Nov. 6th


.11/06/2022 – LI-DOG Howl-o-Ween Pawty 2022Final

Frankie the Pilot and his Pilot and Flight Attendant Parents

Best Pet/Pet Parent Duo Winners

LI-DOG’s Howl-o-Ween Pawty a Barking Success!

Good boys and girls performed Tricks for Treats and competed in close match-ups for best costume at LI-DOG’s Howl-o-Ween Pawty at Off-Key Tikki in Patchogue in early November! Nearly 100 people and almost as many four-legged party goers celebrated all things wonderful about the holiday and canine companionship at Off-Key Tikki’s fun, tropically-themed waterfront venue. Besides the three contests in which more than 9 winners were awarded prizes, there was music, free food provided by Off-Key Tikki, drink specials, a Paw Print printing booth, a Photo booth, and numerous raffles for people to bid on and win including, for the first time, a Grand Prize three-night getaway to Myrtle Beach! The event was LI-DOG’s most important fundraiser of the year. To see photos, lists of winners, and links to all the businesses and individuals who generously donated to the event, go to LI-DOG Howl-o-Ween Pawty 2022!


11/06/2022 – LI-DOG Howl-o-Ween Pawty 2022Final

LI-DOG’s Dog Costume Pawty a Barking Success!

BY SAM DESMOND

Leia, Obi Wan and Their Ewok bulldogs. Best Pet/Pet Parent Duo Winners. Photo Credit: Feng Sherri Hsiu

Frankie the Pilot and his Pilot and Flight Attendant Parents

Jr. Pilot Frankie with his Pilot and Flight Attendant Parents, 1st Place Best Pet/Pet Parent Duo

Jurassic Bark Dinosaurs and Scientist Parents Best Pet/Pet Parent Duo Winners

Good boys and girls performed tricks for treats and competed in close match-ups for best costume on Sunday, November 6th at Off-Key Tiki in Patchogue at the Long Island Dog Owners Group’s (LI-DOG) Howl-o-Ween Celebration.
With nearly 100 people in attendance (and almost as many four-legged party goers), the event celebrated all things wonderful about the holiday and canine companionship. “When we see dogs at an event like this, it shows that they’re an important part of people’s families and that people feel they belong in public spaces,” said LI-DOG President Ginny Munger Kahn.

As a testament to the greater Long Island community’s love of dogs, there were over 20 generous gift baskets donated for Howl-o-Ween raffles from businesses all over Nassau and Suffolk. This included an anonymous donation of a Grand Prize of a three-night getaway to Myrtle Beach at a condo.

Other notable donations included: a hand drawing of your dog by artist Alan Meschkow; his wife Gail donated a hand-knit sweater for your dog and matching hat for you;
IHOP in Oceanside donated once a month pancakes for a year, plus there were several wine donations and beautiful hand-painted wine glasses.

Click on the Sponsors Collage (below) to see a full list of business and individual sponsors.

Of course, the biggest supporter of the event was Off-Key Tiki, which has been sponsoring fundraising events for LI-DOG for nearly ten years. In that time, hundreds of canines have fallen in love with the “beach” area and fire pit while surrounded by live music. The puppers generally sit and enjoy the ambiance much like being at home on the couch with the TV on. Each year, Off-Key Tiki has provided free hot dogs and hamburgers for the human attendees (much to the envy of their four-legged companions). This year, Off Key Tikki also donated gift certificates for the top three contest winners.

Music and announcements were provided by MC Mike Kaplow (himself a husky aficionado) who played a variety of music from the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s throughout the event.

And proving what a democratic gathering Howl-o-Ween is, there were dogs of all sizes and breeds attending the party. “There was quite the diversity of small, medium, and large dogs, who were well-behaved and greeted new people and new dogs in a comfortable way,” said  Munger Kahn.

The main draw of the event though were all the adorable dogs in costume. “It was unbelievable the creativity and care people put into their costumes,” said Munger Kahn.

Three contests were held: two Costume Contests, plus a Tricks for Treat contest.

Chocolate Labradoodle Best Tricks Winner

Best Tricks Winner Oliver

The winner of the Tricks for Treats contest was Oliver, a chocolate-colored Labradoodle, who proudly wore his 1st Place medal the rest of the event. “It was the originality and the interaction between presenter and dog we were looking for,” said Judge Alan Meschkow. “With Oliver and his presenter, you could just see how good the eye contact was and how bonded the handler and the dog were,” Meschkow said. Coming in a close second was Cosmo, a Corgi, with Bulldog Riley coming in a close third.

