LOS ALAMITOS, CA — This year’s Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade was a roaring (or woofing) success! Denizens of Long Beach all flocked to the Belmont Shore park that served as the parade route.
Before the parade, there were several tents and booths set up to sell a variety of pet-related gear ranging from dog-food companies to custom costume makers. Costumed parade watchers milled around eagerly perusing the wares as they searched for more ways to pamper their pets.
At promptly 2:30 p.m., the pet owners and pets lined up and began to promenade down the bike path that was their runway. Some dogs were able to embrace the spotlight, patiently sitting on their wagons or carriers that had been decorated to match the theme of their costumes. Others were less willing to face the masses and, overexcited, they shook their heads and scratched their bodies, sending wigs flying and leaving poor owners to wrangle their overexcited pooches. One particular Flintstones-themed float had its Cocker Spaniel attempt to leap out and make a break for freedom mid-route!
Some costumes were more traditional, like the dime-a-dozen hamburger or pizza, but others were more niche, like owners wearing Linus and Lucy costumes while one dog was dressed as Snoopy and the other as the Great Pumpkin from the Charlie Brown Halloween special. “Star Wars,” “Toy Story,” and “Barbie” seemed to be popular themes, with no less than three separate groups each.
It was apparent that for many owners, this was the highlight of the Halloween season, with weeks of work leading up to planning their costumes, designing their floats, and decorating their pooches entirely.
The highlight of the parade was clearly a Barbie-themed float complete with bubbles, an elaborate design, and dancing pet wonders surrounding it.
The eventful day concluded, and happy pet owners and pets returned home full of the Halloween spirit.
