May 2, 2012

This past weekend the Maryland SPCA held their 17th annual “March for the Animals” in Baltimore’s Druid Hill Park. Along with the 1.5 mile walk-a-thon, there was a dog agility course, a “flea-less” market of pet friendly vendors, musical chairs for the dogs, and of course, a pet costume contest. Despite all the attention focused on this wonderful cause, I couldn’t help but wonder whether our four-legged friends love, or loathe, being dressed up for our amusement. Until someone develops a good bark-to-speech app, we’ll just have to settle on appreciating their cuteness, while throwing in a few extra treats for good measure.

Let’s take a quick look at the adorableness from last weekend along with other past pet-centric events.

: Al Capone switches sides of the law, as he’s dressed up as a cop during the costume contest. at the The Maryland SPCA holds their 17th annual March for the Animals around the lake in Druid Hill Park Sunday afternoon, April 29, 2012. In addition to the fundraising walk, the organization hosts a variety of pet-centric activities. (Doug Kapustin/Baltimore Sun)

: A young pug doesn’t seem to be too embarrassed by her attire as the Maryland SPCA holds their 17th annual March for the Animals around the lake in Druid Hill Park Sunday afternoon, April 29. 2012. (Doug Kapustin/Baltimore Sun)

: Kelly Pfisterer has her three-year-old mix, Lucy dressed up as a caterpillar as the Maryland SPCA holds their 17th annual March for the Animals around the lake in Druid Hill Park Sunday afternoon. (Doug Kapustin/Baltimore Sun)

: Samson shows off his tiger costume during the Seventh Annual BARCStoberfest Fundraiser at Patterson Park in Baltimore, Md., Saturday Oct. 22, 2011. The event included pet and people crafts, food vendors, pet contests including pet costume contest. Proceeds benefited the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter. (Patrick Smith/Baltimore Sun) BUY THIS PHOTO

: Joan Neidhardt (c) of Bel Air, Md., prepares her collie Sydney for the costume contest during the Seventh Annual BARCStoberfest Fundraiser at Patterson Park in Baltimore, Md., Saturday Oct. 22, 2011. (Patrick Smith/Baltimore Sun) BUY THIS PHOTO

: Eernie, a 5-year old Toy Fox-Terrier, relaxes in the grass wearing his Harley Davidson costume during Dog Day Afternoon. The Columbia Association held its annual Dog Day Afternoon event at Hopewell Park on April 21, 2012, featuring activities, contests, games, and products for Columbia residents and their dogs. (Nate Pesce/Baltimore Sun) BUY THIS PHOTO

: An Israeli man with dogs takes part in a “Zombie Walk” during the Jewish holiday of Purim on March 6, 2012 in Tel Aviv, Israel. The carnival-like Purim holiday is celebrated with parades and costume parties to commemorate the deliverance of the Jewish people from a plot to exterminate them in the ancient Persian empire 2,500 years ago, as described in the Book of Esther. (Uriel Sinai/Getty Images)

: Dog Ben wears a King Frog costume as he attends the traditional Rose Monday street carnival parade in Mainz, February 20, 2012. The Rose Monday parades in Cologne, Mainz and Duesseldorf are the highlight of the German street carnival season. (Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters)

: A dog in a hot dog costume takes part in the animal carnival parade at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 12, 2012. (Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images)

: Bubbles the Jack Russell Terrier is dressed as a chia pet plant during the Doggie Howl-o-ween Costume Contest on October 27, 2011 at a hotel in Alexandria, Virginia. (Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images)

: Rosie and owner get prepare to take stage for the costume contest during the Seventh Annual BARCStoberfest Fundraiser at Patterson Park in Baltimore, Md., Saturday October 22, 2011. (Patrick Smith/Baltimore Sun) BUY THIS PHOTO

: Willy shows off his costume to passerby during the Seventh Annual BARCStoberfest Fundraiser, at Patterson Park in Baltimore, Md., Saturday Oct. 22, 2011. (Patrick Smith/Baltimore Sun) BUY THIS PHOTO

