Grand Prairie, Texas, resident Alejandrina Rodriguez, 42, and her dog Tutsy walk down the red carpet during the Howl-O-Ween Doggie Costume Contest at the Downtown Arlington Doggie Depot on Oct. 11. Rodriguez and Tutsy won best overall costume.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
The sound of barking dogs dressed to the nines brightened the Downtown Arlington Doggie Depot on Saturday at the first-ever Howl-O-Ween Doggie Costume Contest.
The heat and sun did not stop the competition, and the 20 contestants walked the red carpet, showing off fun, glamorous costumes to popular ’80s songs. Fan favorites included dogs dressed as a chicken, a hot dog and Ahsoka Tano from Star Wars.
Arlington resident Sarah Bartel, 30, adjusts Sutton’s collar during the Howl-O-Ween Doggie Costume Contest at the Downtown Arlington Doggie Depot on Oct. 11. Dogs competed in categories including best costume overall, funniest costume, most creative/DIY costume and best owner/dog duo costume.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
Marissa Soto, Arlington resident and event coordinator, 39, said she wanted to bring attention to the doggie depot and create a fun community downtown.
“At the end of all this, it was just watching dogs in costumes, I was like, ‘I’m going to end up having a great time,’” Soto said.
These canines went paw-to-paw for four categories: funniest costume, most creative/DIY costume, best owner/dog duo and best costume overall.
Arlington resident Rosa Cano, 33, and her dogs Oso and Carline pose for judges during the Howl-O-Ween Doggie Costume Contest at the Downtown Arlington Doggie Depot on Oct. 11. Dogs needed to be registered to take part in the contest.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
Grapevine, Texas, resident Megan Aeschbach, 35, won DIY and most creative with her goldendoodle Tyger, dressed in a handsewn Dallas Cowboys cheerleader uniform.
Aeschbach said sewing the jewels onto Tyger’s costume took the longest and wasn’t finished until the night before. She said she wasn’t sure if they’d compete; she just wanted to go out to the event.
“It’s great to get people out, spend time outside, see other dogs,” she said. “I love dog-friendly events that I can take her to.”
Dressed up as Superman, Teddy walks down the red carpet in the Howl-O-Ween Doggie Costume Contest at the Downtown Arlington Doggie Depot on Oct. 11. The event began at 3 p.m.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
The judges had raving reviews of the competition. Doreen Bruner, Downtown Arlington Management Corp. chair and one of the judges, 70, said she hopes the event becomes annual.
“The chicken one just cracked me up,” Bruner said.
Arlington resident Citlali Pacheco, 29, was one of the judges and said it was hard to choose who had the best costumes.
Arlington resident Mitchell Ogilvie, 32 holds Lola during the Howl-O-Ween Doggie Costume Contest at the Downtown Arlington Doggie Depot on Oct. 11. The contest wrapped up with an after-paw-ty for pups and people at Division Brewing.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
“They were all so cute,” Pacheco said. “They’re all winners to me.”
Grand Prairie, Texas, resident Kyle Collett, 35, dressed up as a TIE fighter pilot and won the best owner and dog costume with his dog Zoey, who dressed up as his captive Ahsoka Tano.
Collett said Zoey would be in for a doggy pie even if she didn’t win.
Electrical engineering sophomore Jasmyne King smiles with Jaja during the Howl-O-Ween Doggie Costume Contest at the Downtown Arlington Doggie Depot on Oct. 11. King chose a chicken costume for Jaja because he likes to bark.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
Grand Prairie resident Alejandrina Rodriguez, 42, and her dog Tutsy won best costume overall, dressed as Snow White and the Evil Queen.
When asked how she felt after winning, Tutsy made no comment. No barks, no panting, just a wagging tail.
@tay._.sansom @atclements03