Opera Star and Westminster Dog Show Favorite Team Up for Pet Adoption Event
Metropolitan Opera veteran Janet Hopkins and AKC Show Grand Champion dog Ecco to be featured in Pre-Westminster event

NEW YORK, NY, February 07, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- New York Metropolitan Opera star and animal lover Janet Hopkins will join AKC Show Grand Champion dog Grand Champion Sweetbriar's Ecco D'Oro (Ecco) in New York for a musical good luck send off as he competes in the 2012 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. At 1pm on Monday, February 13th at the Hotel Pennsylvania in Midtown Manhattan, Miss Hopkins will serenade opera loving Ecco with a favorite personalized Italian aria, "O Mio Babbino Cane". Ecco is a Spinone Italiano breed.

A long time advocate for animal rights, Janet Hopkins has donated her time and talents for many fund raising concerts. She is teaming up with Ecco to raise awareness about proper care for animals and pet adoptions. For the month of February 2012, 15% of the sale of Miss Hopkins' popular cd ARIA will be donated to benefit animal rescue. http://www.JanetEHopkins.com

This year marks Ecco's first visit to Madison Square Garden where he will be vying for the top spot against some of the most spectacular Spinoni in the United States to represent his breed in the Sporting Group competition at Westminster. Ecco has developed an internet following of dog fans who are taken with his mischievous nature and frequent on-line musings. Like his friend Janet Hopkins, he too uses his status to raise awareness about the importance of pet adoption and animal welfare.

"Opera has finally gone to the dogs," laughs Hopkins. "Ecco is an opera loving dog, and I am a pet loving diva. Together, we can bring attention to two of the world's greatest passions: music and pets. Both should be nurtured, appreciated, and enjoyed. This will be great fun!"

Amy Hines of Smithfield, VA, owner of Ecco, is excited about all that her New York visit will encompass. "This is a wonderful time for Ecco and us," notes Hines. "Appearing with a star like Janet Hopkins, competing in Westminster, helping to raise awareness for animal rescue, we are thrilled with it all. We are grateful to the Hotel Pennsylvania http://www.HotelPenn.com for their hospitality and to the talents of Everyday Opera Magazine http://www.EverydayOpera.com for bringing us all together."

Diva and dog will be highlighted in the historic lobby of the Hotel Pennsylvania which was recently named the 2012 Pre-Westminster "Pet Friendly Hotel of the Year". To show his "dog-thusiasm" for opera and the event, Ecco will be formally attired, sporting black tie, tails, and a top hat.

"This will be a lively event," offers Janet Hopkins. "Any time the importance of supporting animal rescue is emphasized, we all win. And anything involving opera is always a high note," she suggests with a smile.

The 2012 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will take place in New York at Madison Square Garden on February 13th and 14th. It will air live on the USA Network. For additional information, visit http://www.WestminsterKennelClub.org

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