Woof! Welcome to Dog Diaries — a weekly series where the dogs run the show. New York City is filled with hundreds of dogs of all ages, sizes, breeds, and personalities. And we’re going to meet them all! Well, we’re certainly going to try. This week, we’re highlighting the dogs of the annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade.

Dear Dog Diary,

Halloween is just a few days away, and New York definitely knows just the way to celebrate: a dog parade! On Oct. 9, 2025, Tompkins Square Park dedicated blocks to dogs and families showing off their fun halloween costumes to the NYC community. The sun was shining, but a breeze helped prevent a sweltering heat from forming. Tons of people flooded the streets, clumping around dogs on the sidewalks and in the road, excited to pet the furry friends. Though I wanted to include some highlights of a few costumes in case you missed it, I also set out to find an answer to the most important question of Halloween: trick or treat? 

Photo by Cozette Calderon

Mia she/her,  6-year-old Bichon Frisé, Japanese Chin mix

Mia was born to be a Halloween baby. No, literally! She was born on Oct. 30. Though Halloween may be associated with scary ghosts and blood-curdling screams, Mia illuminates the cuter side to Halloween. When I saw her gentle, calm demeanor, I was in love immediately. 

Dressing up as a Pink Lady from the classic film Grease is a timeless choice for Halloween. When I asked Mia’s owner, Semedo, what inspired the costume, Semedo mentioned that while Grease was definitely a childhood favorite, the real motivation behind the costume choice was Mia’s comfort. “I was trying to find a costume that was easy for her, because she has so much fur … I didn’t want her to be too hot,” Semedo said.

New York City’s unpredictable burning-hot to freezing-cold weather means outfits that are mindful about the temperature are a must, but that doesn’t just apply to us humans. We have to consider what our furry friends need in order to be prepared for weather extremes, as well. Whether it means ordering your dog shoes to keep their paws safe from hot concrete, a raincoat to stay dry, or even a costume to join in on the Halloween fun, comfort has to be a priority!

However, the most important question of Halloween is, ‘Trick or treat?’ so I asked what Mia would pick. Semedo said, “She would pick a treat, but [it] depends on the treat. She’s very picky.” Though Mia may be a picky eater, she was not picky about whom to cuddle with.. 

Mia certainly brought a Pink Lady’s darlingness to this parade!

Photo by Cozette Calderon

Miso she/her, 2-year-old German shepard, husky, Chow Chow mix 

Miso lay calmly on the sidewalk as people swarmed around her, snapping photos and giving pets. Beyond her calm demeanor that made her so friendly and approachable, what caught my attention was how her costume played off her natural features. Miso has the coloring and the ears of a wolf, so all that was needed was the frilly bonnet and I instantly knew she was the big bad wolf that had just eaten grandma.  

This simple yet clever costume not only matched Miso’s characteristics perfectly, it also matched her personality. When asked to provide a fun fact about Miso, her owner Stephanie Krasnov said, “The funniest thing is she kind of moans like an old man at the end of the day — like she’s worked a 12-hour shift in the coal mines.” Thus, getting into the character of playing a grandma didn’t sound like it was too hard for Miso. 

I pointed out Miso’s subdued nature, which Krasnov agreed with. However, Krasnov said, “She’s super calm, but if you get a ball out [she becomes] very hyper.” Though I never would be able to tell from this parade, it was adorable that Miso had a wild side. 

Of course, after talking about how wonderful Miso was, everything from her calm nature to her love for playing with other dogs, it was time for the most important question: trick or treat? Miso picked treat! When asked what Miso likes best, Krasnov said, “She honestly loves going to the farmer’s market at Union Square and eating all of the vegetables that have fallen on the ground.” Looks like Miso may be having a very healthy Halloween stash.

Photo by Cozette Calderon

Lexcy she/her, 16-year-old Yorkshire Terrier

(Kenya Callender (left) and Keiana Callender (right)) 

Now, this dog was a little hard to spot, and it wasn’t because of her tiny stature. It was because she was dressed as Waldo! Luckily, I was able to snap a picture of her before she got lost in the crowd once again. 

I love to see dogs integrated into families just like a true-born member, and family Halloween costumes are a perfect way to express such a thing. When I saw this mom and daughter team up to match with their adorable furry friend, I just had to take a picture. Keiana Callender mentioned how important it was for all three of them to be involved, which was the driving reason behind picking Where’s Waldo as their inspiration. 

