March 2010
WHIRL Features > Beth Ostrosky Stern
Marchesa black beaded overlay with slip, price upon request, Marchesa. Sterling silver and sapphire bead necklace worn as a bracelet, $11,250, and white gold and black diamond earrings, $9,900, Louis Anthony Jewelers.
Photography by Megan Wylie | Art Direction by MacKenzie L. Hoops
Produced by Leslie Hoffman
Right: Halston silk blouson dress in tangerine, $5,995, Halston.
Mrs. Howard Stern is an animal lover — and she’s also Pittsburgh’s own Beth Ostrosky. Married in October to the media mogul and savvy businessman Howard Stern,
the model and television personality was a beautiful bride in her own star-studded nuptials.
For five years, she has been the spokeswoman for the world’s largest no-kill rescue and adoption organization, the North Shore Animal Rescue League America, which has facilitated almost 1 million adoptions. She is currently working on a book titled Oh My Dog, to be released by Simon and Schuster Entertainment next spring. “Because of my affiliation with animal rescue, people often ask me questions about their pets, thinking that I am an expert,” she says. “But, I am not an expert by any means! So, I’ve decided to do the research and interview all the top vets, trainers, behavior therapists, and true experts on everything a person needs to know when they bring a dog into their lives. It is going to be research-driven, with tons of useful information. By the end of this process, I am sure I will be an expert!”
Left: Halston silk degrade dress in teal, $6,995, Halston.
Right: Gurhan yellow gold and diamond cuff, $25,700, Louis Anthony Jewelers. Art Deco woven micro pearl satoire necklace, rare Scottish buckle bracelet with agate, and ring, all price upon request, Joden World Resources. Cartier LOVE bracelet and engagement ring and wedding bands, Beth’s own.
Left: Halston silk blouson dress in tangerine, $5,995, Halston.
Center Left: Faceted onyx ring with round brilliant diamonds set in platinum bezels, Onyx and diamond checkerboard bracelet, Platinum bracelet with thirty six square emerald cut diamonds that weigh 20 carats, and Black diamond beaded necklace with a seven carat diamond pendant, all price upon request, Joden World Resources.
Center RIght: Badgley Mischka by Sama sunglasses, $420, HeidiOptics. Gurhan yellow gold and turquoise bib necklace, $24,000, and turquoise bangle, $6,600, Louis Anthony Jewelers.
Left: Mr. & Mrs. Stern; Beth’s gown was designed for her by Marchesa.
Right: Howard Stern and Beth on their wedding day.
Left: Hair and Make up Team: Hope Whittier of Dior, Beth Ostrosky Stern, Sheila Sebastian, and Bill Lincoln of Sognatore.
Right: Sam Badger and Joe Murawski of Joden World Resources, Beth Ostrosky Stern, Amie Guarino Yadouga and Vanessa Guarino of Louis Anthony Jewelers.
Left: Sandy Lenenberg
Right: Marci Anderson with the greyhounds.
How to Adopt
“My request is for people to never buy from a pet store and to visit their local shelter. If people want to buy a purebred, they should know that 25 percent of the animals at shelters are purebred,” says Beth. “Also, most purebreds have their own rescues, such as Steel City Greyhounds!”
In addition to the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society, the Animal Rescue League, and Animal Friends, these are some independent organizations devoted to rescuing specific breeds in Western Pennsylvania and the mid-Atlantic states. For a comprehensive listing, see the Pet Guardian Angel of America Web site, pgaa.com/pennsylvania.html.
Steel City Greyhounds
Pittsburgh, 412.362.2470
steelcitygreyhounds.org
Going Home Greyhounds
Wexford, 724.935.6298
goinghomegreyhounds.org
Italian Greyhound Rescue of Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, 724.327.9433
geocities.com/igrescuepa
Mid-Atlantic Bulldog Rescue
midatlanticbulldogrescue.com
Mid-Atlantic English Springer Spaniel Rescue
301.362.0423
maessr.org
Orphans of the Storm
Kittanning, 724.548.4520
orphansofthestorm
petfinder.com
Left: Sit, stay, smile!
Right: WHIRL Photographer Megan Wylie on set with Beth.
Left: Mother-Daughter! Judy Ostrosky with her daughter.
Right: Beth with her English bulldog, Bianca
Good Dogs!
Model and television host Beth Ostrosky Stern has worked hard to establish a beautiful career. But her favorite role has been her position as longtime spokesperson for the North Shore Animal Rescue Laeague America, the world’s largest no-kill animal shelter, based in New York. For this photo shoot, we took a local approach to include animals that have been rescued, and called Steel City Greyhounds to participate with five of their amazing dogs. At the shoot, these hounds sprawled out elegantly on the floor, like thin models themselves, relaxed and contented, but ready to spring to action in front of the camera.
Unfortunately, not all greyhounds lead such an easy life post-racetrack. If it weren’t for the work of Steel City Greyhounds’ Marci and Dave Anderson, more than 350 former racing and hunting greyhounds would not have a home today. In 2002, the Andersons, owners of the Golden Bone Pet Resort, opened their doors and offered their time and resources to the temporary boarding of unwanted greyhounds, founding Steel City Greyhounds. Old age, injury, or lack of speed force greyhounds into homelessness: Often, a racetrack or owner simply disposes of dogs past their prime, as young as 2 to 5 years old. Dave points out that in Spain, for example, it is considered good luck to hang your neighbor’s dog — which is why the couple takes a trip to Spain every year to rescue unwanted dogs.
The Andersons say they’ve found it easier to transition greyhounds from the racetrack to the home if they live as boarders first. “It’s more conducive; it’s an adjustment period that gives us time to work out some of the kinks,” Marci Anderson says. The “kinks” include a new diet, regular veterinary check-ups, and surgery to spay and neuter the dogs.
Steel City Greyhounds is a not-for-profit, volunteer-based organization providing a transitory home for the dogs, so the Andersons keep it small, which can be distressing. “You get emotional because you can’t save them all. We do the best with what we can, which means we have four to eight dogs max. At any given time we could have 20 to 50 dogs, but the adoption rate just isn’t conducive to that and that’s the hardest thing,” says Anderson, who has eight dogs of her own. The dog’s futures after racing or hunting can be full of potential: Children’s Hospital has certified two of the Anderson’s dogs, Layla and Gladys, to interact with patients in its Pet Friend Visitation Program. Adopting a greyhound is an enormous commitment, but the Andersons say it is worth every minute of time. “They are magnificent dogs. Greyhounds appreciate a second chance at life,” Dave says. “And adopting them gives them their last chance.”
For more information on adopting or volunteering contact Steel City Greyhounds at 412.362.2470 or steelcitygreyhounds.org. Golden Bone Pet Resort, 6890 Firth Ave., East Liberty. 412.661.7001. goldenbonepetresort.com. — Lauren Mifsud
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