'Golden Girl' Sleepover For Homeless Pup Celebrates Betty White

LONG ISLAND, NY — A huge-hearted Long Island shelter volunteer is once again making dreams come true for a four-legged pup in need, organizing a Betty-White themed hotel sleepover for "a golden girl" — a senior dog who will surely thank her for being a friend.

For years, Valerie Sanks of Rocky Point, who volunteers at the Brookhaven Animal Shelter, has devoted her life to giving back to homeless dogs. She hosts sleepovers for the dogs to shower them with affection, has planned birthday parties and car rides, helped a dying dog realize her bucket list of dreams, and organized blanket drives. Last year, she papered the walls with donated $1 bills to give shelter dog kiddie pools and relief from sweltering summer heat.

The sleepover, originally planned for February, had to be postponed due to health issues, Sanks said.

But on Monday, she and Cerina, a sweet senior dog, headed to the hotel for the pup's special treat, which also honors Betty White.

"It feels so amazing to be able to take shelter dogs out for hotel sleepovers," Sanks said. "I missed it horribly, and I know the shelter dogs missed it as well."

The sleepovers are aimed at raising awareness to find the shelter dogs new homes. And many others also volunteer and donate to make them special, Sanks said.

"We even got upgraded to a suite!" she said.

Her friend, Terri Betro, recreation coordinator of a private community in Ridge, as well as a longtime friend, wanted to do something special and different in honor of Betty White’s 100th birthday, Sanks said.

"I suggested a hotel sleepover for a senior dog, a 'golden girl,' that would love a night out of the shelter," Sanks said.

T-shirts were made for the event, as were decorations and "rose-colored" glasses.

During her hotel sleepovers, pups enjoy a night out to have fun and visitors, she said. "Okay, let’s be honest — to be spoiled," she said. "We are calling it, 'Thank you for being a friend,'" she said.

Sanks booked a room at a La Quinta hotel and soon, friends were all pitching in to donate treats for Cerina, as well as food and other surprises.

Sanks thanked Tina Roeckel, "who answered my call at 8:30 p.m. when I couldn’t find my glue gun and helped make our girl Cerina 'Betty White rose- colored sunglasses,' for her hotel sleepover," Sanks said.

Jess Cerillo designed the T-shirts and Betro worked hard on decorations, she said.

The theme seemed perfect for animals who need a helping hand.

"Betty White was such a huge animal lover; I believe she would have loved this so much," Sanks said.

Monday marks the first hotel sleepover for a shelter dog she has organized in two years since the pandemic started, Sanks said.

"Throughout the day and night, friends, volunteers and staff members said they will be stopping by," she said. "We have so many Betty White themes, from throughout her six decades in show business."

The original plan was to serve all of Betty White's favorite foods but pooch Cerina has allergies and can only eat her prescription diet. "So we are going to call it St. Olaf goulash, from when Betty White played Rose Nylund on the 'Golden Girls'!"

The night has special meaning for Sanks, who, like White, has devoted her life to raising awareness about the plight of animals in need.

"Growing up watching Betty White, from the 'Mary Tyler Moore Show' to 'Hot in Cleveland,' she was simply the best," Sanks said. "My personal favorite was the 'Golden Girls,' where she played Rose. Her kindness and loving manner shined bright in everything she did on film and in real life — how could you not love her?"

She added: "I hope that this hotel sleepover will make her proud. I honestly believe that Betty White would have loved this idea."

Sanks thanked the many friends and volunteers who have come together to help make the event special for a shelter dog who hasn't yet found a family to call her own.

Cerina, Sanks said, is available for adoption and looking for love. "She is ready to brighten someone's world," her bio said. "She is asking for the basics — a home of her own, a family to love, a bed to cuddle up in, a window to look out of, and to get some sunshine on her face."

Cerina, who is between 9 and 10 years old, is housebroken, knows how to "sit" and give her paw, and loves her favorite treats. She will do best with kids over 14 and as the only pet in a home. She is 88 lbs., up to date with vaccinations, spayed, micro-chipped and heartworm negative. To adopt Cerina, call the Brookhaven Animal Shelter at (631) 451-6950.

"We all know that Cerina will love this hotel sleepover — and we hope that everyone will share our posts throughout the night in hopes of her finding a forever home," Sanks said. "Betty White once said, 'I stayed in show business to pay for my animal business.' If I could be known for my quote it would be close to Betty’s: 'I work hard so my shelter babies can have a better life until they find their forever homes.'"