Sat., May 13, 6:30-9 p.m., Gala to Benefit “Shelter Our Strays. ”Celebrate the opening of the exhibition Best in Show: Dogs in Art from the Renaissance to the Present in a benefit for Shelter Our Strays (SOS) to support a new Animal Control Facility in Greenwich. Cocktails, hors d‘oeuvres, tasting stations of delicious edibles by Libby Coverly Cooke Catering, and wine donated by Terry Rogers of Horseneck Liquors. Musical entertainment enlivens the evening and valet parking is provided. A small, select silent auction is designed to interest animal lovers as well as others, who can bid on such items as a custom dog “castle,” a Year-of-the-Dog restaurant package, and weekends with your pet at dog friendly inns. Tickets from $250 to $5,000, per person, and contributions in excess of $50 per person are tax deductible. For an invitation or information, call Bruce Museum Development Assistant Lilly Armstrong at (203) 869-6786 ext, ext 365. Tues., May 23, 1:30 p.m. Tuesday Afternoon Lecture and Tea. Best in Show: The Purebred Dog in 18th and 19th-Century Painting. William Secord, author and president of William Secord Galleries, Inc., New York City, lectures. Lecture followed by an afternoon tea reception and docent-led tour of the exhibition. Advance reservations required. Send check or credit card information (card #, expiration date and name on card) to: Best in Show Lectures, Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Drive, Greenwich, CT 06830. Members $10, non-members $15, per person, per program. Please specify date and include your phone number. The reservation deadline is the Friday preceding the lecture date. Sun., June 4, 1-4 p.m. Dog Days Family Day. Activities for the whole family focusing on man’s best friend. Crafts and gallery hunts for children and special demonstrations by Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc., including an obstacle course that shows how trained dogs bring freedom and independence to their visually disabled partners. Adopt-a-Dog of Greenwich will be on hand to help you find the perfect canine companion! All activities are free with Museum admission. Tues., June 13, 1:30 p.m. Tuesday Afternoon Lecture and Tea. Best in Show: Judging American Kennel Club Breeds. David Frei, Director of Communications, Westminster Kennel Club, New York, discusses American Kennel Club recognized breeds and their respective groups.  Lecture followed by an afternoon tea reception and docent-led tour of the exhibition. Advance reservations required. Send check or credit card information (card #, expiration date and name on card) to: Best in Show Lectures, Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Drive, Greenwich, CT 06830. Members $10, non-members $15, per person, per program. Please specify date and include your phone number. The reservation deadline is the Friday preceding the lecture date. Tues., July 11, 1:30 p.m. Tuesday Afternoon Lecture and Tea. The Nature of Dogs. An exploration of canine development from dog ancestors to domesticated breeds by Carolyn Rebbert, Curator of Science at the Bruce Museum. There will be a special presentation with Ambassador Wolf Atka, a 3-year-old Arctic gray wolf, and his handler Maggie Howell of the Wolf Conservation Center, South Salem, NY. The program is suitable for children ages 10 years and up. Lecture followed by an afternoon tea and/or punch reception and docent-led tour of the exhibitions. Advance reservations required. Send check or credit card information (card #, expiration date and name on card) to: Best in Show Lectures, Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Drive, Greenwich, CT 06830. Members $10, non-members $15, per person, per program. Please specify dates and include your phone number. The reservation deadline is the Friday preceding the lecture date. Tues., July 25, 1:30 p.m. Tuesday Afternoon Lecture and Tea. Canine Heroes: Service Dogs. Chris Byrne, president and founder of Dogs Unlimited LLC and director of K-9 One Bomb Detection Services, will discuss the uses, training, and selection of these amazing dogs. Mr. Byrne will bring a canine hero. The program is suitable for children ages 10 years and up. Lecture followed by an afternoon tea and/or punch reception and docent-led tour of the exhibitions. Advance reservations required. Send check or credit card information (card #, expiration date and name on card) to: Best in Show Lectures, Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Drive, Greenwich, CT 06830. Members $10, non-members $15, per person, per program. Please specify dates and include your phone number. The reservation deadline is the Friday preceding the lecture date. Wed., Aug. 2, 9, 16, and 23, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Family Activities: Dog Days of Summer!  A self-guided program for families with gallery hunts through the exhibitions. There will be doggie craft activities in the Education Workshop. August 2: Pom Pom Puppies August 9: Canine Finger Puppets August 16: Dog Magnets August 23: Balloon Doggies All activities are free. Just bring your imagination! Sun., Sept. 24, 1- 4 p.m. Goin’ to the Dogs Family Day. Activities for the whole family include canine crafts and gallery hunts. Demonstrations by Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation. Adopt-a-Dog of Greenwich will be on hand once again to help you find the perfect canine companion! At 3 p.m., there will be a special appearance by Ambassador Wolf Atka, a 3-year-old Arctic gray wolf, and his handler from the Wolf Conservation Center. Sorry, but please leave your pets at home for this event. Lecture Series: Natural History of Dogs. Speakers and dates in September and October 2006 to be announced. Distinguished scientists will present a three-part series of lectures focusing on the natural history of dogs including their development from wild dogs to their dependence on humans and to current methods to determine their genetic make-up. Lectures are free to Museum members and $5 at the door for non-members. For reservations call the Museum at (203) 869-0376.