Puppies in drag

Once upon a time a princess came from her mysterious homeland of Tennessee to settle in the wild lands of Brooklyn. She came with many talents, she could talk with the animals whether they walk on 2 legs or 4, she could create garments that sparkle and shine for people who sang with a twang and her laugh was mesmerizing. After she had been in Brooklyn for a time she decided that the people of her little clearing should band together for safety and to improve each other's lot. But how to convince them to trust each other and spend time in each other's company with civil talk and coffee?

Finally she hit up on it!

The princess is Kath and the Great Pupkin is a little event that she thought would be fun to do to bring awareness to the Fort Greene Park Users and Pet owners Society (PUPS). The first year it was a fun little gathering with the "regulars" from Fort Greene Park. This year is the 7th Annual Great Pupkin and a conservative estimate suspects we'll have 60 entrants and may even have to turn people away. (We hate turning people away.)



What I think is great about this (along with that whole sense of community, meeting your neighbors, doing it for the kids blah blah, suburban, whatever, I know I should be better at this) is that people are incredibly imaginative. Yes, it's easy to get incensed when the costume you think is perfect doesn't win but it's also easy to understand because the choices are so varied. A Jack Russell as Seabiscuit and a Newfoundland as Richard Simmons. One of the greatest and yet most unassuming costumes of all time was the calmest Boston Terrier I've ever seen...dressed as a bat.

Yes, it's getting to be a bit of a mob scene but even if you just wander through the crowd for a bit and see the dogs you'll get the flavor of it. If you happen to wander by a PUPS donation jar then consider offering something because the princess puts a lot of that money toward the poop bag dispensers which keep the park clean and fresh!

Details:

Join PUPS Saturday, October 29, 12:00-1:00 for the
7th Annual Great PUPkin Halloween Dog Costume Contest.

Registration will begin at 11:30, follow the signs at park entrances for the registration location. (HEY! THAT'S ME! I'M DOING THE SIGNS! Crap, I have to go buy posterboard quick!) Suggested donation is $3.00 per dog; $5.00 for two dogs.

PUPS welcomes this year's Guest Celebrity Judge, WNBC-TV's Jane Hanson, host of "Jane's New York." Joining her on the judges' panel will be the Fort Greene Association's Phillip Kellogg and 35th Council District Councilmember Letitia James.

Generously donated prizes include dinner for two at Olea, a day of dog playcare from Kiki's Pet Hotel, goodie bags for all entrants from Walker Pet Shop, a surprise gift from Pintchik Hardware, and a gift certificate from The Greene Grape.) Certified Dog Trainer Dawn Prentiss from Semper Fido will be on hand to offer training tips.
So get your costumes ready, and mark your calendar for Saturday, October 29.

Rain date will be Sunday, October 30, same time.