Happy Halloween!

Bonus Blog--Happy Halloween!

                Halloween is my favorite holiday, and it seems I am not alone.  Americans spent 7.4 billion dollars on Halloween decorations, candy and costumes last year.  And we love including our pets too spending an incredible $350 million dollars a year on pet costumes alone. 

                This week, Patton Veterinary Hospital also participated in the annual Red Lion Halloween Parade as we have for years.  There were many dogs who accompanied employees and clients in the parade and even some ferrets this year owned by one of our client relations staff!  The dogs, dressed as cheeseburgers, hippies, devils, sharks, bees, superheroes and the one and only Elvis, were a big hit with the children who lined the streets to watch the parade and in hopes of receiving some candy.  Many of our staff members also got into the spirit with fun costumes like a 1920’s flapper, a creative jellyfish costume, Wonder Woman, a gypsy and baby Spencer Schmidt as the cutest little monkey!  Yours truly decided to dress as everyone’s favorite telekinetic, blood-soaked prom queen, Carrie White (from the movie and novel Carrie by Stephen King of course!).  The parade is always a fun time and the community turnout is always fantastic.

                So, what makes over half our country scream with delight when we see orange and black décor, witches and ghouls, and pumpkin-spiced everything?  For one, Halloween gives us a chance to indulge in a little fantasy and to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes or to become something we’re not for if just for a night.  The right Halloween costume depends on the person wearing it.  Some people gravitate toward princesses or super heroes.  Others want to be their favorite TV character or want to dress like they did in their favorite decade.  Some like the classics—pirates, ghosts, black cats.  And of course, classic movie monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein and the Mummy are good choices.  But my favorites have always been the creepy, scary costumes.  When I was 6 or 7 years old, I had the choice of being Barbie or Godzilla.  Guess who chose Godzilla?  Cover me in blood and gore, and dress me up as a zombie or an ugly witch any day. 

                We all like a good, scare once in a while to get our hearts pumping and make us feel alive.  Visiting haunted houses, watching scary movies, and reading horror novels all give safe outlets for a little Halloween fun.  I love all the creative Halloween foods as well.  Hot dogs wrapped like mummies, pretzel stick witches fingers, and, of course, the candy doesn’t hurt.  What’s Halloween without Tricks-or-Treats? 

                Even though many of us love the spooky, scary stuff, Halloween should not be considered a dark or sinister holiday.  All Hallows Eve is a time to have fun, maybe do a little mischief and to have a good laugh and forget our mortality for a time, but it is certainly not a day that should be taken seriously. 

                As I settle in this weekend to watch my favorite scary movie of all time, An American Werewolf in London and wait for Trick-or-Treaters to knock at our door, I wish you a safe and Happy Halloween with all your little ghouls and goblins and your black cats and devil dogs, too! 

Happy Halloween!  Dr. Walters