LaGrange to hold dog costume contest Saturday

Like dressing up your pooch in Halloween costumes?

Well, get your dog gussied up Saturday and head over to the Town of LaGrange for the Halloween Dog Costume Contest.

It starts at noon at the See Spot Run Off-Leash Area on Overlook Road, just north of Route 55 and east of the Poughkeepsie town line.

To participate, there is a $5 donation/entry fee, which includes chances to win dog-grooming prizes. Refreshments, including cider and doughnuts, will be served.

LaGrange Supervisor Jon Wagner will be the master of ceremonies for the contest.

The rain date is noon Nov. 1.

Here is a video to give you some costume ideas.

My favorite: The Hulk

New Yorkers know how to celebrate Halloween with their dogs — by making them wear costumes.

Clever ones, at that.

Take a look at the costumed pooches at a couple of recent dog festivals in Manhattan, from Gothamist.com.

Costume contests?

In response to a comment asking if there were any Halloween costume contests for pets this year, petco.com is having an online contest which you can find here.

Does anyone else know of anything that's going on this week?

Let us know.

Cute Halloween costumes

The Washington Post has a slide show of reader-submitted pet Halloween costumes.

Besides your basic dogs and cats, there is even a ferret and a horse.

I would hate to think of the trick that horse might do if you didn't provide the treat.

Again, a plea for dignity

Early last week — yes, last week — I took Kate out in the evening to do her thing and I heard a strange rumbling sound, almost like a muffled radio transmission.

Then at the end of it I heard "Happy Halloween!" followed by demonic laughter.

October's going to be a looooooooong month.

My neighbors, in addition to a skeleton on their front porch, have put some sort of motion-activated device that plays spooky sounds. And it seems to be able to detect motion from across the street.

So far, every evening, Kate and I have been greeted by the sounds of the season — well ahead of the season.

Speaking of Halloween, take a look at this picture.

Do you do this to your pets?


They don't call it a dog's life for nothing. Please, people, give your dog a break and no costumes this year.

But if you must, take pictures and send them in to me. I'll post them for all to see.

(Photo of Mocha by Kathy McLaughlin/Poughkeepsie Journal)