 

 

With 29 contestants, it was fierce competition for the two costume contests showdown–Best Pet and Best Pet/Pet Parent duo.

 

Best Standalone Pet Winners Harley and Cassie Photo Credit: Joann Garguola

The winners of the Best Standalone Pet Costume contest were: 

First Place – Harley and Cassie, the Magician and his rabbit

Second Place – Percy, the T-Rex

Third Place – Gidget, the Unicorn.

 

 

 

 

Jr. Pilot Frankie in His Plane Photo Credit: Diane Mezz

The winners of the Best Pet/Pet Parent Duo were:

First Place – Jr. Pilot Frankie with his parents Mike and Lucy, pilot and flight attendant (in a remote-controlled airplane!)

Second Place – Toby & Clover, the dinosaurs, with Dena and Bryan, Dr. Sattler and Dr. Hammond from Jurassic Park

Third Place – Lexi, Phoebe and Coco as Ewoks with their parents Sherri and Nick as Leia and Obi-Wan

 

 

 

 

Yorkie 911 Volunteer and Pup Photo Credit: Diane Mezz

Rescue organization Yorkie911 came with several of their adoptable pups and Bond Vet, the animal hospital and veterinary services outfit, came to hand out freebies and goodies for the dogs.

There was a paw print printing booth where people could stamp their pups’ paw on a sheet of paper and then make flowers or other designs around the paw print. For additional canine posterity, there was also a photo booth where people could pose their dogs.

 

 

More than a dozen volunteers were also on hand to set up, welcome guests, sell raffle tickets, and judge the contests.

This was LI-DOG’s most important fundraiser of the year, noted Munger Kahn. The money raised supports LI-DOG’s work to get more access to LI parks and beaches for dog owners and their dogs. Right now, LI-DOG’s main campaign is getting access to non-swimming NYS beaches.

 

 

“We want to congratulate all the winners of our raffle baskets and our contests,” said Munger Kahn.

Paw Print Organizer and Winning Raffle Basket Winner Nikki

Raffle Basket Winner and Paw Print Booth Organizer Nikki

Raffle Basket Winner and His Pup Photo Credit: Joann Garguola

Raffle Basket Winner and Her Dog Photo Credit: Joann Garguola

“The event was a lot of fun and we want to thank everyone, including our amazing volunteers, who joined us with their dogs and made it happen!”

To see all the photos of people and their pups enjoying our Howl-o-Ween Pawty, check out LI-DOG on Facebook and LI-DOG on Meetup. Feel free to tag yourself and your dog!

 

 

Sam Desmond is a Contributing Editor to the Long Island Advance, The Suffolk County News and several other Long Island newspapers. She can be reached at: snd.scribe@gmail.com.


11/6/2022 – LI-DOG HowloWeen Pawty Sponsors Thank You

 

 

 

Thanks SO MUCH to all the businesses and individuals who donated to LI-DOG’s Howl-o-Ween Pawty raffles–BarkBox, Brutus Bone BrothCapo RistoranteChipotleCraft Kitchen & Tap House, Earth BathEarth Rated1/2 Off Cards of WantaghIHOP/OceansideJones Natural Chews, Kwong Ming of WantaghLido Kosher DeliLong Island Bagel CaféMatty’s Toy Stop, PalominosPindar Vineyards, PizzaiolaSangria 71, and Total Wine & More. Plus, many thanks to Alan Meschkow for donating a custom pencil sketch of YOUR dog, Gail Meschkow for a beautiful handknit sweater for your pup with a matching hat for you, and Bailey Applebee Dog for donations of kids crafts and other fun stuff for you and your dog!

An especially big thank you to Off Key Tikki Waterside Bar and Grill for donating their big, fun, tropically-themed waterfront patio and “beach” for our fundraising pawty, plus gift certificates for our top three contest winners and free food for all our guests!

 


.11/6/2022 – LI-DOG Howl-o-Ween Pawty!

LI-DOG Howl-o-Ween Pawty!

Sun., Nov. 6th, Noon – 4 PM
Off Key Tikki Waterside Grill, Patchogue

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our Howl-o-Ween Pawty with your dogs! It was a lot of fun. We’ll post an article with photos, winners of our contests, and more soon! You and your dog are invited to join us for a howling good time at LI-DOG’s Howl-o-Ween Pawty on Sunday, Nov. 6th. Dress up your dog, or better yet, both of you, in your Halloween finest. Enjoy the beautiful views, delicious food, special drinks, costume contests and lots of great raffles generously donated by our sponsors. Just added: A three-day weekend getaway to Myrtle Beach, S.C. raffle prize! This is an important fundraising event for LI-DOG so please join us on the terrace and “beach” at Off Key Tikki for a great time!  Discounted advance tickets are on sale NOW! Advance ticket sales END Saturday evening at 6 p.m sharp! For more information, go to LI-DOG Howl-o-Ween Pawty! 


