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Howl-oween: Pet-Costume Contest

This is five-year-old lionhead rabbit, Draiman, dressed as a bumble bee.

Bumble-Bunny Photograph by Rachelle Pickette

The photo says it all—literally.

Koa Photograph by Bob Joynes

Gromit, a French bulldog, decided to go French for Halloween. Tres chic!

Gromit Photograph by Jennifer Page, Arlington

This is Cadence, an 11-month-old Australian shepherd, dressed as Secretariat.

Cadence Photograph by Regina Till

From his owner: "Diesel was rescued from the Washington Humane Society almost three years ago. He not only loves playing with his friends at Dogtopia Daycare but coming to the office with his mom and dad. This year for Halloween he decided to salute his f

Diesel Photograph by Stacey and Ari Severe, Gaithersburg

This is Granny Allie. Her owner says she's over 70 in doggie years, and still spry and spirited as ever.

Granny Allie Photograph by Pamela Foster, Amissville

Meet Mykee, a police officer, Nykee, a soldier, and Gabi, a fire fighter.

American Heroes Photograph by Syndee Cooper, Centreville

Cosmo, the furry little mailman.

Cosmo Photograph by Yong Kim and Jenn Wagner, Chantilly

Sophie is a three year old Yorkie-Poo. She is a working girl that goes to the office with her Mom everyday at the Edmund J. Flynn Company. This year for Halloween she is the Little Mermaid. She previously has enjoyed being Snow White.

Sophie Photograph by Jennifer Warner, Alexandria

Captain Rocky and first mate Reese-e-bee watch over their kingdom of small ships and big flowers. They are two Frenchie brothers that are always looking for a new adventure.

Rocky and Reese Photograph by Kevin Lilly, Falls Church

From the owner: "This is Toffee, our German shepherd/collie mix adopted from the Washington Humane Society in 2006. Her nickname is Yoda because of how she holds her ears, so what better costume for her. 'Treats to me you will give!' "

Dress As Yoda, She Did Photograph by Tom and Erin Dower, Kensington

Owners Gwen and Eric dressed their pug, Blue, as the Incredible Hulk—going so far as to dye his fur green with food coloring. Says Gwen, "He is puzzled by the hairpiece on his head, and walks like an old cowboy because of the purple pants."

The Incredible Blue Photograph by Gwen and Eric Zack, DC

Colby's only 15 months old, but he makes for a darn cute lion, no?

Colby Photograph by Laura Herbertson, Silver Spring

Meet Oscar.

Devil of a Dachshund Photograph by Emily Hicks, Arlington

Isn't she a hoot?

Izzy the Clown Photograph by Emily Hicks, Arlington

Here's cocker spaniel Riley. His owner says he's giving the evil eye—can you tell?

You Little Devil Photograph by Bree Vanderlecq, Amissville

"He is a little ham and loves dressing up," writes his owner, Lizzy. "People pay him more attention."

Brice Photograph by Lizzy Slentz, Alexandria

Meet Chloe the ladybug.

Lovely Lady Photograph by Laetitia L. Brock, DC

This three-and-a-half pound chihuahua makes for a pint-size ballerina.

Xena Ballerina Photograph by Diane K. Whitmoyer, Potomac Falls

We know, it's not Christmas time yet, but little Xena's already in the holiday spirit.

Ho, Ho, Ho Photograph by Diane K. Whitmoyer, Potomac Falls

Xena would probably win the award for tiniest Redskins fan—ever.

Go, Skins! Photograph by Diane K. Whitmoyer, Potomac Falls

Do you think Marlowe's watching an episode of Deadliest Catch? Or figuring out which shoe he's going to chew in retaliation?

Deadliest Catch Photograph by Steph Toth, DC

Now all we need is some ice cream . . .

Banana Split Photograph by Steph Toth, DC

Writes the owner: "As an employee of the United States Postal Service, Marlowe thought if he dressed the part, he could tag along to work with me."

