National:
Petsmart is having a Howl-o-ween Event on October 20 from 3PM-5PM. There will be a pet parade and a costume contest. You will be able to purchase a picture of your pet in a special frame for $4.95 with your PetPerks card. My dogs have participated in this event a couple of times and enjoyed parading around the store collecting treats. Petsmart also has a photo contest that ends on Sunday, October 21--so hurry!
Petco will also be having a Howloween Trick-or-Treat contest of October 27 at 2PM. Your pet will have the chance to win all sorts of prizes including gift cards and treats. Additionally, you can bring your costumed pet in any day in October for a special treat. Petco also has a photo contest which ends on October 28th. The grand prize is a big one---$5000.
Three Dog Bakery, which has stores across the country, often sponsors special events during holidays. Check with your local Three Dog Bakery for information. Additionally, they will be holding a costume picture contest on their website from 10/24/12-10/28/12.
Chicago's Suburbs:
The Chicago Botanic Garden will be holding its Spooky Pooch Parade on October 20th from 11AM-1PM. This is an awesome event where your costumed pooches are allowed in the garden. Once again, parking is $20 for nonmembers. Day of event tickets will be $20 per dog for members and $23 for nonmembers. You can purchase advance tickets here for $14 or $17 respectively. You can only purchase the advance tickets until 10/19/12. We have been to this event before and have had a blast. Some of the dogs' costumes will blow you away! (Parking is free for members.)
In our neck of the woods, Bentley's Corner Barkery in Arlington Heights and Schaumburg will be holding Howl-O-Ween parties. The parties will feature a costume contest, treats, and prizes. The Arlington Heights location will be holding its festivities on October 25th from 6:30PM-8:00PM. The Schaumburg location will be holding festivities on October 28th from 3:00PM-5:00PM.
Another place to check for pet events--local animal shelters. After a quick glance, I found one for Adopt-a-Pet through the Wilmette Pet Center. This one is October 28th from 12PM-4PM. There will be all sorts of goodies and contests. You can go home with a picture for a $10 donation. All proceeds will go to help pets in need!
The Buddy Foundation in Arlington Heights will be having Photos with Wanda the Witch on Saturday, October 27th from 11AM-3PM. There will also be refreshments and a 20% off coupon to use in the shelter's gift card. Your costumed pooch can have a picture with Wanda for a $7.50 donation. We have done a lot events with The Buddy Foundation and our pooches love it!
These events can be fun. However, if you dog really does not like being costumed, don't force it. Also, sometimes less is more. I usually gauge our costumes to what our dogs will tolerate. (Although, my daughter usually has different ideas!) There are simple costumes like capes that work really well.
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