Halloween Pet Parade Do's and Don'ts
Because your pet looks better in costume than you do
Let’s face it, your pet looks better in his costume than you do in yours.
I know that sounds rude, but you’re not eight years old anymore. Back then you couldn’t not be cute. No matter if your nose ran, or your spiderman outfit was too loose or too tight, or your Star Wars laser light beams batteries were dead. You just were cute period.
At some point that stopped.
Maybe cause you got to be my age. At my age wearing a too-tight spiderman outfit is rather off-putting, if not downright nauseating. Face facts. Hand it down to your pet ferret, and get your money’s worth out of it.
Consider your pet’s personality.
It’s always a good idea to factor your pet’s personality into the mix. A cute fluffy toy poodle would not be a good match for this prisoner’s stripe number. But this pooch has the mean mug to pull it off.
Chances are he’s not jumping up and down begging for a walk. Or licking your face fifty times a minute. Or humping your leg. Well, maybe that. But you get what I mean.
Use your noggin. This threatening canine would not look or feel right in the bumblebee outfit featured below. But that little terrier mutt loves it. See! He’s even smiling.
This takes some practice or artistic sensibility, but we trust with some time, you’ll get the hang of it. Until then, notice what comments you get. If this costume gets too many oh how cute’s, you’ve blown it.
But if the kiddies run for mommy’s skirts, you’ve nailed it. And Halloween is, after all, supposed to be spooky.
A Word about the Kitties
Felines have feelings, too.
They may act aloof, and they often resent being dressed up in something just because you think it’s fun.
So pay attention to their eyes and their tales. Those tales don’t lie. if your cat does not want to play, that tell-tale tale should tell you.
Or they might slip out of the costume two seconds after the forty-five minutes it took to wrangle them into it. But if it did take forty-five minutes to wrangle them into it, that should have told you something right there.
Sometimes treats help. We got this black kitty into her batty wings using fresh salmon. If the reward is right, you just might succeed in your efforts. But remember, cats are very finicky and they can be persnickety.
But if you’re going as a witch and happen to have a black cat at home, take some pictures. Cause your cat is going to hiss and arch its back on cue about as often as you and your broomstick are able to get off the ground.
Make every moment count.
Once you get your pet into their costume, don’t waste any time.
Do the thing you’re intending to do right away, in case something goes wrong. In case your pet manages to chew its way out of the costume. Or rolls in the mud in it, or lies down in dogged defeat and refuses to get up.
This is where cameras come in handy. You can get a lot of mileage out of one or two cute photos. whereas personal appearances, especially contests or parades may be hard to pull off.
Some pets are fine at home but they freak out around people. especially kids. they’re not used to Halloween crowds, loud noises, and things that go bump in the night.
And you don’t want Fido disqualified because he had an accident on the rug in the lobby waiting for his turn with the judges.
If your pet’s costume also makes a salient social slogan, by all means, go for it. This cutie can help remind us that bees are endangered and we need them to pollinate our fruits and flowers. And no, the way dogs stop at every fire hydrant may remind you of bees pollinating but it’s hardly the same thing!
If all else fails, there’s always Christmas.
Just in case it takes too much time and energy to figure out this whole pet costume thing, don’t despair.
Christmas is right around the corner. In fact, the decorations will be in your favorite stores starting November 1. Carols will start blasting from loudspeakers everywhere you go any second.
But in reality, you still have just shy of two months to prepare. To practice, to shop, or to handcraft your own homespun creations. And get Fluffy used to wearing it.
Cold weather helps. Having your dog used to wearing coats helps. Giving them drugs helps. So don’t sweat. There’s time.
Meanwhile, you can still trot out that tight Spiderman outfit and make a go of it. Cut a slit up the back and wear a jacket. You’ll be fine. I promise!
Marilyn Flower writes humor to laugh the changes she wants to see and make. She’s the author of Creative Blogging: Ninja Writers Guide to Character Development and Bucket Listers, Get Your Brave On. Clowning and improvisation strengthen her resolve during these crazy times. Stay in touch!
Marilyn, I love getting your posts. They always brighten my day your unique levity.