The Dark Knight
The first Halloween, Cody was still young enough that we could get away with putting a Batman mask on him and calling it a costume. He sat there on the rug, mask slightly askew, looking up at us with those brown eyes that said, very clearly: I know what you're doing and I accept it because I can smell the treat in your pocket.
The mask kept sliding. The cape kept getting stepped on. He was possibly the least intimidating Batman in the history of the franchise. We took approximately forty photos and gave him a treat after each one. He considered this a fair arrangement.
Cody's Rating: 🐾🐾🐾 Tolerated it. Treats were good.
Good Guy Cody
Year two we went bigger. Full Chucky costume: striped shirt, denim overalls, the little fake hands. And this time, we took him to an actual Halloween dog parade in the park. Dozens of dogs, dozens of costumes, and Cody in the middle of it all with his tongue hanging out and his overalls slightly off one shoulder.
He was completely unfazed. Dogs in shark costumes, dogs in hot dog buns, a golden retriever dressed as a bumblebee. Cody greeted all of them with the same maximum enthusiasm he greets everything. The Chucky costume did not make him menacing. If anything, it made him more approachable. Everyone wanted a photo.
The event was a proper dog social: owners comparing costumes, dogs comparing smells. Cody had the time of his life. He didn't win the costume contest (the bumblebee golden did, we accept this). But he was, objectively, the happiest Chucky anyone has ever seen.
The Venue: Halloween dog parade at the park
Costume contest: Did not win (robbed)
Cody's Rating: 🐾🐾🐾🐾 Many friends. Many smells. Many treats.
"A Labrador in a Halloween costume is one of the few things in the world that is universally, unconditionally, undeniably good."
Next Halloween? We're already thinking about it. Whatever the costume, Cody will wear it with dignity, accept the treats, and remind us that the best part of any celebration is just being together.
