HILTON WATERFRONT BEACH RESORT MAKES NO BONES ABOUT FUNDRAISING FOR A 'FIDO FOUNTAIN'

            Huntington Beach, Calif. - April 25, 2005 - With its mile-long Dog Beach, Best Friend Dog Park and Park Bench Caf'/a>, Huntington Beach has long been a city where folks with four-legged pals can feel right at home. With plans now in place for a new water fountain with a special basin for thirsty dogs, Surf City will soon be friendlier still for pooches who need a little hydration after frolicking on the shore.

'Our planned water fountain will be especially designed to accommodate the needs of parched pets and will be the first of its kind along the Huntington Beach coastline,' said Martin Senat of the Preservation Society of Huntington Dog Beach. 'Currently, there is no place where dogs can drink fresh water near the beach. This is something we have needed for quite a while.'

The new, privately funded fountain will alleviate the need for Dog Beach volunteers to bring in water by hand. The City of Huntington Beach has given tentative approval for the project; the exact location of the fountain will be determined based on existing water lines. No public money will be used to purchase, install or maintain the fountain.

To raise funds for the undertaking, the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort and Preservation Society of Huntington Dog Beach have teamed up to present a charity dinner and silent auction. The 'dog-gone' affair will take place on Wednesday, May 25, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the AAA Four Diamond Award resort's Palm Court restaurant. Invitations are being distributed to hundreds of local dogs ' who will also receive flyers at the beach - urging them to encourage their humans to attend and to bid on plenty of doggie goodies.

While dog-lovers will be forced to leave Fido at home for the proceedings, they'll have an opportunity to tender offers for an array of gifts and services that will help them indulge their pets at a later time. Items that will help the event's presenters meet a fundraising goal of $3,000 to $4,000 include four sporty outfits worn by Paris Hilton's stylish dog, Tinkerbell. The ensembles, which are personally signed by the hotel heiress, would make any pooch proud on a walk down Surf City's Main Street on a sunny 'dog day afternoon.'

For owners of pets with emotional and behavior issues, doggy psychiatric evaluations and obedience lessons will be up for grabs. Others interested in boosting Rover's appeal when it comes to pooch watching can opt for canine teeth whitening.

Four-legged friends can't go everywhere and for those necessary separations, doggie-sitting services will be auctioned. Best friends will love their owners even more after enjoying treats from the Canine Cuisine menu at a group luncheon for the four-legged set hosted by the Park Bench Caf' While top bidders dine on casual people-fare, their pooches will be able to lap up 'Eggs Rover Easy' and 'Bow-Wow-Wow' chicken at this outdoor restaurant in Huntington Central Park.

Dog owners who want to truly pamper their pets may be most tempted to bid on a suite at the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort, overlooking the ocean in beautiful Huntington Beach. The indulgent getaway comes complete with doggie bed and dinner for two. 'We'll be happy to arrange for on-site grooming services for both pets and their people during their stay,' said John Gilbert, Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort general manager.

For the charity event dinner, Palm Court Executive Chef Jeff Littlefield will prepare a special tasting menu featuring specialties of the intimate and elegant fine dining venue. The newly renovated establishment captures the ambiance of a California steakhouse and seafood restaurant with cuisine that focuses on natural tastes, complemented by sweeping views of the blue Pacific. All guests will go home with doggie bags they can, of course, share with their pets.

Tickets for the charity event are $50/person, and proceeds after expenses will support the new water fountain project. To reserve a ticket by credit card or for more information, please register at http://www.dogbeach.org/. The deadline for tickets is May 18.

The Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort is a AAA Four-Diamond Hotel overlooking the Pacific Ocean featuring the award-winning Palm Court restaurant. It is located at 21100 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, Calif. To make room reservations, call 714-845-8000, and for the restaurant, call 714-960-7873.

The Preservation Society of Huntington Dog Beach is a non-profit organization that depends on donations to stay open and clean. Dog Beach, where canines can frolic freely on the sand or in the surf, is a one-mile stretch of beach along Pacific Coast Highway between 21st St. and Seapoint St. in Huntington Beach.

Media Contact:  Genevieve Anton| Public Relations |The Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort |714-544-6503 direct or 714-290-7040 mobile