Halloween not just for kids, pet owners say
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Rich Fletcher, left, and Dan Wilcox like to dress their dogs up for Halloween. This year, from left, Olympia will be a punk rocker, Vanderbilt will be a pirate and Spartacus will be a Roman warrior.
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Rich Fletcher, left, and Dan Wilcox show off their dog Vanderbilt in a ‘He Devil’ costume. Wilcox says pet owners who want to dress up their dogs can save money by recycling costumes and customizing costumes bought from stores.
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Vanderbilt is shown here dressed as a gondolier in one of the many costumes Fletcher and Wilcox own for their dogs.
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Olympia sports a Zero costume from the Nightmare Before Christmas.
JANESVILLE — Halloween is always a howling good time at the Dan Wilcox and Rich Fletcher home.
The Janesville couple have been dressing their pets in Halloween costumes for as long as they can remember.
"It's just a form of extending the fun to all members of the family. Being we don't have kids, it will always be a tradition we do," Wilcox said.
They are not alone.
This year, 14.7 percent of Americans are expected to dress up their pets for Halloween and spend $310 million on Halloween pet costumes, according to the National Retail Federation.
Wilcox and Fletcher's have a good time dressing their dogs in prisoner, bumble bee, ghost, witch, tennis player and break dancer costumes.
This year, their three rescue dogs—Vanderbilt, Olympia and Spartacus—won't disappoint trick-or-treaters arriving at their Ravine Street home.
Vanderbilt, a 2-year-old Pomeranian, will don pirate attire.
Olympia, a 2-year-old Australian shepherd/border collie mix, is going to rock out in punk rocker get-up.
Spartacus, a 7-year-old Catahoula leopard dog, will transform into a Roman warrior.
Fletcher and Wilcox estimated they've spent a couple hundred dollars over the years on pet costumes they often find at rummage sales, Goodwill, thrift shops or create themselves.
"One time, we saw a kid's flannel shirt. So I put Spartacus in bib overalls—because he's from the South and looks like a big hound dog—to create the look of a Blue Ridge Mountain person. He wore it, and it was a hit," he said.
Their dogs have been dressed as clowns with a Rudolph nose and big bow tie and as elderly church ladies with pearls, shawls, hats and gobs of lipstick.
"I couldn't figure out how to do a purse with candy," Wilcox said.
Wilcox said it takes a dog with a good temperament to tolerate wigs and hats.
"You just got to make sure there's a chin strap. That's the secret," he said.
Wilcox said owners can save money by recycling costumes and adding personal touches to store costumes.
"It helps make the holiday what it is," Wilcox said.
"How can you resist when something makes your animal look so cute? It's absolutely adorable."
HALLOWEEN PET SAFETY TIPS
During the week of Halloween last year, calls to the Pet Poison Helpline about dogs that ate chocolate increased by 209 percent over a typical week at the animal poison control center.
Chocolate poisoning poses a serious danger to dogs, especially at Halloween, according to a press release from veterinarians at Pet Poison Helpline.
People who suspect their dog might have eaten chocolate should call a veterinarian immediately.
If left untreated, chocolate poisoning in dogs can result in vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, agitation, increased thirst, an elevated heart rate or seizures, according to the release.
Other Halloween food hazards for pets include:
Candy wrappers—When pets eat candy, they sometimes eat the wrappers, too. Eating foil and cellophane wrappers can cause a life-threatening bowel obstruction. Symptoms include vomiting, decreased appetite, not defecating, straining to defecate or lethargy. X-rays might be necessary to diagnose the problem.
Raisins—Instead of candy, some health-minded households hand out mini boxes of raisins to trick-or-treaters. Very small amounts of raisins, grapes or currants are poisonous to dogs and can cause kidney failure. Any ingestion of raisins or grapes should be treated as potentially toxic and result in a call to a veterinarian. Only a small number of raisins can cause vomiting, nausea, decreased appetite, lethargy, abdominal pain and severe kidney failure. Raisins should be stored in containers far from the dog's reach.
Too much candy—Dogs that eat large amounts of sugary, high-fat candy can get pancreatitis, which is potentially fatal. It is inflammation of the pancreas and very painful. Pets might not show symptoms for one to four days. Warnings signs include decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, abdominal pain and potentially, kidney failure or organ damage.
Oct 20, 2011 at 3:11 p.m.
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(ref. 10/19 editorial page) Yes, there are more important things than costumed pets, but this is a fun article and I'm tired of reading about wars and murders on the front page. By the way, no one has commented on the fact that these are rescued dogs.....thank you Rich & Dan for not buying puppy mill
Oct 14, 2011 at 10:25 p.m.
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So many deleted comments! Who knew that flamboyant dogs could be such a hot button topic in Janesville?
Oct 14, 2011 at 8:22 p.m.
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What if this is not really "dressing up dogs," but an act of resistance that is actually a parody of gender norms meant to disclose the constructed & performative aspects of gender?
Oct 14, 2011 at 7 p.m.
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Gay dogs?!
Oct 14, 2011 at 3:52 p.m.
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Really, if you see them on the street, they look just like anybody else. You'd never guess they're into dressing up dogs.
Oct 14, 2011 at 3:08 p.m.
