By MADDY VITALE
There were brides and grooms, cowboys, lions, postal workers, an octopus, bumble bees, and even a kissing booth.
Yes, on Saturday the Ocean City Boardwalk had them all. Dogs dressed in Halloween costumes for the first ever Humane Society of Ocean City Howl-O-Ween Parade strolled, zigzagged, jogged and made friends.
And there were lots of canines – 200 plus, showcasing what made each one special.
There were the wiener dogs — or dachshunds as they likely would want to be called.
The diminutive dachshunds shared the spotlight with Chihuahuas and other tiny breeds.
They paraded down the Boardwalk with their much larger canine counterparts, including Bernese mountain dogs, greyhounds, German shepherds, Dobermans, pit bull mixes, Labrador retrievers and a host of “designer breeds.”
Dogs are not allowed on the Boardwalk every other day of the year. But Saturday was an enthusiastically welcomed exception by dog lovers.
“It’s so nice to see all of the dogs on the Boardwalk,” Chris Cowperthwait, of Vineland, said as her dog, Brody, dressed as an octopus, made some canine friends. “It’s really wonderful to see everyone out with their dogs all dressed up. It’s fun.”
The costume contest, which began at 3 p.m., was only a portion of the extravaganza. Saturday was indeed a “dog day afternoon” and morning, too. Leashed dogs were allowed on the Boardwalk from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Laurie Paolillo, of West Deptford, brought her Bernese mountain dog, River, dressed in a lion’s mane. He was accompanied by other mountain dogs from the Bernese Mountain Dog Rescue.
“He’s having a good time,” Paolillo said. “They all are.”
Wendy Mondelli, of Gloucester County, dressed her dog, Lily, as a bride. Mondelli’s friend, Vickie Corbitt, also of Gloucester County, dressed her pooch, King, as the groom.
“They love each other,” Mondelli said with a laugh.
Some dog owners, such as Shari Murray, of Mullica Township, had some inventive costumes. She dressed her dachshund Trixie as an “armadogo,” a mix of an armadillo and dog.
In addition to the parade was a host of dog-specific vendors at the Ocean City Music Pier, photo-op stations and the Humane Society’s announcement of Ocean City’s “Pet of the Year.”
There was also a check presentation to HSOC.
Ocean City Councilman Jody Levchuk and his brother, Randy Levchuk, co-owners of the Jilly’s shops in town and on the Boardwalk, in partnership with Puppie Love, donated $5,000 to HSOC.
“We love animals. HSOC does such a great job,” Jody Levchuk said. “We are happy to help any way we can.”
“Puppie Love donates proceeds to animals and we sell their products in the store,” he added. “By us selling their brand, we were able to give HSOC the check.”
In another donation, Republic Bank gave the HSOC $3,000. Republic is getting ready to open a new bank in Ocean City.
“There is just something about dogs. They bring people together,” Vernon Hill, chairman of Republic Bank, said as he held his pooch, Sir Duffy.
Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian called the event “a new great family tradition.”
“Today is unbelievable,” Gillian said. “This is a big success. I can see the public really enjoys bringing their dogs out today.”
Gillian noted that allowing dogs on the Boardwalk at certain times may be a possibility in the future.
