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sually, it’s the pet’s costume that wins the day. For the 2025 PAWS Pet Parade, it may have been the human’s ensemble.

There’s just something about a man dressed like a banana.

Ben Rauch pulls Banana Bandit

It was a cloudy & cool spring day, but that didn’t stop 55 pets showing up to parade Saturday April 12. PAWS is the Pamlico Animal Welfare Society. They held their annual Pet Parade at Lou Mac Park.

Some pets were proud of their outfits. Some, perhaps with cause, looked more than a bit embarrassed.

“Georgia” attended with her humans Drew & Claudine Langdon.

A dog named Taco, was dress like a… taco.

A hound that resembled a Holstein promoted alternative consumption

The “Best Cowboy’s” award went to Bonnie & Josie

Pet Parade Winners

• Best In Show: Ben with Banana Bandit
• Best Cowboys: Bonnie & Josie with Carol
• Friendliest: Bonny with Donna
• Most Loving: Nellie with James
• Best Easter Theme: Tug with Alexis
• Most Flashy: Maggie & Rose, senoritas out for a stroll
• Best Story: Bugs, with Laura. (Bugs had previously been chained to a tree for 4 years)
• Old Girls Still Got It: Bella, with Lizzie
• Hula Girls: Natalaie & Brilan & Sally
• Most Handsome: Spike, with Dee.
• Best Princess: Flower Princess, with Bumblebee
• Best Dragon: Pippin, with Laura
• Best Willie Nelson: “Willie,” as Willie Nelson, with Marguerite
• Best Butterfly: Eloise Princess Butterfly
• Fishin Dragon: Mullet, because she eats bait fish
• Easter Bunny: Brooks, Winston & Shelly, with Susan
• Luckiest Dog: Rosie, with Nancy

The dog is named “Willie Nelson,” with humans Charlie and Marguerite Garrett

Humans and canines on parade

The Hula Girls: Natalaie & Brilan & Sally

Tug’s human Alexis tugged the lad along in a wagon

…

Willing to be bribed: Judge Addrean Han

Master of Ceremonies: Per Erichson

Flower Princess and Bumblebee

“pssstt… you’re wearing a tutu”

Dog Buggs (with human Laura Truman) won “Best Story.” Buggs had been chained outside for years before being rescued.

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Photos by Ben Casey

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Posted Tuesday April 15, 2025 by Keith N. Smith