Third Time's the Charm for "Howl & Prowl"

Adopt-A-Dog's "Howl & Prowl" costume contest and parade, rescheduled twice due to the freak Halloween Nor’easter, benefited from Sunday’s perfect fall weather. With 50° temps, a cloudless sky, and sun shining brightly on the throngs of dogs and their people, the day proved worth waiting for.

From Shih Tzu brothers, “Winston” and “Scote,” dressed as Dr. Seuss’s “Thing #1 and Thing #2,” to Bull Terrier, “Winnie,” a.k.a. “The Squirrel,” the costumes all exhibited originality and were mostly handmade. 

There was even an honorary Occupy Wall Street contingent, in the form of "Zoë" a two-year-old Yorkie and her owner, former Greenwich resident Flo Dellorfano. "I deserve free kibble. Share the wealth," read Zoë's cardboard sign.

The event was sponsored by . Costume contest judges included Pet Pantry’s Joshua Roth, who donned Roman warrior garb for the occasion, and Adam Jacobson, who was a fierce Popeye. They were joined on the stage in the difficult judging process by Greenwich’s own Dr. Dale Atkins, well-known psychologist, dog lover and volunteer with The Good Dog Foundation, which sends therapy dogs to several Greenwich Public Schools to “be read to” by students.

First place costume contest winners were jumbo sized “José” the Irish Wolfhound, 5, dressed as “The Sultan of Greenwich” and his sibling Greta the Chihuaha, a young 15, who strode the parade route “in the saddle.” José and Greta's owners were Maryann Hillmer and Tom Corcoran of Greenwich.

Second place went to “Prince Stanley,” 13, a Bichon Frisé, rescued by his owners Jody and Steve Ferraro of Bridgeport after 10 years being used for breeding at a commercial puppy mill in Oklahoma.

Third place went to the threesome, “Lions, and Tigers, and Bears, Oh My!” Lion, who in real life goes by “Baby Bop,” Tiger, whose street name is “Scoop,” and Bear, who goes by “Kona,” were owned by Melanie Cane of Rye Brook and Pat Wagner of Rye. 

Adopt-A-Dog’s mission is to find safe, permanent homes for discarded companion animals. The organization welcomes donations as well as volunteers who share their time with dogs and cats, assist in the office, raise funds, and help at events. They also accept in-kind gifts including but not limited to as bones, biscuits, toys, canned food, blankets, towels, comforters, gift cards, office supplies, and cleaning products.

If you missed Howl & Prowl and want to help volunteer or donate funds or supplies, please call Adopt-A-Dog at (914) 273-1674. The two-acre sanctuary is located at 23 Cox Ave., in Armonk. General questions can be sent by email to info@adoptadog.org Adoption hours are 11 AM to 3:30 PM daily, by appointment. More information is available on the website: http://www.adopt-a-dog.org/