: Chewie stands close to her owner as they prepare to take stage for the costume contest during the Seventh Annual BARCStoberfest Fundraiser at Patterson Park in Baltimore, MD. on Saturday, October 22, 2011. Proceeds benefited the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter. (Patrick Smith/Baltimore Sun) BUY THIS PHOTO

: Paul Spence and Kelly Szajna, of Owings Mills, wear matching pirate costumes for the owner-dog look alike costume contest at the annual Paws On Parade on April 19, 2011. Their cocker spaniel Rusty sports a “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie character Captain Jack Sparrow outfit. Bob and Jean Ewing, in background, in matching sombreros and ponchos, won as the crowd favorite with their maltese, Matilda, and Yorkie, Maggie. (Karen Jackson/Patuxent Publishing)

: Frida the Bulldog is dresses in a pink ribbon in support of breat cancer research, at the Halloween Dog Costume Parade in Long Beach, California on October 31, 2010. (Robyn Beck/AFP Photo/Getty Images)

: Peanutter, a Lilac Tourtie European Burmese cat, poses in a Cleopatra costume for the press during a media event October 13, 2010 to promote “Meet the Breeds,” hosted by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) at Jacob Javits Center in New York City. The event was an oppurtunity to meet 160 Breeds of dog and 41 Breeds of cats all in one place. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP Photo/Getty Images)

: At the American Visionary Art Museum annual Pets on Parade, Buster and Samantha, two pugs, came in their wedding outfits with owner Mya Johnson, 7, from Cockeysville, MD. They won the “Haute Couture” award for high fashion. Over 40 pets were entered in the competition on July 4, 2010 and awards were given in several categories including: best costume and best tricks. (Algerina Perna/Baltimore Sun) BUY THIS PHOTO

: Gordon, a pug, takes a break from carrying the famed and very large Smith Island cake. He’s owned by Patrick (pictured) & Alison Rice. The American Visionary Art Museum held its annual Pets on Parade outside the museum on July 4, 2010. (Algerina Perna/Baltimore Sun) BUY THIS PHOTO

: Porky, dressed as the “Patriotic Pug,” is held by his owner, Nancy Metzger from Bel Air. Porky won the, “I Only Did This ’cause I Love my Owner,” award at the American Visionary Art Museum which held its annual Pets on Parade outside the museum on July 4, 2010. (Baltimore Sun) BUY THIS PHOTO

: Squeezer, a lab mix, is decked out for July 4th by his owner, Wendy Caldwell from Baltimore, MD at the 2010 American Visionary Art Museum annual Pets on Parade. (Algerina Perna/Baltimore Sun) BUY THIS PHOTO

: The American Visionary Art Museum held its annual Pets on Parade outside the museum on July 4, 2010. The Grand Pet Prize went to “Jaylin,” a teacup Chihuahua, owned by Jurea Williams, 21, right, who dressed her dog in a tribute to Michael Jackson, including a bootie on one paw. At left is Jurea’s sister, Kevea Hoyle, 10. At right is the trophy she received from the museum. (Algerina Perna/Baltimore Sun) BUY THIS PHOTO

: Phoenix, five, a Jack-Russell/Chihuaua mix is a “fashionable lady,” so says her owner Ronda Lennon, from Long Reach. Phoenix competed in the costume contest during the Columbia Association’s first Welcome Event of the year, Dog Day Afternoon, held at Hopewell Park in Columbia, MD on Saturday, April 17, 2010. (Matt Roth/Baltimore Sun)

: A super costume wins the costume contest for Como, 3, during the Columbia Association’s first Welcome Event of the year, Dog Day Afternoon, held at Hopewell Park in Columbia on Saturday, April 17, 2010. Como, a rescue, was shown by his owner Jody Stacoffe, from Elkridge, MD. (Matt Roth/Baltimore Sun)

: Amber, a 6-year-old dachshund owned by William McGuire of River Hill, poses in her Dog-o-ween costume at Dogtopia on Saturday, October 31, 2009. The event, held for its third year by the doggie daycare, gave owners a chance to parade their costumed puppy pals and enjoy tasty treats. (Kitty R Charlton/Patuxent Publishing) BUY THIS PHOTO

