- The late Michael Jackson, Wendy Diamond portrayed as the Arresting Police Officer of the Balloon boy in this case Lucky Diamond as Balloon Dog.
The biggest newsmakers of the year were out in full force! Host Lucky Diamond “floated” in as the infamous “Balloon Boy,” Fox News’ Lauren Sivan and Rick Leventhal earned their wings as hero Captain “Sully” Sullenberger and his flight attendant, with their little dog, Spanx, as the pesky bird that caused the plane to go down. Even Eli the Chihuahua, dressed as the Pope, “blessed” us with his presence!
Everyone from Scooby Doo to Princess Fiona to Elvis had a tail-wagging good time at Animal Fair’s 9th Annual Howloween Costume Party, which benefited the Humane Society of New York. What could be better than having a dog-gone fun party while helping a good cause? Chasing cats and digging in the yard comes close, but no cigar.
The celebrity judges who gave paws up or paws down were the Rescue Ink crew, Ramona Singer of The Real Housewives of New York City as a pirate alongside her dog, Coco, Lauren Sivan, Rick Leventhal, Ainsley Earhardt as a cat (better be careful dressed like that at a dog party!) and Courtney Friel and her Stoli, of Fox News, who marched in as a proud soldier, Z100’s Skeery Jones and Miss Teen U.S.A. Stormi Bree Henley.
The big winner of the night was a little dog dressed as an army recruiter, fully loaded with his own little army base, aviator sunglasses and a “don’t ask, don’t tell” sign! This little G.I. Pup was one of the most talked about canines of the “pawty!”
Even Michael Jackson made an appearance just in time for the release of This Is It!
Some of the other big winners this year included a doggie duo dressed as Snoopy and Woodstock, who made a big entrance in a little airplane, a 70’s Guido dog who took the “honor” of “Most Tasteless,” Jane Pontarelli’s little Maltese was a “diva dog” dressed in a $1000 bright red Kleinfeld’s dog wedding dress that could rival Mariah Carey, a “baby” being carried in a pouch by his “daddy,” a flashy showgirl – I should say showdog and Luigi, a tiny punk rocker, complete with a little pink Mohawk, who arrived with his parent, Mary of Rescue Ink.
We were also treated to an appearance by Marie Antoinette and her yummy doggie “cakes,” as well as Stephanie and Ira Churnick with their pup as a Native American family, going the whole nine yards with headdresses and moccasins. Also getting cultural was Caroline Lieberman and her furry friend, Maharajah Mumbai as an Indian prince and princess. The fashionable dog arrived decked out in a traditional Indian tunic, pants, jewelry and even a turban!
The winner of this year’s raffle was a pint-sized pooch named Porsche and her human parent, Grace Foster, both decked out as Shrek’s bride, Princess Fiona. They both seemed to have an “ogre”-whelmingly good time!
Lucky Diamond was not qualified to win the costume contest, as her mom, Wendy Diamond was the “arresting officer” and chairperson of the event. However, the charismatic Maltese did win Honorable Mention as the high-flying Balloon Boy (or dog in this case)!
Wendy Diamond’s Howloween Pet Costume Tip – On a budget? Grab some old hangers, Reynolds wrap, tape, and you have Balloon Boy! Total cost is only $5.oo, top that Martha Stewart!