The Social Diary Salutes

Mary Drake

for her love of Animals and her Community Involvement

** Mary is pictured here with Serafina and Sophie **

About Mary

"I was born in Cuba, my mother is from Spain, my grandparents are Argentinean, so I am as Latin as you can get !!! I have a zest for life, love to have a good time, speak Spanish fluently, love to dance, have always wanted to learn how to play the piano, am a hiking nut, and can walk with my dogs for hours!"

How Mary Met Her Husband Hudson Drake

"My path to La Jolla  began when I met Hudson. I was living in Paradise Valley, Arizona at the time. We met at a black tie event at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. He was living in La Jolla. We dated for several years, and were married 9 years ago."

About Mary's '4 Legged Kids'

"My "kids" are Sophie, Yorkshire, Pudding

Serafina, Mexican mutt extraordinaire, or as Hudson says, Enchilada Retriever

Teddy Roosevelt (guess who named him) our Siamese mix

Pasqua, The Easter Island Princess"

More about Sophie, Serafina, Teddy Roosevelt and Pasqua

"The rescues,  they have been unusual, what can you do when love finds you?

Pasqua, takes first place...we checked into our hotel in Easter Island, by the way, the MOST isolated spot on earth !! There was this tiny kitten, full of mange, ring worm, and who knows what else. I of course fall in love, we start to feed it, the Hotel owner did not want her, was going to get "rid" of her,  I speak Spanish fluently, I told him he would have a very unhappy guest if anything happened to this kitty while we were there...the day before we left, I wrapped her in a towel, put ourselves in a taxi, and went to the only vet in town. I asked him to get her healthy and I would wire him money as long as necessary, of course the entire time my Husband is saying "you are NOT taking the cat home" !!!!! The wonderful thing is this vet would weekly email me pictures, and a progress report, so Hudson started to soften. Several months later, we flew her from Easter Island to Santiago, Chile, a 5 hour flight, so I had made arrangements with the freight forwarder to take her home, so she could eat, use bathroom, etc...he  emails me pictures of her with his children! The next morning he put her on a flight from Santiago to Dallas, to LAX and she has been with us 3 years this March...Her personality is incredible, the sweetest,  and the nicest pet anyone could wish for.

Next has to be Serafina. We had been invited to spend a week in Puerta Vallarta with our dear friends that have a Hacienda there. Hudson could not make it, he had to be in Washington D.C. So I went alone, (which was a very good thing since he was still recovering from Pasqua).

In the middle of the week several other girlfriends flew down for a "girls" 4 days. There is a wonderful woman  named Janice Chatterham that lives in Puerta Vallarta that rescues dogs, one thing leads to another, and we are visiting her haven.  Little Serafina takes one look at me, and jumps into my arms !!( O.K. maybe with a little coaxing) I was in love again !! Of course so are my friends, and they all think I just have to save this little girl !! I said yes, Janice said she would make arrangements for a "health certificate" to get her back to the states, I go and purchase a carrier, and Janice agrees to keep her for several days, I could not take her to the Hacienda where I was staying because they had Chihuahua puppies and we did not know what Serafina could have. I never did tell Hudson till I was at the airport in Mexico, I figured that would give him several hours to "diffuse." She of course had everything a poor dog could have. Every parasite, distemper, but, the great news is she made it, and is very, healthy..her personality is hilarious, Serafina makes me laugh every day, she is so funny, and a love, she is a bit "naughty", but I love her that way.

Teddy was my first rescue, we had only been married 6 months or so, I went to Whole Foods and the pet store by them was having a cat adoption day, I just went to look !! He was so cute, and those blue eyes !! I fell in love !! A woman was saying that if I did not take him, she would, of course I am taking him, and that was probably the beginning of many surprises my husband has had to deal with !!!! He took it really well, LOVES, LOVES, LOVES, this cat and this cat loves him, in fact he is really his cat. Theodore Roosevelt aka Teddy is very elegant, can not be bothered, and always keeps his cool!

Sophie, My baby, my love, the cutest Yorkie EVER !! I did everything you are NOT suppose to do, I saw her in a pet shop window and fell in love ! Head over heals in love! Of course we were about to start a remodel, I told the store owner to please give me 24 hours so I could talk my husband into this, I knew I was half way there when my husband said he would hold her, he then said "you do know this is the worst timing for a puppy" I said I can not argue that, you are right, but I love her so much, he said ok. and to this day she is still the best gift he has given me. Sophie just turned 6 years young."

