It's that time of year again when the brisk wind makes you want to snuggle even deeper inside your dog bed. Every year as the weather changes I can sense the human need for comfort, be it with food, blankets or with people. We dogs are the same. We have a sixth sense that understands how a human can feel as fall transitions into winter. O.K., I have gone way too deep here, let us talk about what really matters this time of year; Halloween costumes for dogs!

NO! Do not dress your dog up for Halloween!

I am protesting pet costumes this year! My human, Tom has dressed me up for the last eight years and this Halloween I simply refuse. I have been a pumpkin, a mermaid, a bird, a sheep, a cow, and a tick (Tom thought that was genius), and last year I was a Fox!

Listen, I know you all may think dressing your pet up is cute, but I am revolting against such abuse. Even though we are animals we have rights. Don't get me wrong, I like that Tom is creative and wants to make people smile by dressing up his cute dog, but I am cute enough without a costume and I like people to see me for who I really am. The big difference between animals and humans is; animals do not care if people see them for exactly who they are. That's maybe why humans like to dress up on Halloween, so they can be something different than they are every day. I haven't met a dog yet that tried to be something they're not. It seems humans are always trying to wear a costume. I can imagine it's hard. As humans, you don't have as much freedom as we do. We walk around naked all day and we don't have to use a bathroom, we do our business right there out in the open air. It's great to be a dog and not to worry about the thousands of things humans need to be concerned about. But, that is why we dogs are here for you. So, you don't have to wear a costume. So, you can be completely yourself and walk around naked too, if you choose to. We don't judge. That is why this Halloween I am refusing the costume Tom has made for me. He had the brilliant idea that I should be a witch! A Witch! I mean could he be a little more original? I should be a Witch! I mean could he be a little more original?

Happy Halloween from Hazel Sweitzer!