Sun. Oct. 26

I'm part of a a family animal rescue program. An informal one mind you, and one that my wife takes near-100 percent responsibility for. Me, I help out a bit. What she does is take care of "rescue" cats in the 'hood, feeds 'em on the porch, shelters 'em. We've taken in a few ourselves and domesticated them. At any rate, our antennae is up, pet-wise, and we met recently for lunch with Jana Kohl - of the Kohl store family - who's taken it upon her to rid the world of puppy mills, specifically, and fight animal abuse in general. She's an ally of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). We had a great talk, the story of which will be in the Boston Phoenix (www.thephoenix.com) Oct. 2 in the This Just In Section. We also met Cheryl Sullivan (no relation), the regional publisher of Beantown Tails Pet Magazine. And she told us about this: The 4th Annual Divas Unleashed Halloween Pet Parade, which benefits the ASPCA. Well, our cats don't do parades, but canines certainly do so we're calling all dogs and dog owners here. Who let the dogs out? You! On Sunday Oct. 26 you check in 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at the DoggieDay Play Center at 400 Tremont St. (www.doggieday.com/halloween). The subsequent parade is led by the Salem High School Marching Band and Color Guard.  You will be led down the parade route to the sounds of some of your favorite Halloween songs including the "Theme to Star Wars," (Halloween song? Oh, the costuming, right.)  "Monster Mash" and many others.
For the third year in a row, Randy Price - a big doggie guy himself - of WHDH Channel 7 News will be your Emcee for the Finalist Fashion Show and will be awarding the prizes. Your Grande Divas are Universal Motown recording group JADA. The parade commences at noon down Tremont Street heading toward the Boston Common, making a left onto South Charles St, continuing across Stuart Street, across Boylston Street at which point the parade marches up into the Boston Common on the sidewalk, heading to the band stand where festivities and awarding of prizes will take place. At the end of the parade route, JP Licks will be serving coffee, hot chocolate, doggie sorbet (and ice cream, depending on the weather…)

How much is all this? A $25 donation enters you and/or your pet in the parade to march.  You and/or your pet will be entered into the costume contests and a chance to win various prizes.  You will also receive an event nylon tote/backpack to trick or treat to sponsors and vendors for fun give-aways.A $50 donation gets you all of the above, and as a VIP, you will march at the front of the parade, behind JADA. Costume categories include: Most Outrageous Dog, Most Original Dog and Best Group or ensemble. Top prizes include hotel stays in New York and Boston and various restaurant giveaways in Boston.

400 Tremont St. 888-DOG-SPA8 www.doggieday.com/halloween