11/6/2022 – LI-DOG Howl-o-Ween Pawty!

 

LI-DOG Howl-o-Ween Pawty

Sun., Nov. 6th, Noon – 4 PM

Costume Contest and Parade Starts 1:30 PM

 

Rocco and his lovely bride Miss Lily Pad Photo Credit: Joann Garguola

Off-Key Tikki Waterside Bar & Grill

31 Baker Place, Patchogue

(Google Map)

Just Added: Myrtle Beach Weekend Getaway Raffle Prize!

 

Join us for a HOWLING GOOD time at the LI-DOG Howl-o-Ween Pawty on the waterfront and “beach” at Off Key Tikki Bar & Grill in Patchogue on Sunday, Nov. 6th!

Enjoy the views, delicious food, tropical drinks, contests, music, raffles, and lots of fun for the pups!

Dress up your pup, or better yet both your pup and yourself in your Halloween finest. Then, take part in our Halloween costume contest and parade. You can compete in one of two categories– Best Standalone Pet or Best Pet/Parent duo. There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each category. Costume contest and parade starts at 1:30 p.m.

Let your dog show their stuff in our “Tricks for Treats” contest, then let your pup demonstrate his or her inner “Pup-Casso” at our Paw Print printing booth. There’ll also be a scary, but not too scary, photo booth so you can take a memorable shot of your dog at the event.

You can order from Off Key Tikki’s new menu at its South Beach Bistro  or just nosh on hot dogs, generously provided by Off Key Tikki. Off-Key Tikki is also concocting Halloween-themed drink specials to mark the occasion!

To add to the fun, rescue organization Yorkie911 will be on hand with their adorable, adoptable pups. Who knows your dog may find their new best dog-friend at the pawty!

We’ve also invited special guests. Bond Vet will be available to talk about their animal hospital and veterinary services with giveaways and goodies for your pup. Plus, Carol Breuning will be on hand to do tarot card and psychic readings. 

We’ll also have LOTS of raffle baskets for you to bid on.  JUST ADDED: A three-night getaway to Myrtle Beach, SC, generously donated by an anonymous sponsor!  This is LI-DOG’s most important fundraiser of the year, so please do take a chance on winning one of the GREAT raffle baskets donated by our sponsorsBarkBox, Brutus Bone Broth, Capo Ristorante, Chipotle, Craft Kitchen & Tap House, Earth Bath, Earth Rated, 1/2 Off Cards of Wantagh, IHOP/Oceanside, Jones Natural Chews, Kwong Ming of Wantagh, Lido Kosher Deli, Long Island Bagel Café, Matty’s Toy Stop, Palominos, Pindar Vineyards, Pizzaiola, Sangria 71, and Total Wine & More. Plus, many thanks to Alan Meschkow for donating a custom pencil sketch of YOUR dog, Gail Meschkow for a beautiful handknit sweater for your pup, and Bailey Applebee Dog for donations of kids crafts and other fun stuff for you and your pup!

An especially big THANK YOU to Off-Key Tikki for donating their fun, tropically-themed, harborside outdoor patio and “beach” for our dog pawty as well as food for our guests! It’s a great venue and we urge everyone to check them out throughout the year.
 

 

Tickets for the Howl-o-Ween Pawty will be available at the door!

 

Be part of the fun and volunteer to help LI-DOG!

Volunteer Opportunities include:

  • Meet-and-greet pet parents and their pups and collect entrance fee for anyone who did not prepay
  • Sell raffle tickets
  • Give out raffle baskets to our winners
  • Help with the games and the costume parade by being a judge
  • Help set up and/or take down

***Email us at events@lidog.org with Howl-o-Ween Volunteer in the subject line. It’s easy and fun!***

Please be aware that dogs must remain leashed on non-retractable leads at all times, and as always, please walk you dog before entering the venue. Dogs are not permitted inside the restaurant.

To RSVP for our Howl-o-Ween Pawty, go to:

LI-DOG on Meetup

LI-DOG on Facebook

or email us at lidog_news@yahoo.com

We look forward to seeing you and your pups at our HOWL-O-WEEN Pawty! Happy Howling!

P.S. Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour on Sat. night/early Sun. morning as Daylight Savings Time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday morning!