When asked a fun fact about Lexcy, Keiana Callender said, “Lexcy has five cat siblings.” Keiana’s mom, Kenya, added that she gets along with all of them. With Lexcy’s adorable, pointy ears, I wouldn’t be surprised if the cats mistook her for one of their own! 

However, Lexcy had a little secret under her beanie. If she were to go trick-or-treating, she’d pick a trick! When asked what she would do, Keiana Callender stated, “She would run off — just run off!” The family knows this is true from experience. After establishing she was a runner, Kenya Callender mentioned a scary incident of Lexcy running away after a walk in the park. When Callender finally caught up, Lexcy paused and then kept running. Small dogs always act as if they can take on the world, but that’s why they have owners who love them to chase after them and be their backup.  

Photo by Cozette Calderon

Lucky he/him, 10year-old Maltese 

Lucky was so tiny, his costume had to be creatively tailored with a hair clip to make sure he could still walk, and walk he did. In fact, he strutted through the streets of Tompkins Square, getting plenty of attention from fans. 

After watching their uncle’s dog while he was gone on vacation, Lucky’s young owners realized they desperately wanted a dog. After begging and begging, the whole family went to the pet store and found Lucky, just 4 weeks old and, thus, super energetic. The family knew he was perfect and took him home at the children’s request.

That energy he once had? Still there! Even after a long walk in the parade, stopping for pictures every single second, and hours of socializing with other dogs and humans, he could barely sit still for his interview. He kept walking in circles and looking around for new friends. He was smiling so wide, anyone could see. 

Finally, Lucky picked a treat! Specifically, he loves the beef bones that he’s given for dessert at home. With all the hard work this paw-lebrity put into this parade, I certainly hope he gets his trick-or-treat bag full of them this Halloween. 

Photo by Cozette Calderon

Elliot, he/him, (soon-to-be) 2-year-old Shiba Inu @babyshark.elliot

(Left to right: Phineas: Kelly Cavez, Ferb: Lorraine Rinaldi, Dr. Doofenshmirtz: Katelyn Chavez, Linda: Cynthia Chavez)

This costume took teamwork, no doubt. But Elliot was the glue needed to make it all work out. After all, the parade was about the dogs, right? Elliot was rescued from North Shore Animal League, and now he acts as the cherry on top to this family costume! My favorite part was how before I took this family’s photoshoot, Perry had to become picture ready. He went from a platypus to ‘Perry the Platypus?!’ It was absolutely adorable to see a little hat tied onto him to complete the outfit. 

Though the creator of these outfits, Katelyn Chavez, stated that these costumes, as elaborate as they were, had to be rushed to finish the paper masks before the parade, no one could tell. In fact, everyone was in awe of this collaborative effort. So much so that Elliot was being swarmed by adoring fans. He sat there patiently and calmly, basking in the oohs and ahhs. 

This was one of the most elaborate costumes I witnessed at the parade. From the handmade paper masks that replicated these Disney characters perfectly to Elliot’s bright, orange tail, it was a fantastic group costume that also involved, as far as I saw, the biggest number of people —  utterly heartwarming. Though Halloween isn’t often associated with being a holiday of bringing people together, this dog parade did exactly that. People from all different walks of life showed off their dogs and admired one another’s effort and creativity. Elliot’s family was a highlight of that through their own collaboration. 

Dogs have such a power to bring people together and deliver emotional comfort. Elliot certainly did to this family. His owner Katelyn Chavez revealed just how special Elliot really was to the Chavez family. “Our old dog, actually; she passed on the day that Elliot was born. So, we always say that … Elliot is a gift from our old dog,” Chavez said. 

Just like Perry, Elliot was there for them in a time of need. He probably doesn’t run off every day to be a spy, though. 

For the most important question — trick or treat — Elliot would pick a treat! Chavez stated, “But he’s bougie. [The treat] needs to be cooked chicken!”  After talking to his owner, I knew that Chavez would do anything possible for Elliot because of how much love they share for one another. 

Halloween is right around the corner, and that means last-minute ideas are always a must. Perhaps these cute, fun, and creative dog costumes can inspire your outfits for your own pet, and maybe even for your own costume. Remember, with a little creativity and a hot glue gun, any costume is possible. Lastly, don’t forget to give your dog their favorite treat to celebrate this spooky, scary night!