Dogs don fancy dress for Hallowe’en

THEY will be howling at the moon, clawing at the door and devouring the food at a Hallowe’en party with a difference – this one is for four-legged friends in fancy dress.
Izzy the 3 year old Boston Terrier.Picture: Andrew O'BrienIzzy the 3 year old Boston Terrier.Picture: Andrew O'Brien
Izzy the 3 year old Boston Terrier.Picture: Andrew O'Brien

The spooky event organised by the dog-loving owners of Cafe Tartine, in Leith, will see the best-dressed pooches earn the title of top dog – with pumpkins, superheroes and skeletons among the crazy costumes.

And ahead of today’s party more than 40 costumed canines had been signed up – forcing the organisers to expand their plans.

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Husband and wife team Michael Farrell and Joanne Ramsay had planned to hold the event in the conservatory area of the French-inspired restaurant they opened two months ago.

Michael and Joannes dog Izzy dons batwings ahead of the party. Picture: Andrew O'BrienMichael and Joannes dog Izzy dons batwings ahead of the party. Picture: Andrew O'Brien
Michael and Joannes dog Izzy dons batwings ahead of the party. Picture: Andrew O'Brien

Joanne, 42, who is also a singer-songwriter, said: “We are a dog and family-friendly restaurant, and we wanted to find a way to get the word out about that to others.

“We have a dog ourselves and we thought it would be quite fun.”

The couple approached local dog-lovers website Dugs’n’Pubs, which agreed to join forces to promote the event, and the news has spread like wildfire on social media.

Joanne said: “The response has just been out of control. It’s just such a fantastic thing. We have had such a good response so far and in such a short space of time.”

Dogs in fancy dress. Picture: PADogs in fancy dress. Picture: PA
Dogs in fancy dress. Picture: PA

The level of demand will mean the event taking over the entire 106-cover restaurant for the morning, and Joanne, who grew up in Currie, said: “We think we might be overwhelmed. I am really pleased as lots of people have phoned up to book and say that it is such a nice idea for something to do with their dogs.”

Staff will be donning their glad rags for the event too and spent much of yesterday decking out the restaurant with spooky decorations.

The owner of the best dressed dog will win a bottle of prosecco, while second and third prizes will be dog beer and dog cupcakes.

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Not to be outshone by their customers, Joanne and Michael are planning to dress up their three-year-old Boston Terrier, Izzy, in a white babygro designed to look like a skeleton.

If the gathering is a success, it is hoped that it will become an annual event.

It is being run in partnership with Dugs’n’Pubs, which celebrates all things canine in the Capital.

Rhian Matthew, who runs the popular website, said: “We have never done anything like this so when they got in touch and asked us to come up with something for the pub we thought it was a good idea to have a Hallowe’en party. It’s great for dogs as it helps to socialise them and owners and dogs have a fantastic time.

“We don’t promote dressing dogs up usually, it’s very much something you do if your dog is happy with it.”

The Stockbridge resident will be dressing up her Lhasa Apso dog, Bailey, as Superman for the party. The event will be held at the cafe in Commercial Street from 7pm.

For more information visit www.dugswelcome.com.

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