Furocious
Every year it’s the same thing. My husband argues that my terriers would like to go as ‘dogs’ for Halloween and I try to plot, I mean: plan, well in advance their clever little costumes. We typically spend Halloween night in my mother’s little town just above the Carroll County border in Pennsylvania where people spill out of their homes and sit on front porches sipping hot cider, pretending to be scared by tiny visiting ghouls or dazzled by pint-size super heroes and princesses.
It wouldn’t be the same if Dugan and Barclay were not dressed the part. Their ‘cousin’ Jake, my brother’s Shih Tzu comes as well and I’m always his personal stylist. After all, the children who come trick-or-treating look for the dogs every year. One year, the ‘boys’ dressed as a bee and a ladybug (much to my husband’s ongoing, relentless dismay) and – lo and behold – two pre-teens flitted up as, you guessed it, a ladybug and a bumble bee. Kismet.
My genius really prevailed with their latest costume where Barclay, our younger dog by six weeks, wore a very clever hot dog costume from Target and Dugan, always the alpha, went as the hot dog vendor, ready to sell his ‘little brother’ at the first best offer. Dugan’s costume I created myself from a child’s craft apron, acrylic paint, rubber visor and felt letters from A.C. Moore. A few other props, like squeeze mustard and ketchup, helped seal the deal.
My friend, and event producer/marketer extraordinaire, Randi Rom, of R.J. Rom & Associates is, this year, exploring her boy Sydney’s ‘wild’ side. This SPCA-rescue, at five-years old, has never been ‘costumed’ before (that she knows of, anyway; FUROCIOUS understands rescues like Sydney like to maintain a little mystery). His brief experience with a borrowed shark costume and run-in with a “Bad to the Bone” bandana he mistook for a snack while Mama Randi wasn’t watching, don’t seem to count. Dudes can be very exacting in their wardrobe demands. After all, would the band KISS get the same reaction if they wore street clothes on stage? Please. Sydney understands a well-placed signature cap, coupled with that ‘Yo, whad up?’ expression, is not only a nod to the ladies, but just enough costume confidence to keep it interesting with none of the attendant humiliation.
Patti Neumann, tells us Bogart, a.k.a. Bogie, her Wheaten Terrier, heads up security for City Peek, the web portal destination for fun in our favorite cities. We know she’s just trying to be discreet—Bogie is really a celebrity model who appeared in an ad for Falls Road Animal Hospital. While he shies away from the pup-arazzi normally, this canine correspondent was able to procure a photo of him in costume with his GFF, Sophie. Capes are always a red-carpet favorite and at Halloween, a must-have that cover discreetly without chafing or fur-burn.
For Ellicott City resident, Amy Baker Lohr, her 19-month old West Highland White Terrier, Barney, is often referred to as the “Mayor of Charlestown” [Retirement Community] in Catonsville where he will wear his pumpkin costume this Friday for a Halloween Dog Show. Amy’s 96 year old mom, a resident, will hold court with this little Westie and his other furry friends at 2PM in the Care Center. FUROCIOUS knows first-hand that Governor William Donald Schaefer, a Charlestown resident himself, wanted a dog when he moved there (he was given a cat. Try putting that in a costume.). Maybe Barney will make some magic with his little pumpkin and visit our long-time friend WDS.
Diva dogs like Roxy of Severna Park are content going the Audrey Hepburn route with a simple strand of pearls. Call it her Breakfast at Tiffany’s costume (although in her mind, it’s not a costume at all). Roxy’s mother, Valerie Avedon Gardiner, wisely understands that in her Dachshund’s case, the stereotypical hot dog outfit would be the fashion equivalent of a whoopee cushion. As with Sydney, less is more, and Roxy can brag to the tail-set that this strand came from her biped sister, direct from Palm Beach. Say that over a Milk Bone and some spring water and you’ll hear some howling.
Running low on ideas, but still want to get into the spirit of the Halloween? If your dog is just the right size, try the children’s department at Target, Walmart, The Children’s Place or even Marshall’s for vests and T-shirts. As a reference, my Westie and Scottie (sad that I know this) wear 12 and 18-month size respectively. One Halloween, I was late for the party and ended up buying two darling Halloween T-shirts on sale at Target. What a hoot! Everyone loved it and my husband wasn’t too disgusted as I’d not turned the dogs into cartoon insects. Just remember: their legs do not rotate, twist or turn like humans. Make sure there is enough ‘give’ in the clothing and gently guide their little legs in and out of arm holes. Safety first!
Don’t have a dog to dress? Looking for last minute dog-spiration? Packed with hilarious Halloween photos of truly clever outfits is this site http://tinyurl.com/2btjwmz. On a more serious note, the Partnership for Animal Welfare (PAW) in Greenbelt, Maryland recognizes some pets and Halloween don’t mix. Safety tips to help navigate your four-legged furry through the holiday with few mishaps can be found here http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_HalloweenSafetyTipsforPetOwners.php
Lastly, we don’t all demonstrate our doting dog love on Halloween with a costume. This pumpkin carving done by Diane Bevensee at the Cafe Hon pumpkin carving contest earlier this week has immortalized “Jasper” - well, at least until the pumpkin wilts. A glowing tribute to a best friend. Judging, by the way, of the Cafe Hon carvings will be this Saturday, October 30th.
How do you pay homage to your pup? Tell us about your favorite canine costumes and…Happy Howl-o-ween, FUROCIOUS followers. High-paw!
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