Okay, so you dress your Golden Retriever up in a pet costume. So what if those nosy neighbors are whispering behind your back? Your pup thrives on all the positive attention and you love the laughs. Besides, there is no better way to meet interesting people with a sense of humor (and their dogs) than at the dog park. Who knows? When that cute little Beagle catches sight of your Weimaraner strutting his stuff in his shiny yellow K-9 firefighter costume, you might have to extinguish the flames.
They say you can't tell a man by his clothes. But what can you tell about him from his dog's clothing? You can bet that when you saunter down the sidewalk with a Hound dog dressed as an Elvis Impersonator, people will instantly know you. Or at least they'll know your taste in music. Of course, there are downsides to walking a Doberman dressed in a nurse's pet costume. You might be called into action during a medical emergency, but that won't be so bad if your Dobie also happens to be a licensed medical practitioner.
Be prepared for interaction with strangers (emphasis on the "strange"). In other words, folks who are a lot like you. A pet costume is not for the shy, the introvert, or the faint of heart. At the least, you can expect to make someone smile; and at the very most you may be found guilty of recklessly spreading humor. Never mind that, just continue about your business with your darling Pug who is dressed in a grass hula skirt and a flower lei. If you're so busy shopping that you forget your Miniature Dachschund is wearing a Halloween fright wig and a cape, someone is bound to remind you as they stop, point, and start giggling uncontrollably.
Dogs love the attention and special treatment they're sure to receive, but be fair to the felines. Don't leave Miss Kitty out of the pet fashion loop. You can find a costume for your cat, as well. They range in style from the sublime to the hilarious. Last Halloween your black tomcat seemed to enjoy scaring the trick-or-treaters, but imagine the fun he'll have seated in the window dressed up in a cape and a tall witch's hat. Now, that's spooky.
For the genuinely shameless pet owner, there are holiday pet costume. Decking the halls just not enough for you? Then deck your dog out too, in a Santa outfit with red jacket and plush white fur trimmings. Your Collie might attend the next soiree dressed as a Christmas tree. Pet clothing doesn't have to resemble clothes, after all. You could dress up your pooch as the Easter bunny, or one of Santa's reindeer.
Is your Standard Poodle a regular princess? Dress her up in a pink satin tutu and she'll appear to have leaped right off the chorus line of the neighborhood production of the Nutcracker Suite. She will surely lighten up those dreary winter days. How about an elf pet costume for your Silky Terrier? In a sweet little pixie collar and a miniature green Elvin hat, make your buddy an ambassador of giggles.
You might just discover that, wearing a pet costume, your dog or cat is a regular clothes horse.
