By Colin Mixson for Brooklyn Paper
Tail-wagging witch: Shih-tzu mix Leia sported a candy-corn witch costume at Sean Casey Animal Rescue’s annual Howl-o-ween event.
Photo by Jason Speakman
It’s a spook-tacular Windsor Terrace tradition!
A menagerie of costumed canines dressed to impress on Sunday for a neighborhood animal rescue’s annual Halloween event that a dog owner praised as one of the borough’s favorite fall pastimes.
“The dogs all come dressed up in their Halloween costumes, and they’re really cute,” said Windsor Terrace resident Waleska Salgazo, who dressed her pitbull-shih-tzu-mix Leia as a candy-corn witch for the occasion.
Do-gooder Sean Casey and employees of his eponymous no-kill shelter celebrated the 10th installment of their beloved Howl-o-ween costume contest at the bash outside the E. Third Street facility between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Avenue, which raises some $15,000 annually to ensure continued operation of the rescue that takes in roughly 2,000 critters of all sizes and shapes each year, a co-organizer of the pup party said.
More than 100 dolled-up doggies paraded down the catwalk during this year’s freaky fashion show, showing off costumes that included pumpkins, rabbits, and French dandies, and only a few of the tail-wagging models let their egos get the better of them, according to Helen Bowers, an employee of local dog-walking outfit Brooklyn Bark, which partnered with Casey to throw the event.
“The dogs were delightful, and well behaved — mostly,” said Bowers, who came to the event dressed as the devilish dognapper Cruella de Vil from “The Hundred and One Dalmatians.”
The fashionable face-off — which awarded one lucky mutt with the honor of “Best Costume,” and named two four-legged runners-up — unfolded as part of a larger block party that also featured a show of costumed kids, as well as prize raffles and Italian and barbecue grub.
Other canine-themed attractions included a portrait station staffed by a photographer for the Westminster Kennel Club’s dog shows and a kissing booth worked by a couple of furry smoochers, according to Salgazo, who said she was all too pleased to spend some cash at the festivities in support of the local shelter.
“They had a cute kissing booth where you got to kiss one of the dogs,” she said. “All the proceeds go to Sean Casey, so we were happy to do everything there.”
Reach reporter Colin Mixson at cmixson@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-4505.
Little monster: Tony Wong brought his pup Mini to the canine costume contest.
Photo by Jason Speakman
Who is he?: Bella Mukhtarova came out with her shih tzu, Tito.
Photo by Jason Speakman
Not a dog: Mom Carolyn Cokes dressed up her daughter Delia as a mouse for the bash.
Photo by Jason Speakman
Coat shopping: Brooklyn Bark employee Helen Bowers came dressed as Cruella de Vil, but didn’t harm any animals in the making of her costume (we think).
Photo by Jason Speakman
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