Dogs certainly had their day when they got into the Halloween spirit Saturday at Frankfort Park District’s sixth annual Howl-a-Woof event.
Canines of all shapes and sizes descended on the Bark Park in Commissioners Park to seek out treats in the “bone yard,” participate in a costume contest and meet up with fellow furry friends.
Zoey, a 14-week-old Dachshund, stole the show as a Vienna beef hot dog, accompanied by owner Tracy Mirabelli, of Beecher, dressed as a hot dog vendor. The costumes were made from thrift store items and refashioned paper hats from Steak and Shake, Mirabelli said.
“She’s my baby. I love doing stuff with my dog,” said Mirabelli, who recently received Zoey as a birthday present. “She has a whole wardrobe.”
Other owners got into the act as well.
Lisa Williams and her dog Joshua, for example, were dressed in hospital gowns with bandaged heads.
In spite of appearances, they were there for “fun,” said Gale Lunsford, who helped wheel Joshua’s oxygen tank.
“It’s a beautiful park,” Lunsford said. “This is a well-run event. Everyone here is so nice.”
The event was for pets as much as pet owners. Humans snapped photos while the four-legged participants sniffed out new friends.
While Zoey was not the only hot dog in the bunch, there also were clowns, “superdogs,” a police officer, a bat, a sailor — even Elvis.
Some of the pooches seemed to enjoy showing off in their costumes and garnering attention, but others rejected the hats on their furry heads and rolled in the grass.
T-Bone, the sailor, loves to dress up and get attention, said Jenna Jaber, of Frankfort, and usually accompanies his family members when they trick or treat in their neighborhood.
Tiny Sheldon was a “reluctant clown,” his owner Ashley Henderson, of Monee, said. He doesn’t like being dressed up, but he does enjoy coming to the Bark Park, she said.
Some dogs seemed confused by having to be leashed in a park in which they normally are allowed to run free. Cody, the Siberian Huskie, let his owner Nathan Propheter, of Frankfort, know his frustration with an occasional howl.
He wanted to “dance” with his “girlfriend,” Meka, whom he frequently meets up with at the Bark Park, Propheter said.
Both came for the trick-or-treating, minus costumes.
According to Cali DeBella, special events coordinator for the Frankfort Park District, about 60 dogs participated in the Howl-a-Woof this year.
The trio of judges decided that the scariest dogs were Jake and Gus, a pair of Golden Retrievers, dressed as Pennywise and a boy from the new movie “It,” based on the Stephen King novel.
It was their fourth time participating in Howl-a-Woof, owner Ken Lehocky, of New Lenox, said.
“They have a great time here,” he said.
Prizes for the funniest costumes went to “superdogs” Jack and Uno, a pair of Golden Doodles, owned by Margaret and Ryan Gory of Oak Lawn. Last year, they came as tacos.
“We like pet events and they like car rides,” said Margaret Gory, adding they also attended the park district’s Easter Egg hunt for dogs. “They have nice events.”
Dawn Winter’s two Puggles attracted a lot of attention: Peppermint Patty won a prize for funniest costume with her Beetlejuice outfit, while 9-week-old Sally, dressed as Wonder Woman, was likely the youngest dog at the event.
One-year-old Lucca, an Argentinian mastiff, was dressed as a blue-winged fairy.
“We came for the fun of it. I like seeing all the costumes,” said her owner Lori Ortiz, of Frankfort Square.
“We bring her to lots of events. We try to get involved in our community. She’s our only child,” she said.
Twitter @SusanLaff
