Pet lovers show off their animals' costumes at Halloween party and parade
More Galleries
The Lunch Room does vegan food in a way that even non-vegans can enjoy
Images from Dawn Farm's 40th Anniversary Jamboree
See photos from Kerrytown BookFest
Images from Michigan's 41-30 win over Notre Dame under the lightsWeimaraner dog Maci, 8, wears a prison costume with the words" bad-dog" on the back. "She is a counter surfer. She will eat anything off the counter," said Lynne Thiel of Dundee, manager of Pet Supplies Plus and Maci's owner. Joseph Tobianski I AnnArbor.com
-
Weimaraner dog Maci, 8, wears a prison costume with the words" bad-dog" on the back. "She is a counter surfer. She will eat anything off the counter," said Lynne Thiel of Dundee, manager of Pet Supplies Plus and Maci's owner.
Joseph Tobianski I AnnArbor.com
/calendar/photologue/photos/Dog Costumes/cache/103011_NEWS_Pet Costumes_JT_01_fullsize.jpg
-
French bulldog Zinnia of Ann Arbor, 3, is dressed as a sheriff. Zinnia's owner Andy Micthell of Ann Arbor said it was his first time dressing up Zinnia
Joseph Tobianski I AnnArbor.com
/calendar/photologue/photos/Dog Costumes/cache/103011_NEWS_Pet Costumes_JT_02_fullsize.jpg
-
Dachshund Trixie of Ann Arbor, 8 1/2 months, dressed as a hotdog looks at other dogs outside the store of Pet Supplies plus in Ann Arbor. "We dress her in sweaters so she is used to it. Especially when we give her food, but it's probably not her favorite thing in the world," said Trixie's owner, Jessica Wideen of Ann Arbor.
Joseph Tobianski I AnnArbor.com
/calendar/photologue/photos/Dog Costumes/cache/103011_NEWS_Pet Costumes_JT_04_fullsize.jpg
-
Grey Hound Expressions volunteer Sharon Bartle, left, helps Carrie Gaffield of Ann Arbor, right put on a Halloween outfit on cat Clare, 2, center, at Pet Supplies Plus in Ann Arbor. Grey Hound Expressions was doing portraits and donating proceeds for rescuing grey hound dogs.
Joseph Tobianski I AnnArbor.com
/calendar/photologue/photos/Dog Costumes/cache/103011_NEWS_Pet Costumes_JT_05_fullsize.jpg
-
The Bartles of Ann Arbor look though photos they just had taken with Grey Hound Expressions. Grey Hound Expressions were doing portraits and donating proceeds for rescuing grey hound dogs.
Joseph Tobianski I AnnArbor.com
/calendar/photologue/photos/Dog Costumes/cache/103011_NEWS_Pet Costumes_JT_06_fullsize.jpg
-
Michelle Melis of Ann Arbor, left, gives beagle mix Kayleigh, 2, dressed as a bat, a treat to distract her from other dogs. "She had a hat, but she won't wear that. She chewed it up the first day as protest," said Melis.
Joseph Tobianski I AnnArbor.com
/calendar/photologue/photos/Dog Costumes/cache/103011_NEWS_Pet Costumes_JT_07_fullsize.jpg
Halloween's not just for humans anymore. In fact, it's gone to the dogs.
Pet Supplies Plus, 2607 Plymouth Road in Ann Arbor, held a Halloween party for animal lovers and their companions Sunday — complete with costume contest, photos and goodie bags.
Manager Lynne Thiel said this was the first year for the party, although they've held Halloween photo contests in previous years. This year, as more and more people are dressing up their pets, the store wanted to make it more personal.
Plus, sales for pet Halloween costumes were up this year, she said.
About 14.7 percent of people will dress their pets in costume this year, according to the National Retail Federation, with about $310 million spent on costumes.
Why is that? Thiel says she thinks it's because more pet owners come to view their animals as part of the family, and dressing your children up for Halloween is just something you do.
"Everybody has a different version of what their child is," she said.
Once your kids are too old to dress up, then it's the dog's turn, Thiel says, adding that her dog will be trick-or-treating right alongside her grandson this year.