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A four-legged pumpkin, a miniature unicorn and a fluffy Robin Hood were seen roaming about in Mountain View on Saturday.
Accompanied by humans, these unique creatures were actually dogs participating in The Village at San Antonio Center’s first-ever pet parade and costume contest. The Mountain View Chamber of Commerce partnered with the outdoor shopping center to host the Nov. 1 event, which attracted more than 65 canine contestants.
Chamber President and CEO Peter Katz told the crowd that he was excited to see residents gather together, highlighting that Mountain View is a place that values people’s four-legged friends.
“The great thing about being here is that we are a dog-friendly community,” Katz said. “Especially the Village San Antonio is a very dog-friendly place to be.”
After getting the chance to interact with local vendors and fellow community members, dogs and their owners received prizes in three categories: most creative costume, spookiest costume and best owner-pet lookalike.
Greg Gordon and his daughter Shelby’s dog, Knight, were named the best owner-pet lookalike. Inspired by the movie “Top Gun,” the pair wore brown leather jackets and sunglasses. Shelby Gordon described Knight – a shepherd-malinois rescue – as a shy, gentle giant, highlighting his patience when it comes to costumes.
Shelby ordered Knight a custom jacket inspired by the movie and thought her dad, who served in the United States Marines, could match in his authentic coat.
“It was my idea, so I wanted [my dad] to come along and wear his jacket,” Shelby told the Voice.
The spookiest costume prize was given to a dog dressed up as Pennywise, the clown from Stephen King’s 1986 horror novel “It.”
For most creative costume, the award went to a pair of small dogs dressed as Charlotte and Wilbur from the book “Charlotte’s Web.” Though the costumes themselves might have seemed ordinary, it was the way in which the duo traveled around the parade that earned them the prize. Instead of walking on leashes like most other contestants, the two dogs were rolled around on a handmade float that was decorated to look like the farm from the children’s classic.
An 8-year-old Basset Hound named Rusty, who was dressed as Thomas the Tank Engine, also sported a homemade costume made by his owner Jeffrey Peters. Peters landed on the idea of Thomas because Rusty “loves hanging out with little kids, and little kids love Thomas.”
When Rusty was younger, he struggled with a spinal cord issue, which meant that he needed to use a wheelchair to help him get around, Peters said. While Rusty doesn’t rely on his wheels as much anymore, Peters said that they made for a good apparatus on which to build the costume.
Rusty the dog, 7, dressed as Thomas the Tank Engine. Photo by Seeger Gray. 
Participants in “Star Wars” costumes carry their dog during the costume parade. Photo by Seeger Gray. 
A dog sits with its owner before walking in the parade. Photo by Seeger Gray. 
A dog dressed as a banana walks in the parade. Photo by Seeger Gray.
In addition to bringing together pet owners to mingle with one another, Katz said the event also served as a way for local pet-friendly organizations to host booths and gain exposure.
Shoreline Pet Hospital attended the event, handing out dog cookies and informational pamphlets. Similarly, Citydog! Club dished out pup cups and information about its daycare, grooming and boarding services.
While Saturday’s event was a new addition, next door in Los Altos, a pet parade has been running since 1948. In 2022, locals celebrated the 75th anniversary of the annual Los Altos Kiwanis Pet Parade, which happens the Saturday after Mother’s Day. This event draws more than just cats and dogs each year, with some residents bringing their rabbits, snakes, turtles and tarantulas.