Delivery! Photograph by Steph Toth, DC

Bailey steals the show as the hottest hula girl ever.

Bailey Photograph by Tom Keys & Cheryl Graham, Leesburg

Two-and-a-half year old Jellybean, a Yorkie dressed here as a school girl, loves to get dressed up in any outfit, says her owner.

Jellybean Photograph by Heidi Lescault, Oakton

Baxter's owner, Jeannine, says she made the lion's mane for her pup "so he didn't have to wear anything too cumbersome." We think it's a pretty genius costume on all accounts.

Baxter the Lion Photograph by Jeannine Lalonde, Charlottesville

Meet Peewee, our canine Elvis. His owner says the little yorkie actually dances.

Doghouse Rock Photograph by Heidi Lescault, Oakton

Howard the fat cat says, "Howdy, partner."

Howdy, Howard Photograph by Amanda V. Judd, Alexandria

We can't even begin to imagine how you'd get a cat to stay under a sheet, but his owner, Amanda Judd, assures us he's under there.

Louis & Clark Photograph by Amanda V. Judd, Alexandria

Cutigirl's owner, Sherrie, is known to her friends as "the cow lady" because she just loves the spotted animals—she says her grandfather even kept them as pets. So it's probably no surprise that she dressed Cutigirl up as a calf.

Cutigirl Photograph by Sherrie Andress, Arlington

Is it weird that we think this costume is very becoming on Annabella?

Annabella the Fairy Photograph by Amanda V. Judd, Alexandria

Zara, seen here as BumbleDog, is a two-year old collie/husky/German shepherd mix. She enjoys long walks in the park, chasing squirrels, and eating cupcakes. According to her owner, she would like to wish all Washingtonian readers a very Happy Howl-o-ween.

Zara Photograph by Krista Holyak, Arlington

From the owner: "After being unsuccessful at catching the mailman, Finnegan has decided to join him and become a mailman himself. Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow can keep him from chewing on the mail!"

Neither Rain, Nor Snow . . . Photograph by Sharon Knuth, Silver Spring

Chihuahua Lady Bess is dressed like a chicken. Squawk!

Chicken Little Photograph by Jacob Blackmon, DC

A poem from the owner: "A stray dog's bite was quite a fright for this Great White. But 10 sutures looked just right on Kingsley's ensemble Halloween night."

Kingsley Photograph by Kristina Maze, DC

Here's Goldilocks . . . er, Mr. Pink.

Mr. Pink Photograph by Jillian Gustafson, Arlington

Bree makes for a good pumpkin, no?

Bree Photograph by Bree

This is Canoli, a long-haired dachshund. We can't quite make sense of the costume—a turtle or a dinosaur? What do you think?

Holy Canoli! Photograph by Stefani Zimmerman

Tyson—another bumble bee!

The Bees' Knees Photograph by Eleni Savopoulos of DC

He looks so warm and cozy, doesn't he?

Papi the Pumpkin Photograph by Eleni Savopoulos of DC

Three-year-old Baxter, a beagle/Pekingese mix, dressed as a macaroni noodle for Halloween last year.

Baxter Photograph by Kara Snesko, DC

Twelve-year-old Mariwether managed to squeeze into a basketball uniform—made for a doll.

Mariwether Photograph by Amanda Judd of Alexandria

By day, Phoebe is a seven-year-old pomeranian living in Baltimore; by night, she saves the world with her Lasso of Truth.

Wonder Woman Photograph by Pat Machate of Baltimore

Writes their owner, "Manning is a vampire ready to find his victim, but he has a little angel, Missy, on his shoulder telling him to be a good boy."

Manning and Missy Photograph by Shannon Fitzgerald of Silver Spring

Owner Pam Townsend describes Samba's costume as "Halloween glamor girl." Glamorous, indeed.

