Do you dress up your pet for Halloween?

[Elyse Orecchio]

More to the point, does your pet let you??

What have been some memorable costumes? If you have pics, we wanna see!

Got anything good in mind for this year?

[John Adams]

Good topic. I hope it gets a lot of replies!

This is my opinion. I'm not angry or frustrated, so please take this the right way.

I am from the old school of thought; Dogs never did wear clothes, and it should be the same today, and actually forever, except for ill or tiny little dog breeds that live in climates they are not used to.

And as for dressing a dog up to make them look cute or silly, or for a celebration, I'm a believer of it being wrong.

All domesticated dogs belong to the canine family, not the human family. They are our best friend, life long companions and protectors, not out toys or something to be laughed at. And statistics prove that the majority of dog owners, dog lovers and the general public do not like the idea of dogs being dressed up.

Really looking forward to how everybody feels about this question!
Sincerely,
John from www.dogexplained.com

[Caitlin]

I think you're entitled to your opinion. I would also like to share mine in the same spirit of non-frustration! I understand the importance of being respectful to our pets - I grew up with a cat that was like a child to me, and now my family has a 3 year old Bichon Frise, Harry, that we all love very much. Harry is one of the happiest creatures I've ever met of any species, human or otherwise. I can understand why, because he lives a life full of affection, companionship, and exercise, as well as having all his needs for food and shelter met. He lives with my parents, who take very good care of him. Friends and strangers alike comment on how happy he always seems to be.

Harry has an extensive wardrobe, some of it for function, some of it for fun. In the winter it gets extremely cold, so Harry wears a coat and boots to protect his body and paws from the freezing temperatures and the salt on the ground. He also wears a rain suit when it is especially wet outside, because he is very low to the ground and so if there are puddles he gets very dirty without his suit. He does not particularly enjoy wearing these items, but he also is not particularly annoyed at it. (He is not one to hide it when he's upset about something.) Although these clothes are not ultimately necessary, and he would be alright without them, they do have a function that is useful during bad weather.

Harry also has been dressed up for Halloween every year. He doesn't get excited to put the costume on, but as I said, he also doesn't show any signs of being upset. He is quite a ham and really seems to enjoy the extra attention from trick-or-treating neighbors.

I agree with your opinion that dressing up a pet just to make a mockery out of the animal is wrong, but in the case of our family, Harry is a very happy dog and dressing him up doesn't make him unhappy and isn't done as a sign of disrespect. I think it depends on the circumstances and the reaction of each individual dog. There are some dogs that don't enjoy it, there are some dogs that do enjoy it, and there are some dogs that don't have strong feelings either way.

[Caitlin]

Harry and his two neighborhood dog friends were the three little pigs two years ago. Last year he was a bumble bee. Here are pictures of him in his Christmas attire for our Christmas Card.

[bibi]

your dog is like mine I dress him and he stays there like nothing happen. I take pictures and he loves it

[Kate]

I only dress up my dog (Becky) for Halloween. I've been doing it for about 3 years and it's been great! My friends and I all take our dogs out for about an hour, and we make them Halloween dog treats and stuff. The first year I took Becky out I dressed her up as a princess (tiara, pink dress, pink doggie boots); the second year she was a Met's fan (Met's t-shirt, painted her nails orange and blue), and this past year she was a clown (ordered online).

[Amanda]

I have tried and failed numerous times. Every year I buy him a cute halloween costume and he puts up his nose and walks away. He does however love his winter coat and rain coat for walks....go figure haha

[bibi]

My dog loves his rain coat

[Krisztina]

These pictures are from Halloween they were the security guards for the party. Foster (brindle pit) had surgery right after that so that is why his eye is that way. (now its a lot better)
For Christmas they both had on dress shirts. This year i'm not sure yet, i try have them wear things that they don't mind that much. They hate things on their heads, (other than their rain coat hood when they go out in the rain to potty)

[Amanisha]

Yes, I will admit I dressed my pug up in a princess costum. It's on my page if anyone wants to see. She was very mad at me for doing so, but she looked very cute. i am thinking next year I will make her a hot dog or something. I am not sure. Diasy is really not the princess type in fact she is the queen and she knows it. Maybe humbling her to a hotdog this year will help.

[jayman]

you know dressing pets up for halloween is wrong! they HATE that

[Sara]

I never dress my pets. I just think that they'd rather not have itchy and uncomfortable outfit on. And they probably don't like it.

[Edda Bataan]

oh my god that is the cutest picture of a dog I have seen in a while God Bless and your pup looks like he owns the outfit!!!! My kids loved it!!!!!