A Few of Mary's Favorite Charities

"One of my favorite charities has to be Humane Society de Tijuana, it is unbelievable the services they provide, and the education for spaying and neutering, they believe as do I " Animals have no nationality." They are based in San Diego, and volunteers cross the border every week. These animals are treated so badly, it is so important that they receive this second chance at a healthy life.

Hudson and I are also supporters of the Johnson Cancer Center at UCLA, Hudson served on the board for years, it is something very close to his heart. We both believe very strongly in giving back to our community and do as much as we can."

Things You Like to Celebrate

"I LOVE to celebrate birthdays, in fact I have a birthday month. I also love Thanksgiving, it is all about family, friends, and how blessed we truly are. ANYTHING to do with my Granddaughter I will celebrate..."

Tell Us About Your Recent Trip to Africa

"The Gorilla trip was something I had wanted to do for years, my husband had no interest at all. We had been to Africa 4 times in the last 6 years, so he was a bit"over" doing this again. Rex was cutting my hair, told me he and Steve had just booked a trip and I should join them. The rest is history..I was not disappointed at all, they are incredible, so human like, we must save them from poachers, I am so thankful that the people in Uganda (where we were) are starting to understand the importance of taking care of these animals."

What Would You Like To Do More Of In The Future

"In the future I would like to help people understand the importance of neutering and spaying. That animals have souls. That the cute puppy or kitten should be a lifetime commitment, not an impulse buy. That it is easy to bring in a pet in from another country, they are usually the ones that need you most."

~ Cheers to all you do for others Mary! - The Social Diary ~

_________________________

The Social Diary would like to say

a special thank you to our advertisers.

Valerie and Harry Cooper supporting the San Diego Opera

Valerie and Harry Cooper supporting The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

Judith C. Harris, Blair Harris, and Robert Singer, MD supporting the

Dian Fossey Gorrilla Fund International

La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club

La Jolla Shores Hotel

The Shores Restaurant

The Marine Room

Dr. Laurie Marker of The Cheetah Conservation Fund

H. Moradi Fine Jewelery on Prospect Street in La Jolla

Pat O'Connor of Fashion Careers College

Pamela Pogue of Juelerie

Kary Favish of the Worth Collection

Diana Cavagnaro of Designer Millinery

Jordan of Jordan Art Couture and Animal Fashions by Jordan

Lizz Russell of The Lizz Russell Collection

Gary Parker of WineSellar & Brasserie

Owner and Chef Pasquale of Cafe Milano

Alex Gonzalez of Mercedes Benz of San Diego

Kevin Smith of Extreme Pizza in La Jolla

Jeremiah Sullivan of Neptunic Sharksuits

Drs. Sue and John Morizi of The Animal Hospital of La Jolla

Eugene Ladopoulos of Mistra Estates Olive Oil

The Social Diary, Margo Johnston, Scott Johnston and Kima are or have been featured on:

New York Sockal Diary, The San Diego Opera, Las Patronas Jewel Ball, Town & Country Magazine,

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Arthritis Foundation of San Diego, St. Madeleine Sophie's Center,

The Kymberli and Vaughn Parker Family Charitable Foundation,

A New Parth, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Moores UCSD Cancer Center Luau

& Longboard event, La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Rainforest Alliance,

The International Seakeepers Society, San Diego Magazine,

La Jolla Chamber Music Society, La Jolla Music Society,

University of San Diego Magazine, KPBS, Jordan Art Couture, the Cheetah Conservancy Foundation,

San Diego Humane Society, P.A.W.S. aka Pets Are Wonderful Support, Gretchen Productions,

The Reader of San Diego, the San Diego Union Tribune, Sign on San Diego, SDTheatre.com,

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News 8, Discover San Diego, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Fox 6 News, San Diego News 6, La Jolla Light,

La Jolla Village News, Rancho Santa Fe Review, San Diego Woman Magazine,

Cuisine of Southern California with Chef Bernard Guillas, After the Finish Line Newsletter with Dawn Mellen,

the feature film Step Into Liquid, Baywatch, RosieTisch.com The Roger Hedgecock Radio Show,

Time Warner Cable

Eye on L.A. Tahiti segment with Jann Carl

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