All Good Dogs go to Halloween Parades

I am a dog lover, but I don't have one of my own....I miss having a sweet furry bundle of joy underfoot, hanging by my side, and no question they are as loving a creature as can be found. Yet as a city dweller, I could never see myself running after all that a sweet dog requires and waiting for pick-up duty. That to me is a horrifying responsibility - 'nuf said.

I can enjoy other people's dogs....and know the joy first hand when they come up to me and lean in for a pat on the head. Heaven only knows that there are obsessive dog owners who will parade their animals as children, feed and coddle them, but guess what, in Long Beach they created a dress-up Haute Dog parade to celebrate Halloween and exhibit said love-bugs.

What follows is an over-the-top tribute to all things furry, their owners and all things ridiculously fun. And yes, only in certain dog-loving circles is this possible. Welcome dog lovers to California!

Everywhere  you looked.....the dogs just got cuter. And each one was smiling away...amped up by all the attention they were getting and happy owners!

Again, as far as the eye could see...there was this landscape of hilarity....bear with me as I took pictures of quite a few of them....

And no dog EVER suffered due to extra body detailing...clothes, make-up or hats...If the dogs were bothered by it....they'd walk out of their costumes if that became an issue. In fact we did see one do just that in the parade line...and the owner quickly just removed the excess and continued on!

And if ever there was to celebrate the happiness of both owner and pets, this was the time to do it...I got a chuckle over quite a few of them....but this disco-ball-bearing dance-ready family made me laugh!

Heaven on earth, folks....yes, that's what it is.

Getting back in the game....

Winter can be a little quiet...

Fall into winter, dropped leaves







and finding
yourself stuck in a no go zone.








We've got it made in the shade in California winterwise.




Camelias





and magnolia bursting forth.































Get me to the Vet's garden for a bird visit
and some greens or 'vore for the locals.





























This pesky little squirrel zipped in n' out, with a fast dash





seconds flat.





























Since this vet's garden is on government property, it becomes a sub station for the police who I think were gearing up to tell the LAUSD workers just where to take their protest.


And it is a little like, 'Don't ask, don't tell them what to do...'
Law always wins.