A howling success

They dressed up for the occasion, Halloween that is.

Humans made sure that their pet companions were looking their best before they went off to put on their own costumes.

That’s the way it has been for the last eight years of the “Scaredy Cats and Dogs” Halloween fundraiser of the Philippine Animals Welfare Society (PAWS) which has been held at Eastwood City.

I attended most of the “Scaredy Cats and Dogs” events over the years and I always find myself having a blast just looking at how each human lovingly dresses his or her dog or cat.

“Tinahi ko lahat ng damit ni Truffles,” said Vicky Carillo. “Kagagaling lang sa pictorial n’yang si Truffles.”

Vicky told me that she and her son Mark Vincent joined the PAWS Halloween event last year.

This year Mark Carillo and Truffles, a two-year-old Dachshund dressed as harlequins, won best pet and guardian tandem in costume.

Vodka the Poodle won pet in most creative costume

A native cat named Rue was dressed as Little Red Riding Rue with her human Jonna Baquillas. They bagged the Hali-meow Award for the best native cat in costume. There was Noggy, the Mini Pinscher that was in a unique costume titled “Bitten by an Anaconda.” I also liked Klondike the Pomeranian, who romped away with the Casper’s Choice Award or cutest pet in costume for being the most adorable-looking elf in a smart green holiday outfit and fake elf ears.

But, there is always one grand winner, and this year it was Pomeranian Jacks who went home with the prize. He dazzled the judges and the audience in his Grim Reaper costume, complete with a scythe and a mobile graveyard.

There were so many interesting, funny, scary and cute pets in costumes that it must have been difficult for judges Victor Basa, Louis Claparols, Joey Mead and Wilma Doesnt to pick the winners.

Each year, for the past eight years, the costumes are getting more interesting — and the venue, Eastwood City park area is spruced up a little more hauntingly elegant each time.

Everyone had a fun-filled day as they played pet games at the Alpo & Friskies booths, got their souvenir pictures taken at the Kit Kat Breaksters Snaps Photo Booth, ate free snacks at the Koko Krunch sampling table and collected Halloween treats from the Frontline Plus booth.

Little Red Riding Rue is best native cat in costume

PAWS executive director Anna Cabrera stated that this year was the most successful Halloween fundraiser as PAWS was able to raise a sizable amount of funds for the dogs and cats at the PAWS Animal Shelter.

Frontline Plus, Alpo, Friskies, Nestle Kit Kat and Nestle Koko Krunch, McDonald’s, Cast & Frame, Toys R Us, Swell Sweets and The Philippine STAR Pet Life section sponsored the event.

Christine Viloria and Lhasa Apso Softy dressed in matching outfits made from recycled plastic bags