At the head of the line the bell-bedecked Clydesdale clomped. Fred, the reindeer beagle, bayed. An elfish poodle pranced. Ruffy, the miniature schnoodle schmoozed with everyone who admired his Tiniest Tree costume. And Titan towered over all the other animals, as befitted his title as World’s Tallest Dog. The second annual Gaslamp Quarter Holiday Pet Parade was underway.

The Gaslamp Quarter Holiday Pet Parade.

^{Photo by Wendy Lemlin}

Approximately 150 participants—canine, feline, human and even a top-hatted, reindeer-horned, bearded dragon lizard—met, mingled and visited sponsor’s booths at the park by the downtown Hilton Gaslamp, before setting out on the parade route along Fifth and Fourth Avenues.

Almost all of the animals sported holiday couture, as did many of their human companions. Titan, the giant Great Dane, fulfilled his duties as this year’s parade Grand Marshall dressed as the embodiment of a Charley Brown Christmas—wearing Snoopy’s flying ace helmet and goggles, and carrying a tree and presents on his back.

About 3,000 spectators, a 50 percent increase over last year, lined the route to cheer on the paraders. Faith Benson, a pet accessory manufacturer’s representative from Bay Park brought her Springer/Brittany mix, Rusty, jauntily showing off his red and green jingle bell party collar.

“This is a great reason to come downtown,” says Benson, as Rusty barks his excitement. “All the animals seem to be having such a fun time. Several of my customers are sponsors, and of course, I love seeing so many pets using the products I sell.”

Award-winning Ruffy, with Doug

and Jan Savage.

^{Photo by Wendy Lemlin}

After the parade, prizes were handed out to the costume winners and talented pets performed their best tricks to compete for top honors. Awards were given to Baily the Gold Digger, a Boston terrier owned by Kathy Anderson for Best costume; and the prize for Cutest Critter went to Coco, a Maltese owned by Doveina Serrano. Fred, Lori Lefebure’s singing beagle, won the talent show with his vocal virtuosity.

Scooter, a Lhasa Apso/Bichon Frisee/Maltese who lives downtown with his human, Shelly Fisher, made a fetching Santa, the red and white of his costume bright against his curly black hair.

Chopper, a four month old Boston terrier puppy, was in full leathers as the newest Biker Dog, replacing the late community favorite Bandit, and doing an exemplary job of riding his remote controlled motorcycle with a mellowness that belied his puppy status.

Ho-ho-holiday spirit.

^{Photo by Wendy Lemlin}

Belmont Tiberius James Fisher, a golden cat dressed in tiny red velvet Santa togs, nestled in owner Catherine Fisher’s similarly attired arms, not quite sure he really wanted to be around so many dogs.

Thumper, a petite long-haired Chihuahua/Yorkie mix in reindeer garb pulled a tiny wagon carrying Patches, a long haired Chihuahua Santa, drawing not only “aawws” from the crowd, but the prize for the Best Costume Duo for their humans Ron and Linda Bloom.

Sir Ruffles von Vicious, aka Ruffy, the silver schnauzer/poodle mix Christmas Tree was accompanied by his costumed owners, Doug and Jan Savage, from Del Mar. Doug, in his pointed ears, red & green tights, and curled-toe shoes drew as many amused remarks as did Ruffy. Winning Best in Show put the first-time participants in the holiday spirit.