Swedish Days: Dogs in Costumes, Marching Proudly, and Making People Smile

Handsome, sassy, sporty and adorable, Geneva dogs came in all kinds of apparel to strut their stuff at the Swedish Days Pets on Parade at 10 a.m. Saturday at Wheeler Park.

Owners and their loyal pals were allowed to select a category for their costume of choice.

The five categories included:

1. Party Animal

2. Most Exotic Pet

3.) Storybook Characters

4. Craziest Grooming

5. Faux Pets

Most of the dogs enjoyed the parade, marching around Wheeler Park socializing with other dogs and showing off their costumes. Yet there were still some dogs that either had stage fright or were just embarrassed to be dressed up.

“It’s more for the owners than the dogs,” I heard one onlooker say. “The dogs are all so cute!”

My puppy, Captain Kody chose to observe this year rather than participate, but I am sure that by next year I will be dressing him up just as I did with my other dogs in years past.

But is it just silly to dress up your dog? Perhaps it is. Though I will tell you one thing: The Geneva dogs at the parade have a good thing going for them. All of the attention is on them, their owners cheer, clean up their poop  and reward them with kisses and treats. Could it get any better than that? Plus, the crowd was full of adoring children with grins across their faces.