 | Halloween can be a stressful time for pets. Although Halloween night is a time to keep your dogs at home, safe and sound, that doesn't mean they must be completely left out of Halloween fun. If you have a friendly, sociable dog who likes children, gets along well with other dogs, and is comfortable wearing a costume, there are many pet parades and costume contests to enjoy this season. Many are part of Octoberfests or community Pumpkin Festivals celebrated annually in towns across America. You'll find links to information about some of these fall events near the end of this article. Not all dogs will stay cool, calm and collected about being dressed up for Halloween. Many will only cooperate if a costume is not terribly annoying to them. For others, a costume might be fine, but anything that resembles a hat will have to go. There are also dogs who really do enjoy being dressed up. They love the attention that goes along with it and they seem to think it's a perfectly natural thing to do. |
Here's a few pet costume tips.... The simplest pet costumes include a hat or a headpiece plus a cape, or some type of collar or ruffle. These two-piece sets make it easy to dress your dog as a witch, a devil, a clown.... even a king or queen. Simple but cute - alternatives to costumes .... Halloween Activities to Enjoy With Your Dogs October 5, 2008 -"http://fredericksburg.com/community/entertainment/events/index_html?mode-calendar=day&date-calendar=2008/10/05" target="blank">Fredericksburg Dog Festival - Fredericksburg, Virginia October 5, 2008 - Scarecrow Festival Dog Parade and Costume Contest - Trenton, Michigan October 11, 2008 - Dogtoberfest - Metropolitan Park on the St. John’s River, Jacksonville, Florida October 11, 2008 - Salem Common Boo-tiful Pets Costume Contest - Salem , Massachusetts October 17, 2008 - Pet Parade, The Circleville Pumpkin Show - Circleville, Ohio October 21, 2008 - PetSmart Howl-O-Ween Costume Party - at a PetSmart Store Near You October 22, 2008 - WKEY Pet Masquerade and Parade - Casa Marina Resort, Key West, Florida October 24, 2008 - Howling Halloween -Old Town Shopping Center, Los Gatos, California October 25, 2008 - BowWowWow Howl-loween Doggie Costume Contest & Party - Titan’s Kingdom, Fremont, California October 25, 2008 - Bark in the Park - Greenville Tech Campus, Greenville, South Carolina October 25, 2008 - 6th Annual Howl-O-Ween Barkin' Bash - Quiet Waters Park, Annapolis, Maryland October 25, 2008 - Howl-o-ween 2008 - Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois October 25, 2008 - Petco Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest - at a your local Petco store October 25, 2008 - "Howloween” Dog Talent Show, Costume Contest and Boneyard Hunt - Lake Accotink Park, Fairfax, Virginia October 25, 2008 - Halloween Pet Parade - Maryland Plaza, St. Louis, Missouri October 26, 2008 - Daisy's Delights 3rd Annual Halloween Parade and Costume Contest - Eastlake Park, Ridley Park, Pennsylvania October 26, 2008 - Best Costumed Pet Contest, Sea Witch Halloween & Fiddler's Festival - Rehoboth Beach, Delaware October 26, 2008 - Boston's Diva's Unleashed Halloween Pet Parade & Contest - DoggieDay Play Center, Tremont St., Boston October 26, 2008 - Haute Dog Howl'oween Parade - Livingston Park, Long Beach, California October 26, 2008 - Capital Area Humane Society Halloween Pet Parade 2008 - Easton Town Center, Columbus, Ohio October 26, 2008 - Pet Pride Day 2008 - Sharon Meadow, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California October 31, 2008 - Amelia Island Halloween Pet Parade - Bark Avenue Pet Boutique, Amelia Island, Florida Online Halloween Pet Photo Contests Pet Halloween costumes are also available online at Halloween night can be stressful for pets. See "A Safe and Sound Halloween"
Halloween costumes made especially for dogs and cats are designed to stay in place, fit comfortably, and allow unrestricted movement.
Pant or jumpsuit type costumes fit over a dog's front legs. Many styles have little arms and legs attached to give the illusion that the dog is standing upright. They're available as super heroes, pirates, cheerleaders, biker dogs, rag dolls, firemen and and other cute characters. Many of these costumes include a head piece to complete the look.
Pet costumes that fit like a jacket or vest can transform a dog into a bumble bee, a pumpkin, or a superstar! 
Black Bow Tie
Pumpkin Bandana
Pet parades, pet costume contests, and fall festivals are happening around the country throughout the month of October. Check local animal shelters, breed and rescue clubs, pet supply stores, pet grooming salons, veterinary clinics, garden centers, and other retail establishments for Halloween events in your area. Here's a list of Halloween 2008 Events across the USA. Click on the name of an event for online information.
The pet costumes shown on this page are available online,
at BuyCostumes.com
Spoiled Rotten Doggies.com and at the Petco Halloween Shop.
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