By Liz Johnson
Fall is the purrrrfect season to spend time with your pet, whether it’s walks together enjoying the crunchy leaves or taking part in one of the area’s pet costume events or even just getting a good grooming. Here are a list of ways to spend time with your furry friend:
PET PARADES and COSTUME CONTESTS
2019 Pet Masquerade – Animal Alliance
When: Saturday, Oct. 19, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: Mary E. Sheridan Park, 56 George Street, Lambertville
There will be a pet costume contest and parade, food vendors, some adoptable animals from Animal Alliance, and lots of fun for the whole family. Registration fee is $15 for each pet. Prizes awarded for various categories. Rain date is Saturday, Oct. 26th.
Halloween Pet Costume Parade
When: Saturday, Oct. 19, 1:15 p.m.
Where: Everitt Farms at Pumpkin Junction, 34 Toad Lane, Ringoes
Bring your costumed pet and join the parade for fun and prizes. Also enjoy a corn maze, hay wagon rides and pumpkin patch. Food available on site. Pets must arrive via car and are not permitted on the train. Admission is $7 per person, parking is free. Pets must stay on a leash.
Somerville Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade 2019
When: Sunday, October 27 at Noon
Where: Division Street, Somerville
Meet at Division Street, parade to Hungry Hound. Contest begins at 12:30 p.m. Prizes awarded for cutest, best duo, scariest, and funniest.
Dogs the Spirit of Riegelsville
When: Sunday, October 20, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Where: Durham Road parking lot, across from Fig Tree Market and Café, Riegelsville, Pa.
Fundraising event for Lulu’s Rescue of Bucks County and Red Rock Rescue of northeastern Pennsylvania.The gathering will feature music, vendors, raffles, and a presentation by WDVR-FM’s dog expert Auntie Michelle. Pets are welcome.
Halloween Contest at The Puppy Patch
When: Thursday, October 31 at Noon
Where: Puppy Patch, 1481 Route 22, Annandale
Bring your dog in to the Puppy Patch daycare dressed in a store bought or homemade costume and they’ll take a picture to post on Facebook by 7 p.m. Then, have your family and friends “like” it. The pet photo with the most likes by Sunday, Nov. 3rd at midnight wins a free day of day care. Other prizes awarded for second and third place. The Puppy Patch is a Hunterdon Happening List Winner for 2019 for Best Pet Daycare.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Pet Spa Day at Well Bred
When: Oct. 27 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Where: Well Bred, 1802 Route 31, Clinton
Kim from Puppy Patch will trim nails, clean teeth and/or ears for a nominal fee at this Hunterdon Happening List Finalist for Best Pet Shop. Walk-ins are welcome. Non-aggressive pets only.

Paint Party Studio (photo from website)
Paint Your Pet
When: Sunday, Nov. 24, 1 p.m.
Where: The Paint Party Studio, 48 Main Street, Flemington
Email a well-lit, color photo of your pet, preferably taken at eye level, five days prior to the monthly event at the Paint Party Studio. When you arrive, artists will have already sketched the portrait on a 11-inch x 14-inch canvas that you get to paint it. Voted Best Pet Event on the Hunterdon Happening List.
A Day in the Park
Spend a day at one of the county’s dog parks such as the off leash park at the Hunterdon County Complex on Route 12 in Flemington or Horseshoe Bend Dog Park on Horseshoe Bend Road in Kingwood Township. If you enjoy your time there, consider nominating one of them next year for Best Dog Park on the Hunterdon Happening List. For details, click on this link.
Suds Up
Cooler temperatures can make it uncomfortable to hose down a pet outside after a muddy walk. Consider dropping into the Frenchtown Dog Wash on Bridge Street in Frenchtown for a quick bath and manicure. Prices are reasonable for this Hunterdon Happening List Finalist for Best Pet Grooming.
Trick or Treat
Teach your pet a trick at a class offered by a dog trainer such as Up n Over Agility in Bloomsbury, Hunterdon Happening List Winner for Best Pet Trainer. Ten reward him or her with a healthy treat from a nearby pet shop such as Barkley’s Gourmet Marketplace in Flemington, Hunterdon Happening List Winner for Best Pet Shop. It specializes in naturally prepared foods baked on premises.