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Halloween is for the Dogs at Tompkins Square Park

By DNAinfo Staff on October 23, 2011 9:49am

A dog dresses as Lady Gaga was given an award for being best dressed at the 21st annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade at Tompkins Square Park on Oct. 22, 2011.
A dog dresses as Lady Gaga was given an award for being best dressed at the 21st annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade at Tompkins Square Park on Oct. 22, 2011.
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DNAinfo/Caitlin Nolan

By Caitlin Nolan

Special to DNAinfo

EAST VILLAGE — Halloween came early for the pooches of Tompkins Square Park.

Canines of all shapes and sizes donned an assortment of wacky costumes — from superheroes to super divas — that left tongues and tails wagging at the 21st Annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade on Saturday.

Newcomers and veterans paraded their pups before a panel of four judges who were tasked with crowning a victor, “Best in Show.”

Bizou the 4-year-old Pomeranian, was dressed as Mickey Mouse and was eager to be let down by his owner, Maria Benedek, who carried him before the judges. This was their third year participating in the parade.

“I heard about [the parade] because we’re from the neighborhood,” Benedek said. “It’s a nice excuse to be outside when the weather is still nice.”

Just call him the Bark Knight!  A shiba inu dresses as Batman for the 21st annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade at Tompkins Square Park on Oct. 22, 2011.
Just call him the Bark Knight! A shiba inu dresses as Batman for the 21st annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade at Tompkins Square Park on Oct. 22, 2011.
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DNAinfo/Caitlin Nolan

Afterwards, the winners of raffles of raffles for doggie goodies were announced.

Sadarielle Creer and Louie the Yorkie took home first prize, a gift basket from Paws & Relax, a doggie day care and pet hotel on Avenue B.

Creer and one and 1 ½-year-old Louie, dressed as a devil and nun respectively, were newcomers to the parade, and Creer said she was happy to win.

Prizes were given for being best-dressed, such as a pup done up like Lady Gaga when she met the Queen of England and two dubbed “the Trader Joe’s dogs” that took away a Jack Spade bag.

Finally, the top dog was announced — a pup dressed as an M23 Bus, fully equipped with its very own passenger, the owner's child.

But, as is the case sometimes with buses, he didn't show up to collect his prize.