Howl-O-Ween 2009

The bewitching hour is about to begin. For those of us who enjoy the festivities of the fall and winter seasons, Halloween marks the beginning of the most exciting time of the year. As we are busily decorating our homes and offices and planning fun events for our children, our four-legged buddies sometimes find themselves left out of the mix. We buy Christmas presents for our dogs, we dress them in cute outfits, and we take them everywhere we go ... why not host a Halloween party for them, too?

When planning a Howl-O-Ween party, always remember that it is not only a good time for pets, but also for their owners. If you find yourself overwhelmed, recruit the help of your friends and neighbors. Begin by organizing your guest list. If you find yourself stuck, this is a good place to search for party planning recruits. Take a brief survey of everyone on your list to determine the best date and time for the party. It is usually best to avoid the actual date of the holiday. Halloween produces a lot of commotion, especially if you live in an area that still attracts trick-or-treaters. To ensure the safety of your pets and any guests you may receive, you won't want to be continuously opening and closing doors or restraining overly-friendly pets.

Be creative with your invitations. It is best to send invitations out two to three weeks before the party, so you will need to get started early. In the past, I have purchased simple Halloween party invitations from card and party stores or Target. I try to personalize the invitations as much as possible. Utilize your creativity! Sharpie pens are great for detailing invitations and changing Halloween to Howl-O-Ween. Remember, Halloween party invitations are meant to look ragged and spooky - neatness and perfect lines are not requirements! Be sure to mention that it is a costume party for both the dogs and their masters. For added cuteness, throw a couple of doggie treats in the envelope prior to mailing.

When throwing any type of Halloween party, it is important to remember that decorations set the overall tone and mood. Oddly enough, this is often the easiest part of the hosting process. If you prefer to make your own decorations, I would suggest visiting a crafting website, such as Martha Stewart Living online. Here, you will find several great and often inexpensive ideas for homemade decorating and spooky recipes. As always, be sure that you maintain an environment that is conducive to the presence of animals - the same goes for cooking. No party is complete without finger foods, and most pet retail stores carry some type of special goody around Halloween. Have a variety of treats on hand, as every dog has a different and unique taste. You may also want to shop around online. Search for sites of businesses that make and ship doggy cakes and cookies or search for a recipe to make treats yourself. If you are unsure about any ingredients, always research the toxicity of the ingredient prior to its use. Don't forget about your human friends! Be sure to include a variety of snacks that everyone will enjoy.

As a rule of thumb, your Howl-O-Ween party should not exceed three hours - this is for the dogs' sakes, not the human guests. You can fill your time however you choose, but any Howl-O-Ween party should include a costume/talent contest. For this portion of the night, designate an area in your home as center stage. Have prizes available for the dog with the best costume, the dog with the best talent, and the dog with the best stage presence. You may even want to give a prize to the best-dressed master! Have several toys available to maintain the dogs' attention. If your climate permits and your yard is fenced and secure, you may even want to set up an agility course.

Always remember, the point of the party is to have a good but safe time. Treat your pets as you would your children - they will appreciate the extra time and attention to detail!