: Petey, the Yorkshire Terrier dressed as “The Witch from Wicked” is seen during the Fifth Annual Times Square Dog Day Masquerade on October 18, 2009. The canine costume contest is presentd by the Times Square Alliance. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP Photo/Getty Images)

: Georgie the Pekingese dressed as a “The Naked Cowboy” during the Fifth Annual Times Square Dog Day Masquerade on October 18, 2009. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP Photo/Getty Images)

: Tuffy dressed as a “Skeleton ” during the Fifth Annual Times Square Dog Day Masquerade October 18, 2009. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP Photo/Getty Images)

: Seven Pomeranian dogs wear firefighter costumes during a fashion show of the Dog Olympics. The show was held at the Hakkeijima Sea Paradise aquarium-amusement park complex in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo, on Saturday, November 22, 2008. (Itsuo Inouye/AP Photo)

: Cosmo the Chihuahua trotted around dressed up like a horse with cowboy in Ellicott City at the annual “Happy Howl-o-Ween” event on Saturday October 25, 2008. Dogs and their owners (customers at Happy Dog Care) came together to socialize and play games with their dogs that were dressed in Halloween costumes. (Nate Pesce/Patuxent Publishing)

: Little, a Chihuahua, owned by Liz Newton, of Salem, Massachusetts, waits during the second annual “howl-oween,” a dog costume contest, Saturday, October 25, 2008 at Faneuil Hall in Boston. Little won best of show. (Lisa Poole/AP Photo)

: The Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter held a BARCStoberfest celebration in Patterson Park, including a pet costume contest, on October 28, 2007. Christine Morgan, 30, from Baltimore county, fixes her English Bulldog, Stella’s princess costume. (Baltimore Sun)

: The SPCA in Baltimore held a dog costume contest between four of the agency’s dogs up for adoption in front of the Maryland Zoo Saturday morning, October 28, 2006. Jack, a beagle dressed like a bumble bee, won the first place ribbon. (Matt Roth/Baltimore Sun)

: Lexi Adams, 8, Cara Heilveil, 11, Leslie Devos and dogs – Alfie, Mia and Sabrina – dressed as the cast the “Wizard of Oz” at the fifth annual Howl-O-Ween Barkin Bash at Quiet Waters Park on October 28, 2006. The Annapolis, MD. event featured doggie vendors, canine rescue groups and a costume competition. (Colby Ware/Baltimore Sun)

: Fluffy Elizabeth, a six year old calico cat (the official Maryland state cat, by the way) won a division of the animal dress up contest with her black-eyed susan themed costume in Howard County on August 6, 2006. She is owned by Kevin Athey, age 13. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)

: The Humane Society of Baltimore Co. held their annual Paws on Parade fundraiser Sunday, October 16, 2005. Many pet owners brought their dogs, and a few cats to enjoy the day with as well to compete in the costume competition. Aspen, a Tan Tabby, is dressed up as a Hula dancer for the day. (Brendan Cavanaugh/P3 Imaging)

: Ft. Meade residents William and Molly Parker’s dog Dale shows off his alien costume Saturday, October 23, 2004 before participating in a Halloween Pet Parade and Costume Contest at Ft. Meade. The event was held by Family Pet Care Center. (Steve Ruark/Patuxent Publishing)

: Heather Salada, center, of Ft. Meade, claps after her son Hunter, 6, left, and his dog Duncan were awarded first place in the scariest costume category during the Halloween Pet Parade and Costume Contest Saturday, October 23, 2004 at Ft. Meade. (Steve Ruark/Patuxent Publishing)

: Molly, a Welsh Corgi belonging to 9-year-old Renee Wilson of Parkton, waits dressed in a bikini and goggles for the Farm Fair’s Pet Show to begin August 8, 2003. Wilson said she decided to dress Molly in beach attire because the dog opposed the lipstick she had to wear with her clown’s costume for last year’s competition. (Keri Wiginton, Patuxent Publishing)

: Jackson, a lab dressed as a football player, eagerly awaits the judges decision at the Howl-a-ween costume competition at The Can Company in Canton, MD on Sunday, October 28, 2001. Donations from the event went to the Canton Community Association. (Matt Houston/Baltimore Sun)

Man’s best (dressed) friend

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