Costumed canines get their chance to trick-or-treating at Howloween event in Michigan
LANSING, Mich. — LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Dogs dressed as everything from Elvis Presley to the Mystery Machine from Scooby Doo were brought to Michigan’s capital Friday as part of a local pet store’s annual Howloween event.
The costumed dogs made a loop through the arts district of Old Town Lansing, stopping in front of restaurants, gift shops and jewelry stores, where owners waited to offer them treats and a scratch behind the ears.
Wendy Beck’s dog, Bella, “got full of biscuits” and had to stop along the route to take a nap. This was 9-year-old St. Bernard’s first Holloween, but Alicia Town’s dog, Mojo, is a veteran in more ways than one.
The 13-year-old Pomeranian was a tank driver, riding around in a small green tank — an ode to Town’s husband serving in the military.
“There are so many dogs and so many people. You see the cutest things,” Town said. “People go beyond their costumes, and you get everything. It’s amazing.”
Makenzie Smith-Emrich accompanied her pit bull, Sadie, who was dressed as a pumpkin from the kissing booth.
“It’s something we look forward to all year, because it’s something we can do with our dogs and they absolutely love it,” the Lansing resident said. “And they can dress up and people pay attention to them.”
The event is organized each year by Preuss Pets, an Old Town staple. The number of dogs is limited to 200 and their owners must pre-register. It’s all part of an effort to keep the numbers down for safety reasons.
Kirbay Preuss said Howloween was “joyous” and “a very good thing.”
“I think right now, with everything going on in the world, we need more happy events, and that’s what this is about,” she said.
