LANSING, Mich. – The city of Lansing turned into a canine carnival on Friday as dogs paraded through the streets in costumes ranging from Elvis Presley to the iconic Mystery Machine from Scooby Doo. This delightful spectacle was part of the annual Howloween event, orchestrated by a local pet store.
In a festive loop around Lansing’s Old Town arts district, these charmingly clad pups made stops at various eateries, gift boutiques, and jewelry outlets. Here, their owners eagerly awaited with treats and affectionate ear scratches.
Wendy Beck’s St. Bernard, Bella, indulged in an array of biscuits and even needed a short nap to recharge during her first-ever Halloween. Meanwhile, Alicia Town’s seasoned companion, Mojo, strutted his stuff in a little green tank, paying tribute to Town’s husband, an Army serviceman. At 13, this Pomeranian is a veteran of the event, both in age and experience.
Town expressed her delight, saying, “There are so many dogs and so many people. You see the cutest things. People go above and beyond on their costumes, and you get everything. It’s amazing.”
Among the participants was Makenzie Smith-Emrich with her pit bull, Sadie, who charmed onlookers dressed as a pumpkin-themed kissing booth.
Makenzie Smith-Emrich accompanied her pitbull, Sadie, who was dressed up as a kissing booth pumpkin.
“This is something we wait for all year, because it’s something that we can do with our dogs that they absolutely adore,” the Lansing resident said. “And they get to dress up, and people give them attention.”
The event is organized each year by Preuss Pets, an Old Town fixture. The number of dogs is capped at 200, and their owners have to pre-register. It is all part of an effort to keep the numbers down for safety’s sake.
Kirbay Preuss said Howloween is “joyous” and “a very good thing.”
“I think right now with everything going on in the world we need more joyous events, and that’s what this is,” she said.
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