Downtown Opelika hosts howlin’ good time for a good cause

Although Halloween isn’t until Saturday, dogs and their owners made their way to downtown Opelika in costume on Monday for the annual Howl’oWeen Pet Parade and Costume Contest.
The event benefits Rescue K911, a no-kill rescue in Camp Hill currently housing about 130 dogs.
Jill Bonneau, owner of Canine American in downtown Opelika, and one of the organizers of the parade, said that event was going as well or better than last year.
“We had a lot more VIP entries and extra donations,” she said. A VIP entries were $25 and regular entries were $10.
Many dogs and their owners came in matching costumes. Stefani Hazeldine came as Bat Girl and her Australian shepherd, Milo, came a Batman.
“I just thought it would be a cute idea to do the Batman thing,” Hazeldine said. “He’s a super dog.”
While many super heroes and super dogs were in attendance, there were plenty of other themes, including dogs dressed as farm animals, royalty, cowboys and food items.
Tyson, a Yorkshire terrier, came dressed as a hotdog. His owners, sisters Hayley Dauber and Abby Dauber, came as mustard and ketchup.
“My mom bought him a hot dog costume and I remembered seeing the ketchup and mustard and thinking it all goes together,” said Hayley, dressed as a mustard bottle. “We come every year. Tyson likes to come back — he likes other dogs and it’s fun because we get to dress up.”
Many took advantage of the fun night to support Rescue K9-1-1 and owners Larry and Loraine Weaver. Kathryn Braund was at the event with her rescue dalmatian, Daisy.
“(I’m a) big supporter of Larry and Loraine,” Braund said. “Whatever we can do to support them. They do wonderful, wonderful work — necessary work.”
For more information on Rescue K911, including information on how to donate, visit http://www.rescuekp911.com/.