Costumed canines compete at SaddleBrooke Dog Park

Dan Stebbins

Several dozen dogs, their SaddleBrooke owners, and a large crowd of holiday observers celebrated on October 31 with a Halloween costume contest.

The event at the SaddleBrooke dog park featured both canines and owners in costumes judged for cuteness, comic appearance, originality and scariness. Winners among both large and small dogs were awarded trophies. Judges also noted overall best costume and best costume duo of dog and owner.

Small dog winners: The trophy for best costume among small dogs went to Nicky, a Skye Terrier who was dressed like a pirate and owned by Carol Kochiss. Two dogs tied for cutest, Abbey, a Cairn Terrier, who was dressed as a piñata, and owned by Janice and Marlin Waller, and Turbo, a Westie, who was costumed as a peacock and owned by Darlene Weprich. Both the funniest and most original among the small dogs was Bear, a Pomeranian, dressed as Donald Trump and owned by Betty Kolling. Judged scariest was Oliver, a Puggle, dressed as a ghost and owned by Milka Triebe. The duo award went to Marlin and Janice Waller. Both their dogs, Digby, a Border Terrier, and Abbey, the Cairn Terrier, were costumed as piñatas.

Large dog winners: Among large dogs, Kona, a Black Lab owned by Jan and Dan Stebbins, took honors as the best-costumed dog and most original. Kona was dressed as a mermaid. Her human companion was garbed as Neptune, and the pair garnered the best-duo award. Annie, a German Shepard mix, disguised as the devil, was scariest of the large dogs. She is owned by Jo Case. Karen and Don Richey’s Australian Shepard, Sydney, was judged cutest among the large dogs. A Golden Doodle dressed as a skunk, Kelsea, owned by Garrett and Sharon Ressing, won the “funniest” award in the large dog category.

Sponsors of the festive event provided prizes and bags with dog treats for the four-legged contestants. Terri Maxey of Long Realty provided as did Rawhide Feed and Supply, which included a coupon for a rawhide chew. Doreen’s Boarding and Grooming awarded gift certificates for both boarding and grooming. Camp Bow Wow donated two $50 gift certificates for grooming and boarding while Petco donated a dog bed to a winning dog in the costume contest and also donated four dog beds to Pet Rescue.