Pets and their owners gathered outside the Student Center Tuesday, Oct. 26 to celebrate Howl-O-Ween, a costume competition with food and prizes.
Humans and pets alike celebrated “spooky season” at MU this year. The Campus Activities Programming Board hosted “Howl-O-Ween,” a pet costume contest with free food, at Kuhlman Court at 5 p.m. on Oct. 26.
Students brought a variety of pets to campus, including dogs and cats of all ages — and one bunny. Over a dozen pets participated in the costume contest.
The pets competed in three costume categories: best overall costume, cutest costume and most creative costume. Howl-O-Ween attendees voted on the winners.
Senior Brandy Williams and her dog, Little Girl, dressed as SpongeBob and Gary the Snail from SpongeBob SquarePants. Williams said she made Little Girl’s snail costume by hand, complete with a shell and eyestalks.
Williams said she decided “at the last minute” to attend. Nevertheless, Williams said she was hopeful for a win. Little Girl later won “best overall costume.”
Williams worked for CAPB last year and learned about Howl-O-Ween on Instagram. Williams said she tries to keep up with CAPB events because they are fun to attend, adding that it was nice to go to an event as a student rather than an employee this time around.
Like Williams, freshman Malakai Wampler coordinated costumes with their 10-year-old miniature Australian shepherd, Leah. The pair dressed up as bees for the event.
Leah was the first pet to arrive at Kuhlman Court that evening. Wampler said they brought Leah to Howl-O-Ween to “have fun and see other puppies.”
“She’s a service dog, so we’re trying to get her more socialized,” Wampler said.
Several animals in attendance were also either emotional support animals or service animals.
Sophomore Dana Lee Beattie attended with her ESA, Tiger Lilly. Beattie said Tiger Lilly, a 14-year-old tabby cat, helps her manage the effects of her autism. She said it was affirming to meet other ESAs at the event.
“It’s amazing to see how many animals [are here] enjoying themselves,” Beattie said.
Tiger Lilly sported a little tutu — she was dressed as a princess and Beattie was “her prince.” Beattie drew a mustache on her face to look the part.
“We used Sharpie, so it’s going to be a hell of a time getting it off,” Beattie said.
One of the youngest pets in attendance was a five-week-old kitten named Uzi. Her owner, freshman Ryan Klohr, said Uzi is an ESA living with him on campus.
Klohr dressed up Uzi as a mini pumpkin. Klohr said he plans on bringing Uzi back next year when she is bigger, but still has the cute factor.
Nala, a goldendoodle, won “cutest costume.” Goldendoodles are known for their curly coat, so Nala simply wore a heart-shaped Ty tag to complete her Beanie Baby costume.
A French bulldog mix named Rockie won “most creative costume.” Her owner, junior Courtney Ullrich-Campbell, said she dressed Rockie as an old lady to match her wrinkly, scrunched face — a recognizable trait of bulldogs.
All went relatively well with Rockie’s costume execution, though Ullrich-Campbell said Rockie’s headpiece was a hassle at times.
“She has [a gray] wig, but it’s been a struggle,” Ullrich-Campbell said before the contest. “If I can get the wig to stay on, I think we’ve got a pretty good chance [of winning].”
The winning pets in each category received a prize basket with a stuffed animal toy and a bag of Pup-Peroni treats.
The costume contest wrapped up at around 6:15 p.m., but pet owners stayed afterward to talk as their pets played together in the brisk evening.
Edited by Emmet Jamieson | ejamieson@themaneater.com
