Community Corner
Canines in Costume Highlight Humane Society Event
Dogs dressed as storybook characters, rockers make for Halloween fun.
The guest list at this Halloween bash was as eclectic as it gets—from Cinderella, to Axl Rose, to an assortment of bumble bees, royal family members, devils and warriors.
And every costumed character in attendance had a snout and a tail—for real.
The Romeoville Humane Society Pet Costume Contest and Bake Sale, held Saturday afternoon at on Weber Road, featured about 15 canines and their owners.
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Bella, a petite Pekingese pup dressed as Guns N’ Roses lead singer Axl Rose, took home the prize for Most Original Costume. Supporting her victorious costume effort was her roommate, Sophie, a Shih Tzu mix, who was dressed as Rose’s bandmate, lead guitarist Slash.
Sophie is the newer addition to the home of Jaime Halteman and Dave Gaydos of Romeoville. Bella, Halteman said, was adopted from an Indiana shelter. About two years later, Sophie came along.
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“She’s a (Romeoville) humane society dog, “ said Halteman. “We decided to keep Sophie, a foster, because the two got along.”
A squirming Cairn terrier, eager to explore the grass and sidewalk and the other canine contestants lining up for the competition outside Stella’s, won the Scariest Costume award—though it was more likely because the costume suggested a devilish turn, not a reflection of his good, if somewhat mischievous, puppy persona.
Owner Andreea Gudenas introduced her four-month-old terrier, a purebred adopted from a rescue organization, as Andrew Joseph of Carillon.
“He’s being trained right now. He’ll be a therapy dog,” she said.
Judges also selected one lucky contestant as the winner of the Cutest Costume award.
Oso, a honey-colored Chihuahua, was dressed as an Aztec warrior, said owner Yvette Almazan of Crest Hill.
The event, which also included a raffle and a bake sale of homemade items crafted by humane society volunteers, was the first of its kind for the Romeoville Humane Society, said Jill Aikin, society president.
“We’re trying (to raise) at least $500,” Aikin said. “It’s a nice turnout. We have more dogs than we expected.”
The contest and the spectacle of dogs in costume drew interest from patrons at Stella’s as well as from passersby.
Geri Gallagher, owner of Stella’s, said she was happy to provide a venue for the event.
“I like all the animals and trying to help out,” she said. “We just want people to get involved and donate.”
