Dogs dress up at Petland costume contest

Petland Naperville recently held its third annual Pet Halloween Costume Contest to benefit St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

Naperville Mayor A. George Pradel and general manager Jaci Balsan opened the event, which featured a 30-foot red carpet where pets strutted their stuff.

Among the contestants was a "sweet pea" costume, which consisted of a small dog dressed as a pea pod. There also was a Naperville soccer player -- a German shepherd dressed in a Naperville soccer uniform ready to hit the field.

Each contestant received a goodie bag filled with treats and toys. The winners of each category -- Cutest, Scariest, Most Original and Best Dressed -- were given a giant dog bone plaque to hang on their wall at home.

-- Submitted by Mike Isaac of Petland Naperville