Halloween is an exciting event for many of us since we get to dress our favorite pop culture characters, and the children dressing up can get chocolates and candies for the trick-or-treat tradition. But not only can humans dress up for Halloween, but dogs can also wear their favorite characters. Wouldn’t it be cute to see our furry friends all dressed up?
The Humane Society of Ocean City hosted its fourth annual “Howl-O-Ween” spectacle last October 28 at the Boardwalk in Ocean City, New Jersey. Normally, dogs are banned at the Boardwalk, but the city allows them during Howl-O-Ween festivities for the entire “Dog Days” weekend. Dogs must be leashed when joining the celebration, and they’re only allowed from 9 AM to 3 PM.
One of the dogs who joined the “Howl-O-Ween” spectacle is 4-year-old Buoy who is a Golden Retriever. He is dressed as Woody from Pixar’s Toy Story franchise. Together with Buoy is his doggy brother Matteo, who has another Woody character that is attached to his back.
Buoy and Matteo were among the 400 dogs who joined in the festivities. Many of these dogs are dressed in their costumes as they strutted down the Boardwalk. All of the dogs in the parade sensed that they were wearing silly costumes as people who were watching couldn’t help but laugh. These dogs were dressed as Barbie dolls, hotdogs, Halloween characters, athletes, movie stars, and many more.
More Howl-O-Ween Costumes
Aside from dogs, many dog owners also dress up in costumes, such as one couple who portrays Beetlejuice and Shrunken Head Man. While another couple dressed up in their 1960s-inspired groovy outfits. Many are also dressed as witches and pirates, accompanying their dogs in wearing costumes.
Phillie Phanatic entertained the crowd and their dogs with his high energy, while Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Vince Papale autographed footballs and memorabilia from fans.
Owners, George and Lisa Farrachio dressed up their English Bulldogs, Lola and Lily, in a girly outfit. Lola was dressed as a Hawaiian dancer with a hula skirt and coconut. On the other hand, Lily was dressed in a poodle skirt for her 1950s-inspired outfit.
It was the Farrachio couple’s first time attending the Howl-O-Ween event as they hoped that the city would open the Boardwalk for dogs.
Diane Coleman, who was vacationing at the shore from her hometown in Michigan, was accompanied by her friend Terri Peterson in bringing two of her Dachshunds Daisy and Zoey after she jokingly said that the dogs insisted that they should be at the Boardwalk for the “Howl-O-Ween” parade.
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About The Howl-O-Ween Parade
The “Howl-O-Ween” parade was actually one of the main fundraising events for the Humane Society of Ocean City (HSOC), as it also coincides with their “Pet of The Year” contest, which raises about $16,000 according to Bella Elias, who handles the social media and marketing for HSOC.
Elias thanked every pet owner and their dogs who joined in the event. She also expressed gratitude to the city workers, including Mayor Jay Gillian, other city officials, and the police department for the community partnership that they have shown, which is a big help for the dogs under their care.
In case you’re unfamiliar with it, HSOC is a no-kill shelter for dogs and cats as they try to get them adopted and find a new home. According to Elias, the events raise money to support and fund the organization. For her, it creates a sense of community and puts a smile on everyone’s faces.
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From The Club
Dogs in Halloween costumes are one of the contents in social media reels that I love browsing. As a dog owner, I’m getting ideas for styling my dogs, especially on their birthdays. As for HSOC, it’s nice to know that the “Howl-O-Ween” event was created to bring joy to owners and their dogs by dressing up as their favorite characters. Together, dog owners have come to support dog shelters in raising their dogs as they wait for a family to adopt them.
