The Pack

Remember the days when we were TRAPPED by blankets? When we had to make the agonizing choice between warmth and turning the page in our books? Those troubling days are gone, thanks to Snuggie — the blanket with sleeves!

If you don't already have a Snuggie of your own, you either ...
A. Desperately want one (it's on your Christmas list!)
B. Think they are stupid. Very stupid.

I own a Snuggie — a pink one — and simultaneously think it's stupid. I received it as a two-year wedding anniversary gift (traditional gift is cotton ... thanks, honey). And while there's no denying how silly humans look in a blanket with sleeves, I have to admit — that dumb Snuggie is pretty comfy and useful (much like Crocs, which are hideous but heaven on your feet). It really DOES facilitate reading while staying warm!

Thanks to everyone who sent Halloween photos to The Pack. It's great to see some of our canine neighbors and to celebrate ridiculous and adorable costumes. Hope you enjoy the slideshow! Forward the link to your family and friends to wish them a Happy HOWLOWEEN!

Halloween isn't just for kids and witches. There are several spooky celebrations for dogs and their devilish owners. I've put together a list of some fab-boo-lous local events where dogs in costumes reign supreme. Look for me and Penny at Wag-o-Ween this Saturday, dressed to kill (or at least make you laugh).

I told a friend I was going to Bistro 17 because "they serve dogs there." She looked at me like I was a sick, sick person. "No, no, no!" I said. "They serve food TO dogs there! Dogs aren't on the menu!" Poor choice of words, I guess. (So we're completely clear, Bistro 17's menu is 100 percent dog-free.)

Friends of Bluffton Dog Park are looking for sponsors, vendors and volunteers for Bark in the Park, a fundraising event for dogs and their families. It will be held Nov. 7 at Oscar Frazier Park in Bluffton, and will include games, prizes, food, bounce houses, a silent auction, live entertainment and more.

To donate a silent auction item or gift certificate, volunteer at the event, or become a sponsor or vendor: 843-815-9981 or ; www.blufftonbarkpark.org.

The third annual Paws Around the Harbour will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 18 at Liberty Oak Lawn at Harbour Town on Hilton Head Island. The event, which benefits the Hilton Head Humane Association, will include an agility course, training demonstrations, a bake sale and a silent auction. Contests will include an owner/pet look-alike contest, a “big and beautiful” contest and a “small and sassy” contest. Animals up for adoption will be available. Dogs must be leashed.

Tell me you didn't look at the photo to the right and smile, at least on the inside.

I don't believe you.

Dogs in Halloween costumes are adorable, hilarious and/or ridiculous. And I enjoy looking at them, and I bet many of you do, too. So send The Pack your dog's best Halloween photos! E-mail one photo of your dog or dogs in costume, and I'll post them on the blog for all the world to see.

The Wardle Family YMCA hosts its second annual Puppy Plunge for dogs and their owners from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 3. Dogs of all breeds and sizes are welcome to take a dip in the outdoor pool.

Admission to the Puppy Plunge is $5 per dog. Dogs must be well behaved, current on all required vaccines and leashed until inside the pool area. Owners must be present at all times and humans are not permitted to swim in the Puppy Plunge.

There seems to be a lot of interest in this story, so The Pack is posting an update from People.com. Last week the Web site reported Jessica Simpson's 5-year-old maltipoo, Daisy, was snatched by a coyote. Simpson has vowed to find her dog and solicited help through Twitter and her Web site. Sadly, no one has reported seeing the small dog.

There isn't a lot of new information. The following update is mostly friends talking about Simpson's devastation. Dog lovers can surely empathize with her situation.

If your heart skips a beat at the thought of your precious pup on the pages of a calendar, your time has come.

The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette are again publishing a pet calendar featuring local dogs, cats and other pets (past entrants have included parrots and guinea pigs, too). The cost to enter a pet is $25. Readers vote for their favorite animals, and 12 winners are professionally photographed for the glossy calendar. Votes are 25 cents each, with a minimum of $5.