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I'll stop by as often as I please. How do you know where I live, anyway? For someone who is so anti-gay, you sure seem to be infatuated with us!
Happy Halloween to all!
Oct 14, 2011 at 2:23 p.m.
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JustStoppingBy, I was born this way and if you don't like it then that's just too bad but I don't need a bully like you calling me names and making me feel bad. I can't help the way I am and you of all people should understand that. Stay with your bashing buddies in Milwaukee and leave us alone to live our lives and share our opinions. You left Janesville, now stop stopping by. I've made positive comments about this article so stop twisting my words.
Oct 14, 2011 at 2:13 p.m.
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"two", not too.
also, I think the dogs are adorable! Good for you, guys!
seems like a few people are just jealous of the fact that we gays have more disposable income than them!
Oct 14, 2011 at 2:06 p.m.
Oct 14, 2011 at 1:43 p.m.
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The Gondolier Pom gets my "Most Cute" vote. :)
Oct 14, 2011 at 1:41 p.m.
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Love this story....cute puppers...absolutely adorable in their costumes. :)
LJS64...what decade are you stuck in? "Gay" as a negative is tired and lame. Veiled jerk-like comments such as yours make gay kids feel bad about themselves. It is 2011, not 1958 so knock it off.
Oct 14, 2011 at 1 p.m.
Oct 14, 2011 at 1 p.m.
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I'm guessing you wrote something non-precious based on the fact that two comments were outed, er, removed. If not being all freaked out by this story gives me a high horse, then sure, I'll dress him up with pink glitter nailpolish and a tutu.
Bye the way,this pair has nice taste in glasses.
Oct 14, 2011 at 12:42 p.m.
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must not be taxed enough...go get em libs.
Oct 14, 2011 at 11:36 a.m.
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Poor dogs, how embarrassing. I do believe that if you celebrate All Hallow's Eve with your dog, he will end up in doggie hell. Says so right here....
Oct 14, 2011 at 11:17 a.m.
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Calm down e-vil-h-wife, I think it's precious, precious, precious. Say, do you dress up your high horse for Halloween?
Oct 14, 2011 at 11 a.m.
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nemesis- Well, if they do have a lot of time congrats to them. Then they can decide what to do in their spare time.
A lot of money to burn thru their pocket? Perhaps on Janesville scale of things- this is Janesville, after all, not Fifth Avenue Manhattan- but regardless, good for them. Having money means they work hard.
Also, it might be of interest to you, Maxdetail, that the demographic that gives you such ickies have higher education levels and income, even when corrected for percent of population. (Not to mention they have 100% better taste.) As far as a "societal angle", you are right. We better watch out. Now that "they" are dressing up up doggies, :they"are sure to overthrow our safe little world. They may work in our schools! They may defend our country! They may run around freely in society driving Subarus! *Shrieks*
Oct 14, 2011 at 10:56 a.m.
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I think it's a great story. Stories in the newspaper don't always have to be gloom and doom.
Oct 14, 2011 at 10:45 a.m.
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Cute article.
Thank's for the smile's.
Oct 14, 2011 at 10:32 a.m.
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In journalism, this is called a 'puff piece' and it does break up the tedium of the flow of negative news. It's much appreciated.
Oct 14, 2011 at 10:28 a.m.
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It's nice to see an article on something fun for a change. Those dogs are adorable! Lucky pets!
Oct 14, 2011 at 10:08 a.m.
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taxandspend- I guess the costumes really fooled you. There are only THREE dogs. They are taxed about $8 each a year.
Oct 14, 2011 at 9:48 a.m.
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I'll bet you a bag of candy corn that this story wasn't published to spread the joy of doggie dress up at Halloween. I'm just thinking that there may be a more societal angle in the article. Don't you dare criticize it either.
Oct 14, 2011 at 9:42 a.m.
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I subscribe to the paper to get the news. This is news??? This is a headline???
Oct 14, 2011 at 9:39 a.m.
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Someone has a lot of time on their hands - and alot of money burning a hole in their pocket.
Oct 14, 2011 at 9:03 a.m.
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Awesome costumes, guys. I love the little gondolier!
Oct 14, 2011 at 8:55 a.m.
Oct 14, 2011 at 7:38 a.m.
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Paging Steve Knox
Oct 13, 2011 at 11:03 p.m.
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And a gondolier! Tres Chic!
Oct 13, 2011 at 11:02 p.m.
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The picture of them dressing up that living teddy bear makes me giggle with glee. This is such a refreshing and fun story in a time of DOOOOM!
Rich and Dan, continue to put us to shame with your fine fashion sense. I will look for your pup this year. I have a feeling they will be the ultimate trick or treaters. Always doing ticks, and loving the treats. Happy Halloween!!
Oct 13, 2011 at 9:36 p.m.
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I don't have kids either. I've dressed my dogs in Halloween costumes over the years and the trick-or-treaters love to see them dressed up too. It's all about having fun.
Oct 13, 2011 at 7:57 p.m.
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This is so cute! Those dogs look very very happy!
Oct 13, 2011 at 7:45 p.m.
Oct 13, 2011 at 4:10 p.m.
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Slow news day, I guess.
looks like fun, But the dogs I know would thrash their way outta any costume in mere seconds
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