Pirates, ogres and other cooky characters were on hand for the fourth annual "Howl-O-Ween" event Oct. 25 at Happy Dog Care, in Ellicott City.

About 35 animals and their owners attended the event, which Happy Dog Care owner Julie Sampogna said was a big success.

"We had a great time and it was a lot of fun," Sampogna said. "This is the fourth year we've been doing this and its been great."

The canines enjoyed fun and games, including relay races, a musical sit-down game and bobbing for hot dogs. The main attraction, though, was the costume contest in which the dogs competed in four categories -- Scariest, Cutest, Dog-Human Combination and Most Original. Category winners received either a 10 percent discount on anything in the store or one free day of care.

The winners were:

Scariest -- Angus, a Westland terrier who was dressed as a pirate, owned by Leon and Joanne LaPorte, of Columbia;

Cutest -- Baxter, a Wheaton terrier who was dressed as bumble bee, owned by Jeannie Dremby, of Ellicott City;

Dog/Human Combination -- Wrinkles, a pug-shar pei mix, and Debbie Quig, of Columbia, who came as Shrek the ogre and Fiona from the "Shrek" movie series;

Most Original -- Ben, a chow-shepherd mix, who came as a Chippendale's dancer, owned by Susan Larson, of Ellicott City.

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