Good Golly Miss Molly!

May 27, 2009 -

I've discovered that there are few things that are more fun to celebrate in the Fall than dressing up my little miss Molly in her bumblebee costume for the Howl-O-Ween party (setting aside, of course, shopping for Fall clothes and shoes). She's still very much a baby, and her soft, wondering eyes more than once glided a questioning look at me, but she proudly wore her costume and sat prettily at my side, when she wasn't trying to make friends with two other "bees" across the aisle from her or hogging down her doggie ice cream.

Molly as a bee with Bumper the ladybug

Molly invited her friend, Bumper, who wore a bright red ladybug costume - both dogs sans hood. They apparently agreed early on that it just didn't make good dog fashion sense. That's my girl!

The store was absolutely filled with dogs in costume - I didn't see any other pets, but some of our other stores were lucky enough to see cats in the spirit. My favorite was this enormous English bulldog dressed as a bumblebee. My little girl may have looked beautiful, but I loved the incongruity of this rotund, snorting, wrinkled fellow in his delicate bee costume. I think the poor training instructor - who led the event - would have been well-served to have had a headset amplifier. She did her best to yell over the hum of excited pets and parents, but it was clearly a challenge to be heard. I suggested to our in-store event team so hopefully they'll consider that for next year. We were at the store for nearly two hours, just enjoying the event and all of the other pets and their families. I'm not sure if I'm setting little miss expectations a bit too high, with a party and costumes and doggie ice cream. She seemed to get herself settled into the social scene a scant too easily. She handled it with a quiet grace that made me swell with pride. But I hope she doesn't get the idea this kind of thing will happen often. Once a year, my dear, once a year. If you happen to have attended the event, or are involving your pet in your Halloween activities, I'd love to hear from you. ~ Shana

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