Poppy, a 6-month-old Papillion, was having the time of her life playing among the pumpkins during the Barks and Boos event at The Green at UTC on Oct. 10.
It seemed only natural the tiny dog would have just as much fun in the costume contest that was going to take place a bit later.
But Poppy's owner, Samantha Hess of Sarasota, said her dog was not going to participate, even if she is a cutie.
"She won't wear it," Hess said of her dog's costume. "She is a little witch."
Poppy wasn't the only dog that balked when it came to costume time, but plenty of other dogs seemed to have a ball walking down the runway in costume, in front of the judges.
Sarasota's Patrick Schaffer and Britteny Boyd attend all the dog-related events on the second Tuesday of the month at The Green. Their golden retriever Gracie had no trouble wearing a sheriff's costume at the event.
"We just love meeting new people and making friends here," Schaffer said of the events at The Green.
The event was co-sponsored by Benderson Development and Boo's Ice House and Dog Bar. In addition to the costume contest, there was live music, drinks, vendors, and a raffle to benefit Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue.
Tampa's Madi Sparks won the Most Creative division of the costume contest at Barks and Boos with 13-year-old Daisy, who seemed to enjoy her perch in a popcorn machine.
Photo by Jay Heater
K. Naran and Lindie Naran enjoy Barks and Boos with their Australian labradoodles CoCo and Zoey.
Photo by Jay Heater
Kaleigh Sulkowski, 2-year-old Amelia Sulkowski, 7-year-old Labrador-mix Tito, and Jake Sulkowski attend Barks and Boos at The Green.
Photo by Jay Heater
Poppy, a 6-month-old Papillon, checks out some pumpkins at The Green. Poppy belongs to Sarasota's Samantha Hess.
Photo by Jay Heater
Benderson Development's Julie Fanning scoops up Lulu, a morkie, and Winnie, a pumi, in anticipation of the contest.
Photo by Jay Heater
The Barks and Boos costume contest winners are Myakka's Alexis Urban with Zanie as a spider (Scariest); Tampa's Madi Sparks with Daisy in Pupcorn (Most Creative); and Sarasota's Olivia Gibson with Pixie as a cheerleader (Cutest).
Photo by Jay Heater
Nate's Honor Animal Rescue's Rob Oglesby shows off a couple of the rescue's current tenants, Jackie and Victoria, who are terrier-mix sisters.
Photo by Jay Heater
Gus Arevalo of Wimauma makes sure Vizla's shark costume is a good fit before the costume contest at The Green at UTC.
Photo by Jay Heater
Nacho, a 10-year-old Chihuahua, and Julianna Vazquez man their LIT Dog Treats booth at the Barks and Boos event at The Green at UTC.
Photo by Jay Heater
Sarasota's Kim Edwards straightens out the wings on Chief, her 7-month-old German shepherd.
Photo by Jay Heater
Lakewood Ranch's Amy Hoover, playing Taylor Swift, and 5-year-old basset hound Dooley, playing Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, get ready to walk the Boos and Barks runway for the costume contest.
Photo by Jay Heater
Sarasota's Val Monroy gets her little pirate, 11-year-old Maltipoo Kuky, ready for the contest.
Photo by Jay Heater
Sarasota's Sofia Monroy shows off 11-year-old Kobe, a Maltipoo, before the contest.
Photo by Jay Heater
Tampa's Madi Sparks won the Most Creative division of the costume contest at Barks and Boos with 13-year-old Daisy, who seemed to enjoy her perch in a popcorn machine.
Photo by Jay Heater
Sarasota's Patrick Schaffer and 7-month-old Gracie play the convict and the sheriff in the Barks and Boos costume contest at The Green in UTC.
Jay Heater is the managing editor of the East County Observer. Overall, he has been in the business more than 41 years, 26 spent at the Contra Costa Times in the San Francisco Bay area as a sportswriter covering college football and basketball, boxing and horse racing.
