Halloween brings out creativity, and that certainly extends to our furry friends! We received a plethora of amazing entries for our Halloween dog photo contest, showcasing everything from spooky to utterly adorable. Many of the dogs boasted compelling backstories, particularly the heartwarming tales of mixed breeds rescued from shelters. It’s clear some dogs live with incredibly talented owners who have a true knack for capturing the perfect photo of a dog. The selection process was tough, but delightfully so!
1. Buddy the Pirate: A Heartwarming Photo of a Rescue Dog’s Triumph
“Buddy is a 6-year-old, three-legged rescue dog from Foothills Animal Shelter. He was initially very timid, but with immense love and patience, he has truly blossomed. Buddy delights in hopping around the neighborhood, playfully barking at his mom, and of course, enjoys treats and kisses.” This touching story and photo of a dog in a pirate costume was submitted by Amanda Slavik, who shared that Buddy was certainly deserving of a win. Amanda, a Lynx friend, learned about the contest through Buddy’s “dog-mother,” Ashley LaBelle, a proud CU Denver alumna. Amanda is excited for Buddy to become a big brother in 2020, noting his remarkable progress in learning to embrace life as a dog again.
2. Sherman the Bride: A Funny Photo of a Bulldog in a Costume
“Sherman is an eight-year-old ‘mini’-bulldog, although he tips the scales at 43 lbs. He often appears to be disappointed with us and life in general. His greatest talent is bringing laughter to people. Many passersby request a photo of him during our walks around town. Given his penchant for photo-bombing wedding pictures, we felt it fitting to dress him as a Lonely Bride.” This hilarious photo of a dog was submitted by Lindy Hensley, who is part of CU Denver’s Writing Center, where she enjoys assisting writers in structuring their thoughts. Lindy and Sherman, affectionately known as The Special Snowflake, relocated to Denver from Minnesota.
3. Diablo the Winged Wonder: An Impressive Photo of a Unique Dog Breed
“This is Diablo proudly displaying his new set of wings. It took some time to persuade him to come down from the treetops! He is an eight-month-old Xoloitzcuintli puppy. You can find more photos of this striking dog on Instagram @Diablo_Doggo.” The captivating photo of this dog was submitted by Brandy Cox, encouraged to enter by a friend at CU Denver. Diablo, or Xolo for short (pronounced “show-low”), is an ancient breed originating from the Aztecs, who believed they were spirit guides to the afterlife. Brandy detailed the elaborate process of creating Diablo’s custom costume: “I designed wings for him this year because he resembles a large flying fox bat. Due to the wings’ size, he spent over a month acclimating to the saddle with fur, then the wire frame, and finally the wings themselves.”
Additional Halloween Dog Photo Challenge entries
