Dog Looks Like A ... ?

Driving down Ager Road in Hyattsville last Sunday afternoon, one might have wondered why frogs and cows filled .

It was all a cute disguise. On Oct. 30, pet owners and their dogs celebrated Halloween with a canine costume party.

Dog costumes ranged from a bumblebee and Superman to a few of Santa’s little helpers. Although many dogs were costume-less, all of them played together and ate dog treats. Their owners ate homemade cookies and cake as well.

The regulars of Heurich Dog Park welcomed newcomers. Most attendees were greeted by name. Dogs new to the park mingled right away.

“It’s like bringing your kid to the park,” said Lora Katz, a Riverdale resident who owns two rescue poodles.

She said it is healthy for dogs to interact with each other and run around in the open space--someone just has to be on the lookout for rough play.

The ad hoc group of dog lovers who bring their dogs to this dog park have become family. In fact, Joanie “Shawnee’s Mom” Holzwart of Takoma Park said owners are known as moms and dads there. Holzwart takes her German shepherd Shawnee to the park every day.  

Valerie Silensky, a Mount Rainier resident and owner of a St. Bernard, is a regular at the park. She and the other regulars celebrate holidays and birthdays together with their pets.

Silensky said she loves the park and the group of people who attend. Add a water station and shade, and it’ll be complete.