Meows from Henri of Twin Brook. This is my report on the Halloween Party held at the d*g park.
(Pictures below including Ashley in ridiculous twinkling hat)

Halloween Party Went to the D*gs

by Henri of Twin Brook

My housemate Helen, reminded me that it had been some time since I had been to the D*g Park at Bassett in Hamden. As spokescat and feline animal control officer, it would be in the best interests of all catdom and the citizens of this fair city to get my tail over to the park and see what mischief the mutts have been doing with their paws.

The day I chose to view the park was Halloween, October 31, 2004. What a foolish cat I was! I never thought that an ordinary creature like a d*g would endeavor to wear costumes and pretend to be something they are not! As soon as I stepped out of the automobile, I saw a d*g with wings attached to his back! Either he was masquerading as an insect of some kind or an angel. When I asked the animal about it, he merely shrugged his shoulders and barked, "I really don't know what I'm supposed to be. My persons didn't tell me." He turned tail then and pranced off to the gate, eager to join the pack of animals cavorting in the fallen leaves.

It was not a good start. Many d*gs were racing around, dangling remnants of fabric from their necks and backs. Some of the mutts managed to keep their Halloween persona intact, but most seemed to be oblivious as to how ridiculous they all appeared to this cat. Ashley, our house dog, wore a little hat which had twinkling lights on it. It really wasn't a costume. I saw a d*g dressed as a convict, a bee, a pumpkin and a ladybug! How silly! No self-respecting cat would have put up with such humiliation! I would never permit my persons to dress me in an atrocious costume and parade me around town! Ashley, of course, is too naive to realize how ridiculous she appears to feline and human.

"Everyone said I looked very, very beautiful," she barked. (No one said she looked beautiful. No one said much of anything. There were some complaints from some d*gs about how uncomfortable their costumes were.)

"I won a whole bunch of prizes for my costume!" (No prizes were awarded that I heard about.....although each canine got a treat at the gate when leaving the park.)

In spite of the mutts, the park looked very nice. Vibrant leaves were strewn across the ground, their colors enhanced by sunlight. The park had decorated itself with the beauty of the fall season, brilliant foliage, bright sunshine, groups of humans gathered together to chat and watch the antics of their pets at play. I guess that's what the park is all about...

That night I put on my favorite costume, Eliza from the musical play, "My Fair Lady," and took to the streets. This year, none of my feline acquaintances laughed or snickered as I walked by. Last year, a good right paw to the chops had diminished their urge to ridicule. Frankly, I looked fantastic! (Read more of Henri's Mewsings here)