Samba Photograph by Pam Townsend of College Park

Erin Huband made this costume for her pug, Bruno. "I wanted something versatile that he could use during the entire winter on walks, not just October," she says. We're betting this frock does the trick.

Funny Bones Photograph by Erin Huband

Penny was adopted from the Washington Humane Society a year-and-a-half ago. Her owner, Katie Hughes, says that although her kitty might hate her squirrel costume, Penny loves looking out the window at live ones.

Penny Photograph by Katie Hughes, DC

This is one spider we wouldn't mind finding in our house.

Ceiligh Photograph by Pam Townsend of College Park

Four-week-old pomeranian, Azalea, is "the sweetest honeybee out there," says her mom, Bibiana Bracero.

Honeybee Photograph by Bibiana Bracero, DC

Writes the pug's mom, "Seeing the photo, she winced, and immediately ran to the phone to call Jenny Craig."

Meet Miss Priscilla Wiggles Photograph by Paulette McCubbin of Rockville

Tippy, a puppy mill rescue, had to have all of his teeth removed before he was adopted. Owner Jessica Sacksteder says he doesn't usually stick his tongue out like that, "but he showed me how much he likes his pumpkin costume."

Pumpkin Pup Photograph by Jessica Sacksteder of Alexandria

Diggs, a five-year-old Lhasa apso/Tibetan terrier mix, looks regal in his tuxedo—if a bit peeved at having to wear it.

Diggs's Digs Photograph by Eric Weiner of DC

Tango takes the idea of "working breed" to a whole new level.

Tango Photograph by Pam Townsend of College Park

Tyler and Toffee get married.

Here Come the Dogs Photograph by Erik Winebrenner

Now all we need are some Merry Men . . . er, dogs.

Robin Hood Photograph by Tiffany Kelly

This is three-year-old miniature pinscher, Dahlia, dressed up like a dinosaur.

Raaaaawr! Photograph by Stephanie Siarkiewicz

We spot a lady bug and a bumble bee, but what's the pup in the front dressed as? A devil?

Bugaboo! Photograph by Tricia Bowers

"Chubs and Taters are two of the sweetest dogs you will ever meet," writes their owner, Cory Marks, who dressed Chubs as a bee and Taters as a hot dog. Is it wrong that Taters makes us a little hungry?

Mr. Chubs and Taters Photograph by Cory Marks

"Determined to renounce her allegiance to France," writes the photographer, "Tchotchke the French bulldog reinvented herself as a 'Freedom' bulldog and celebrated Halloween as Joe Six Pack." Please note the pack of Camels, can of beer, and patriotic cap—i

Tchotchke Viera is Joe Six Pack Photograph by Stacey Viera of Arlington

Writes the photographer, "Meet our loving pug Waldo, or Wally for short, dressed in his fanciful lobster costume. He is just over a year old and loves attention and giving kisses!"

Where's Waldo? Photograph by Margie Pollard of DC

We wonder what he'll turn into if you kiss him . . .

Mickey the Frog Prince Photograph by Debbie Diatz

Curli, a nine-year-old pug, looks . . . um, thrilled . . . to be dressed like a lobster.

Lobster Roll Photograph by Debbie Diatz

Oh that Frank—he's such a little devil.

Frank the Cat Photograph by Debbie Diatz

LOL.

Pickle Photograph by Gina Rodriguez

Is she the princess of the pumpkin patch?

Pretty, Pretty Princess Photograph by Michelle Norris

Meet three-year-old Batman, Edgar, a Beagle mix, and his sidekick, nine-week-old Evan Vivari, as Robin.

The Dynamic Duo Photograph by Melissa Vivari

This is three-year-old cocker spaniel Nigel Sinatra. "Since he was a puppy," says owner Vanessa Palma, "I nicknamed him Honey-Bunny—hence, the outfit. Nigel loves to give kisses (especially to gals), eat peanut butter, and go on road trips."

Honey-Bunny Photograph by Vanessa Palma