RELEASING THE HOUNDS DOGS DECKED OUT FOR HALLOWEEN.

Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer

VALENCIA - Halloween has definitely gone to the dogs.

Valencia canines Shiner and Ashley tussled just like they normally would during a play date, despite the fact that Shiner was wearing a black-and- white cow-spotted cloak, complete with a rubber udder. When his horns went airborne, he saw them as a new toy, ripe for the fetching.

The dogs are among the hundreds of Santa Clarita animals that will join costumed children next week, their furry faces surrounded with petals or topped with silly hats or wigs; their coats covered with everything from the red coats of firefighters, the herringbone pattern of a Sherlock Bones costume or white Spandex trimmed in gold.

``I've dressed him up with simple stuff before, like a bandanna,'' said Shiner's owner, Angela Papahronis. ``Sometimes he greets the kids at the door, but he's a big jumper. Normally, he just wears a bandanna. I think it's funny that the cape didn't even faze him.''

Papahronis said the costuming in her house is restricted to the dog, despite that fact that her family has two cats.

``I couldn't do that to them,'' she said. ``Shiner doesn't have any dignity, but the cats, that's another story.''

Dressing up animals is nothing new to those in the pet shop world. According to Will Jackson, a team leader at the Santa Clarita Petco store, customers started purchasing outfits for their dogs and cats the first week of October.

``The biggest seller this year was the pumpkin outfit,'' he said. ``And we sell a lot of doggie treats for Halloween, too.''

The biscuit buffet at the store features special orange duplex cookies for the holiday, which Jackson said are popular trick-or-treat items when animals go door to door with their owners. He also said there is an increase in dog cookie sales just before Halloween, much like candy sales increase.

More than 25 dogs and cats - mostly dogs - are expected at noon today for a costume parade at the store. Participants will get treats and might possibly win prizes for their owners' creativity.

While most animal owners will stock up on goodies made especially for pets, canine companions will still try to get into the stash of candy purchased for youthful visitors or brought home after a night of trick- or-treating.

According to Petco's Web site, people should avoid giving chocolate to dogs at all costs, as it contains the chemical theobromide, which is toxic to canines. Eight to 12 squares of milk chocolate could be lethal for a 15- to 20-pound dog. Theobromide is highly concentrated in dark chocolate, making it even more dangerous to leave around Fido.

All issues of pet pride aside, the Web site also includes safety tips to keep in mind when sharing your Halloween celebration with pets.

Jack-o'-lanterns and decorations should be kept out of reach and pets should be kept a safe distance from visiting trick-or-treaters.

Dogs that go trick-or-treating should be on leashes and wearing identification tags.

Carol Rock, [phone]

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

(color) Shawn Walker of Valencia presents treats to the dogs Ashley, upper left, and Shiner, who were both were tricked into dressing up this year - Ashley as a bunny and Shiner as a cow.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer