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Pups get dressed up for Bark-O-Ween

A county-hosted costume contest showed that dogs can love Halloween just as much as their owners.


  • By Cassidy Alexander
  • | 3:01 p.m. October 21, 2017
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share

Halloween gives everyone a chance to pretend to be something else. Bark-O-Ween on Oct. 21 was the dogs' chance. 

Dogs and their owners gathered in Arlington Paw Park  for a county-hosted costume contest. The event culminated in a parade of dogs, who were judged and won prizes in several categories. 

Dogs of all shapes and sizes were dressed up like sharks, fairies, superheroes, pumpkins — there was even a canine geisha. People got snacks, the dogs got goodie bags and everyone got a few really good photo-ops. 

 

Peggy Cockerill and her dog, Sookie.
Peggy Cockerill and her dog, Sookie.
Patty Reid and Buster.
Patty Reid and Buster.
Heidi Kaplan and her dog, Charlie, won Most Creative Costume for their geisha outfit.
Heidi Kaplan and her dog, Charlie, won Most Creative Costume for their geisha outfit.
Bowser and his family — Uhtred, Amy and Selkie Garner — won Best Overall Costume for their canine version of a minion.
Bowser and his family — Uhtred, Amy and Selkie Garner — won Best Overall Costume for their canine version of a minion.
Cody Jeffers and her dog Penny, left, and Darlene Antinori and Reesie.
Cody Jeffers and her dog Penny, left, and Darlene Antinori and Reesie.
Britta Saemann and Martin Galea check out Bark-O-Ween with Charlotte, George, Chloe and Stella.
Britta Saemann and Martin Galea check out Bark-O-Ween with Charlotte, George, Chloe and Stella.
David and Laura Dessauer and their rescue dog Sweet Pea won Funniest Costume.
David and Laura Dessauer and their rescue dog Sweet Pea won Funniest Costume.
The dogs parade around Arlington Paw Park to show off their costumes.
The dogs parade around Arlington Paw Park to show off their costumes.
One of these dogs is not like the others... Jamie and Connor Jalwan came to check out the event.
One of these dogs is not like the others... Jamie and Connor Jalwan came to check out the event.
Yishai and Lucy Sprung, and their dog Ponchik, were one of the judge's picks.
Yishai and Lucy Sprung, and their dog Ponchik, were one of the judge's picks.
The whole crew gathered for a photo in Arlington Paw Park at Bark-O-Ween.
The whole crew gathered for a photo in Arlington Paw Park at Bark-O-Ween.
Lucia and Andrew Panica and their dog Zoe were one of the judge's picks.
Lucia and Andrew Panica and their dog Zoe were one of the judge's picks.
Skyler Rissler and her dog Maddie had matching costumes, and were one of the judge's picks.
Skyler Rissler and her dog Maddie had matching costumes, and were one of the judge's picks.

 

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