Saturday 29 October 2011

Halloween- Gone to the Dogs

We don't really celebrate Halloween in Australia. Traditionally we haven't anyway. There are moves by supermarkets and other stores to sell Halloween items. Chocolates, and even pumpkins to carve! 

These are the only two shabby pumpkins my local Woolies has on display


But they have to tell Aussies when it is. 




I was very surprised to walk into Big W and see two stands of Halloween products!

including special Twisties


My recent trip to Texas, even in September showed me a completely unexpected side to Halloween. For the dogs!







My dogs remain grateful that I didn't buy any of these products and will continue to restrain from dressing them up.


Saturday Snapshot, is a wonderful weekly meme from at home with books.
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26 comments:

  1. Leslie (Under My Apple Tree)29 October 2011 at 18:34

    I enjoy Halloween but it has become a bit over commercialized. We tend to do that here in the US. Today I was at Macy's and they already had Christmas decorations out.

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  2. Anonymous29 October 2011 at 21:46

    Too funny! What's a twistie?

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  3. Trish29 October 2011 at 21:56

    How fun to see Halloween themes in an other part of the world! Now that my boys are older we don't celebrate like we used to. It's so much fun for the kids.

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  4. Mary (Bookfan)29 October 2011 at 22:37

    I love the pics! My pic today is about all I do for Halloween - well, that and hand out candy to Trick-or-treaters :)

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  5. (Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea29 October 2011 at 22:37

    As I look at this photos, I am reminded just how commercialized every holiday is here. (Seriously costumes for animals...LOL) fun pictures.

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  6. Christine Rains29 October 2011 at 22:39

    Ha! Poor dogs. Some just look so sad when their owners dress them up. Thanks for sharing the pics!

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  7. Anonymous29 October 2011 at 23:03

    Yes, Halloween has become very, very big here. People dress up for work - in regular offices. I find that kind of strange. I mean, some of the staff dressed up at the library, but there were lots of kids coming by. In a regular office?

    Puppy costumes! Only in the US.

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  8. Lisa@ButteryBooks29 October 2011 at 23:29

    HaHa!! I always wonder what dogs that are wearing clothes are thinking.

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  9. Laurel-Rain Snow29 October 2011 at 23:38

    Well, of course Martha Stewart would be in on that new trend! LOL

    I'm not a big fan of dressing dogs up, but they do look kind of cute.

    Here's MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT and
    MY WEBSITE

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  10. Lisa30 October 2011 at 02:08

    I don't think dogs like to be dressed up, so you're doing the right thing. And I imagine your neighbors would be very surprised if you suddenly went trick-or-treating!

    My Saturday Snapshot

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  11. bermudaonion30 October 2011 at 02:12

    Our dog wouldn't enjoy being dressed up either. Halloween seems to be getting bigger and bigger.

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  12. Stephen30 October 2011 at 02:12

    Commercial holidays know no bounds!

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  13. Irene30 October 2011 at 03:07

    I really love to see the kids dress up, and to decorate, but my cat too is happy I skipped the pet dress up section.

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  14. Alyce30 October 2011 at 03:37

    That's cool that they have a few Halloween products, but funny that they have to say when it is. My kids always want to dress up our animals, even when I tell them how unhappy the animals are going to be if they have to wear a costume. It's not something we do often, but they did talk me into something for the dog one year. :)

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  15. Bev Hankins30 October 2011 at 03:50

    What fun! Boo bars! And special Twisties Ghosts! Hee.


    Here's mine: http://myreadersblock.blogspot.com/2011/10/saturday-snapshot-happy-halloween.html

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  16. Peppermint Ph.D.30 October 2011 at 05:30

    We don't dress ours up...but we are guilty of buying a Halloween squeaky toy or two :)

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  17. Anonymous30 October 2011 at 05:44

    We Norwegians are also a bit unclear on when Halloween is even though it's becoming more customary to celebrate it here too. I hope it doesn't get too big and commercial, but I like having a few orange things around :-)

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  18. Elena30 October 2011 at 08:34

    I was laughing at the costumes for pets too this year. None for cats thankfully. I did buy them a squeaky toy pumpkin to play with though - really for dogs but they don't care.

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  19. Hannah30 October 2011 at 13:31

    Thanks heavens you're also on the side of we don't-dress-your-pets-up-ever folk! There was a photo going around facebook recently of a greyhound in an extravagant costume and everyone was "liking" it, but to me the dog looked bloody miserable!

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  20. Virginia31 October 2011 at 00:42

    Darlin, we've got pumpkins of every shape, size and color running out of our ears here in Birmingham. I stop short of buying doggie "Boo Bars" though! And the little costumes, well that's just wrong!! I'm curious about Twisties? Are the licorice perhaps? Just a guess.
    V

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  21. Genie -- Paris and Beyond31 October 2011 at 03:16

    My sister dresses her two Jack Russells for every event and Halloween is no exception. Since they go everywhere with her, I think that they are accepting of the attire. They will not be coming to Paris with us this week, however!

    Bises,
    Genie

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  22. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz31 October 2011 at 07:12

    Halloween is my favorite holiday. This year, I spent a week as my Identical Twin Sister Who Loves Scary Stories and a day as Fancy Nancy (do you in other parts of the world know this children's book character?) Halloween is the day before my birthday, so I've always thought it lovely that everyone dresses up in crazy costumes and stops in at my house as a special birthday treat for me.

    People in costumes, yes.
    Dogs in costumes, no, no, no.

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  23. Louise31 October 2011 at 11:28

    For those who are curious, Twisties are a savoury snack product. Usually they come in Chicken or Cheese varieties.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twisties

    I didn't realise that they were such an Australian centric product. I used to eat them as a child, but haven't eaten any for years.

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  24. Louise31 October 2011 at 11:38

    I'm glad most of you share my aversion to dressing dogs up. Although clearly someone must be doing it. I think it's no coincidence that the term hangdog is used to describe the expression dogs have when dressed up or coloured. They look so shamed. Ashamed.

    Genie- heading off to Paris again! I'm insanely jealous. I wish it was closer....

    Debbie- we do have Fancy Nancy here, although I think she isn't such a star as she is in the US. And what a happy birthday treat!

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  25. Kath Lockett1 November 2011 at 22:40

    It seems to be 'big' here in Switzerland too - decorations have been on sale since the end of September. Living in an apartment full of oldies meant that we only had one group of trick or treaters visit us. I forgot to have any small 'treats' available so each kid got a family-sized block of chocolate!

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  26. Jill Buck2 November 2011 at 11:52

    I love Halloween because it is just for fun and doesn't involve gifts or too many family traditions. I never dressed up my dogs though.

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