Dogs Days of Summer: A cause for paws!

By Barbara Burke · Sat Aug 01 2026

Gladstones hosts a Yappy Hour to help rescued dogs

With tentative yet friendly wags of their tails and hesitant but hopeful glances, rescued dogs mingled with humans on the public deck of Gladstones on July 25, a hot and humid day that beckoned thousands to area beaches. 

And they called it Puppy Love!

Dubbed “The Dog Days of Summer Yappy Hour,” the event was a hit! Noting that “more and more Americans treat their pets like family,” Gladstones hosted the event in support of The Labelle Foundation, a 501(c)(3) animal rescue in Los Angeles. 

As any animal lover knows, when you see a group of lovely dogs in need of a home, their charm offensive is hard to rebuff.  At Gladstones, the foundation had dogs available in cute bandanas saying “Adopt Me.” When the pups were given some treats, they became all the more adorable. Clearly, all human attendees and the four-legged guests thoroughly enjoyed their beachside afternoon filled with specialty dog-themed cocktails, compliments of Tito’s Vodka for Dog People, a local charity that hosts events around Los Angeles and has held approximately 15,000 such events and other campaigns since 2013. Tito’s kindly gave out leashes, dog toys and dog bandanas to all attendees, adding to the festive vibe.

Chatting with the Foundation’s co-founder Laura Labelle, one quickly understands that it is her life’s passion to help rescued dogs. “We have rescued dogs here at Gladstone’s today, but we have approximately 80 dogs up for adoption at our Los Angeles foundation,” Labelle explains that she has been an animal lover her entire life. She and her daughter, Sabrina Labelle, who helped co-found the organization and now manages day-to-day operations and advocacy for the foundation, established their organization in 2018.  

Fortunately, the Labelle Foundation specializes in rehabilitation of neonatal puppies, mothers and puppies, and medically fragile dogs — dogs whom many other rescues are not equipped to support. “A beacon of hope in the realm of animal welfare, the foundation is dedicated to transforming lives through responsible pet ownership, education, spaying and neutering initiatives, vaccination advocacy and comprehensive dog training,” The foundation’s website informs. “We confront the challenges within the rescue community head-on, driven by a resolute mission to put an end to dog homelessness.” 

The organization’s mission seeks to champion accessible veterinary care and to support sponsoring spay-and-neuteringclinics across California and Mexico, with ongoing plans to broaden its reach. 

Of course, the adorable pups at Gladstones don’t  understand what the foundation’s efforts entail or the nuances of funding their care, fostering, and, hopefully, adoption. Rather, with tails wagging and their species’ inherent charm offensive, they do seem to understand that they are vulnerable and need human support and attention. Further, they captured the hearts of participants at the event, as well as of members of the public gathering on the restaurant’s deck. 

The dog guests also seemed to understand that they — and the humans accompanying them — were there to party and enjoy.  For the humans, that meant cocktails by Tito’s Vodka for Dog People that were, some guests kiddingly noted, “pawsaitively” delicious and refreshing. 

A dog-friendly patio for friendly dogs

Smiling broadly, Jim Harris, general manager of Gladstones Legacy Group, someone whom many Malibuites know managed Duke’s Malibu for years,  declared that the event was a success. So much of a success that, as The Malibu Timeschatted with him, his daughter and wife were deciding whether to adopt a dog. In the world of dog rescue foundations, that spells success. 

“Ours is a dog-friendly patio for friendly dogs,” Harris quipped. Further, he gave The Malibu Times a bit of a spoiler alert, stating, “Gladstones’ interior will soon open, hopefully by Labor Day,”  In speaking that news, he did so in a tone denoting he wants readers to let every human and dog whom they know about the forthcoming re-opening of Gladstones. 

Tito’s donated $1,000 to the Labelle Foundation and Tito’s invites readers to reach out if they wish to coordinate a similar event. To explore that, visit Tito's Vodka for Dog People. 

Similarly, Labelle and her team invite readers to check out the Foundation, a nonprofit organization that, she states, “is where compassion takes action as we strive to help every paw find its place to call home.”

For more information,visit Labelle Foundation at labellefoundation.org.