homeless, lost, neglected and abused animals each year in the Washington, DC region. In addition to saving animals by providing shelter and finding homes for adoption, WHS runs programs, such as Humane Education, Human-Animal Rehabilitation, Humane Law Enforcement, low-cost spay/neuter, sheltering and adoption.
WHS also helps soldiers interested in pursuing work or volunteering in animal care. This program, called “Dog Tags”, and it offers innovative, three-tiered training, as well as a certified education in animal training. Seventy-five troops have participated, and the program also helps the homeless animals at WHS because the soldiers provide companionship, love and socialization that increases their chances for adoption.
6. What are some of Shantih’s favorite activities? What are some activities you do together?
Shantih and I love to run, hike and play soccer together. He plays soccer with his paws, if you kick him the ball he’ll bat it back with his paws. He’s a good goalie and it’s tough to get the ball by him. We love trail running and hiking along the Potomac and in the mountains. He’s a swimmer – he learned from a couple of labs who taught him how to play in the water.
Like all huskies, Shantih is in heaven in the snow. He loves the beach too and will run endlessly in the sand. He’s lost a face off or two with crabs.
As active as he is, Shantih knows how to chill. At the beach he’ll lounge all day on the porch and watch the world pass by. He is also a cuddler who will jump into chairs or sofas, but only when his boss gives him permission.
Shantih is a real people lover – it’s why he was a good therapy dog. When we visited Walter Reed, the first patient he visited regained consciousness when Shantih nuzzled him, and one of the families decided to adopt a husky because their son, who lost an arm, fell in love with Shantih. It was just an amazing experience seeing how dogs can help people heal. I think the dogs understand something profound about wounded people that goes beyond what we know. If you want to believe that dogs have soul, spend a morning at a military hospital with therapy dogs.
He’s also great with kids of all ages. He was chosen as a mascot for a tavern in Old Town and got to march in several parades, which allowed him to do two things he loves–walk and play with lots of people.
We’ve been pretty inseparable since I got him. He traveled with me to London when I did graduate studies there, and was thrilled that dogs are allowed in pubs, where he was treated like a local celebrity–free fish and chips!
He loves to play and loves to love.
7. What is your fundraising goal for this year’s event?
My goal is to raise $5,000, and I hope to meet and surpass it!
8. Provide some general background about yourself.
I am a human rights lawyer and I’ve worked with the Senate, legal non-profits and law firms. I’ve helped lead congressional investigations on Hurricane Katrina and the Fort Hood shootings. My volunteer work includes human rights and humanitarian projects on the ground in Haiti and New Orleans. I am a lifelong Washingtonian and believe the Nationals will make the playoffs this year. When I run I remind a lot of people of Teddy Roosevelt in the Nationals presidents races.
9. How can people donate towards your personal goal?
They can donate by clicking here. Click on the “support Charles” button and it will take you to the donation page. It’s where you can also buy tickets.
