Woof! Welcome to Dog Diaries — a weekly series where the dogs run the show. New York City is filled with hundreds of dogs of all ages, sizes, breeds, and personalities. And we’re going to meet them all! Well, we’re certainly going to try. This week, we’re spotlighting the dogs of the annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade.
Dear Dog Diary,
Happy autumn! The dog days of summer are officially over. Despite the warm weather we’ve been having lately, leaves are beginning to blanket the streets, cafés are advertising pumpkin-spiced beverages, and New Yorkers are abandoning their shorts for their sweaters. What does this mean for the dogs of the city? Well, before the bitter cold sets in, it’s time to put on a costume and hit the town.
On Saturday, Oct. 19, Tompkins Square Park held their 34th annual Halloween Dog Parade, and it was a madhouse. On Avenue B, from 6th to 14th Street, dense crowds lined the sidewalks, with cameras ready to take in the adorable festivities.
The costumes on display were a range of elaborate contraptions, clever puns, classic foods, and pop culture references. Unfortunately, it would be impossible to highlight every dog and owner who poured their heart, soul, and crafting skills into their looks, so here are a few pups in getups that caught my eye while I navigated the teeming streets.
Bird she/her, 8-year-old whippet chihuahua mix
Bird (yes, like the animal), and her owners, Phil and Caitlin, took their costume inspiration from this year’s Olympics — specifically the trailblazing, instantly iconic, crash-and-burn performance of Australian breakdancer Raygun. “We were obsessed,” Phil and Caitlin said. There were quite a few Olympics-themed costumes at the parade, but this one takes the cake. There’s something about a dog in a little hat that truly captures the jauntiness of the cultural moment. Bird was totally at home in her costume in the midst of the parade. According to her owners, she enjoys the attention. “She’s a showboat,” Phil and Caitlin explained. Hey, if the tracksuit fits, you might as well wear it!
Lucy she/her, chihuahua
Lucy and her entourage of aliens were impossible not to notice. She floated through the crowd, observing the terrestrial life of the East Village with an air of dignity that could only belong to a being not of this world. Her owner, Mimi (center), was accompanied by a host of family and friends scattered throughout the block — three astronauts, a Spock, a Kirk, and a handful of green aliens, all orbiting around Lucy. According to Mimi, this getup took two weeks and an ocean of tinfoil to come to life. And the work paid off — Lucy couldn’t have had more star power. “She’s showing off,” Mimi said. Lucy may not be an alien the rest of the year, but she certainly comes close. “She’s a New Yorker,” Mimi joked. “We’re all aliens.”
Panda (center) she/her, 8-year-old Boston terrier
This was Panda’s first year at the parade, and what an entrance she made. Her costume, inspired by popular 2000s band Panic! At the Disco, called to my inner emo 13-year-old and to many other parade attendees. Panda and her owner, Courtney (center), were stopping for pictures every few feet. According to Courtney, Panda hates other dogs. She’s pretty standoffish and prefers to be alone. Sounds like the emo identity might not just be a seasonal phase. “She’s indifferent to the parade,” Courtney said. Along with the classic emo swoop, Panda donned a black zip-up sweatshirt and was accompanied by friends in similar outfits. Panda, we love the look — just watch out for the jocks.
Winnie she/her, 3-year-old toy poodle
Do I even have to explain this costume? Winnie and her owners embodied “Brat” from the top of their Charli-inspired sunglasses down to Winnie’s bright green crocs. Winnie’s owners got their shirts printed at a small business in Brooklyn and only started thinking about this costume a few weeks ago. The people loved it. Parade-goers were running up to say hi, take pictures, and admire the commitment. “She loves the attention, just like her dad,” Winnie’s owners explained — I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree? Although she might enjoy the limelight every now and then, Winnie is the “opposite of Brat.” She’s a sweetie who loves other people and dogs, and she’s only five pounds! Winnie and her owners were by far my favorite reference, baby.
Bodhi he/him, 10-year-old chihuahua-daschund mix
Bodhi, coming up on the tail end of the parade dressed as a tray of dim sum, instantly had my stomach grumbling. Food costumes are a staple of the canine Halloween tradition — think hotdogs, tacos, and the like. Bodhi’s owner wanted to do something a little different. “I wanted to do something from my culture,” he said. Bodhi’s been going to the parade since he was young, so he’s comfortable in the crowded environment. In the past, Bodhi has gone as dumplings and even as a red and white Chinese takeout box. This year was a continuation of the tradition. Bodhi’s owner made the intricate costume entirely out of felt (with a matching hat for himself). This was an extensive project — he watched hours of real dumpling folding on YouTube to figure out the best way to construct the fabric delicacies. The cherry on top is the laminated paper menu that displays what’s available to order. Bodhi was cool as a cucumber: “He mostly does it for treats,” his owner explained, which left me wondering: dumplings or dog biscuits?
Although the Halloween season is coming to a close, keep an eye out next year for pet parades in your area. Dogs in costume can’t be beat. And if you’re like me, searching for a last-minute outfit, look no further than your furry friends. The annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade proves that whether you’re on two legs or four, the sky’s the limit.