Halloween pets compete for cuteness

Pet Nation's eighth annual Pet Costume Contest had a record-breaking 159 entries Saturday.

Many pet owners participated as well making their costumes complimentary of their pet's costume.

"Last year we only had 120. It was a slow year but we figured with the bigger store we had more exposure," said Holly Elassaad, co-owner of Pet Nation. She said 131 of the entries were dogs and the others consisted of cats, rabbits, rats and even fish.

"We had four fish this year," Elassaad said. "We added that category last year because we had some interest." One young girl had her goldfish in a round fish bowl that was decorated as a pumpkin.

Shawn Bolender of Navarre, dressed her cat Prissy ,up as a witch and decorated her carrier as a haunted house. Prissy, a 17-year-old Persian, has participated in the contest for four years and she took first place in the cat category for the second time this year.

Tiffany Campion of Navarre, dressed up as a beekeeper and her 9-year-old yorkie Chewi, dressed up as a bumble bee. She said this was the first year Chewi competed but he didn't place in his category.

Michelle and Rex Bryant put a lot of time and money into their English mastiff Levi's costume. Levi's Sherlock Holmes costume was custom made and it won him second place in his category.

For a complete list of winners, see the Oct. 20 issue of Navarre Press or subscribe online.

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