Seven Shopping Days Left...

...before Halloween!

An interesting overview in the Orange County Register shares these tidbits about us and what we're planning for our pets on Halloween:

• The National Retail Federation, the world's largest retail trade group, predicts 11 percent of us who celebrate the holiday will dress our pets in costumes. That equals 7.4 million households nationwide.
• Retailers are jumping into the trend by stocking more costumes this year and planning additional investments next year. And there will be social events as well, like Howl-O-Ween parties, sponsored by small boutiques as well as the large chains.
  
• This year's hottest costumes are animals pretending to be other creatures, including skunks, spiders, lobsters, ladybugs, bumblebees, and butterflies.
• While not part of the animal theme, an Elvis wig for cats is flying off the shelves, PetSmart spokeswoman Jennifer Ericsson said.

Another article recommends that we keep with the "made for pets" costumes and avoid using doll or baby clothes, as they can bind and hinder a pet's mobility. The manufactured costumes seem to address this to some degree, although Chocolate is never happy when I have anything on him but his collar and leash. I guess he's going as a dog.

More cute pics follow below...