SPANAWAY, WA — The misty fog shrouded the park in the early hours this morning. Through the still air, you could hear faint whimpering and an occasional yelp. Out of the mist, the shadowy human figures approached, with long ropes held in their hands. Trotting along at the end of those lines, were canines, costumed canines, panting merrily.

It was the Woof Woof Walk, put on by Pierce County Parks and Recreation. At the north end of Spanaway Park, a place known as the “Little Spanaway,” the parking lot filled with automobiles, tents, assorted vendors and representatives from Animal Control. Amon the vendors, a booth set up for Pierce County Public Waster and Utilities offered free dispensers of baggies for doggie waste and a program for Neighborhood Dog Waste Stations.

Below, near the water, a booth was set up with bales of hay and large pumpkins. There, the pet owners could sign up to have their photo taken with their dog(s) . Here I met the pirate dog Mollie and her master Sandy. Mollie was too sweet to say, “Arrrr.”  When they finished, they were invited to take a stroll through the park with their fellow canines.

With the misty, foggy morning, the walk was particularly interesting and picturesque. There was Minnie Mouse, a bumble bee, a fluorescent witch, a dragon with his friend Harry Potter, a pirate, Santa, and even a baby dressed up as a puppy.

Along the way, one of the dogs decided is was time for a doody. In good form, his master obediently picked it up in a blue doggy bag. Soon after, it must have been something in the air, another dog had the same issues. Soon several others followed suit. All masters dutifully picking up the messes from the  sidewalk. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take the scent from the air.  It seemed as if each dog that passed though that area suddenly had to do the same, including the very large dog with the agent from Animal Control.

The dogs and owners looped through the park and returned to the area with all the tents. As we returned, a few more costumed canines had arrived. This time is was  a service dog named Dan as Darth Vader, light saber and all. His master also had a Vader costume. Dan stood incredibly still, patiently waiting for his photos to be taken. He was stellar at taking commands, amazingly well-trained.