At bipawtisan pet parade in DC, both parties agree: costumed pups are doggone cute

Danielle Battaglia

Doggone it.

Sen. Thom Tillis had to miss his biannual Halloween party for dogs at the U.S. Capitol after finding himself one sick puppy.

“Unfortunately I have COVID and won’t be able to kick off today’s Bipawtisan Howl-o-ween Dog Parade,” Tillis posted on social media. “But believe me, it will all work out. I know the perfect person for the job…”

Under his statement, Tillis posted a photo of Sen. Mitt Romney dressed up as Ted Lasso.

Romney and Tillis are sure to be friends fur-ever after Romney agreed to fill in as emcee of Tillis’ Halloween event in the Hart office building Tuesday afternoon.

Romney wrote back to Tillis’ social media post: “Honored to lead today’s Bipawtisan Howl-o-ween Dog Parade! And praying for a speedy recovery for my friend, Sen. Thom Tillis.”

A dog dressed as a panda participates in the Bipawtisan Howl-o-ween Dog Parade on Oct. 31, 2023, in Washington, DC.
A dog dressed as a panda participates in the Bipawtisan Howl-o-ween Dog Parade on Oct. 31, 2023, in Washington, DC.

Parade of pets

Tillis’ annual Howl-O-Ween parade began long before COVID was a thing. The dog-loving senator first launched the event in 2017 encouraging dogs and their owners to dress up for Halloween and show off for one another.

This year was no exception.

Had Tillis been there, Mossy, dressed as Air Bud with a Tar Heel twist, may have won his favor for being the most North Carolina-centric.

Mossy participates in the Bipawtisan Howl-o-ween Dog Parade on Oct. 31, 2023, in Washington, DC.
Mossy participates in the Bipawtisan Howl-o-ween Dog Parade on Oct. 31, 2023, in Washington, DC.

Her owner, Hailey Borden, is from Raleigh and said Mossy was adopted from Wake Forest. She dressed her golden retriever in a UNC Tar Heels basketball jersey. But she was there representing House Majority Whip Tom Emmer’s office.

Pups Maya and Portia posed pretty with their patriotic hats on.

Charlie, a dog belonging to a staffer of the Senate Foreign Relations​ Committee, came to the Bipawtisan Howl-o-ween Dog Parade dressed as the spy balloon spotted over the United States earlier this year.
Charlie, a dog belonging to a staffer of the Senate Foreign Relations​ Committee, came to the Bipawtisan Howl-o-ween Dog Parade dressed as the spy balloon spotted over the United States earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Charlie, a dog belonging to a staffer of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, came dressed as the spy balloon spotted over the United States earlier this year.

“That’s great,” a man quipped, walking by. “You know we have to shoot it down.”

Maya, left, and Portia pose at the Bipawtisan Howl-o-ween Dog Parade on Oct. 31, 2023 at the Hart Senate Office Atrium.
Maya, left, and Portia pose at the Bipawtisan Howl-o-ween Dog Parade on Oct. 31, 2023 at the Hart Senate Office Atrium.

Other dogs came dressed as “the Magic Omnibus,” princesses, tacos, lobsters, Jimmy Buffett and Barbie.

One dog dressed in a karate uniform showed off his moves doing kicks and chops with its owner. A butterfly danced with its owner.

Dogs and their humans line up for the Bipawtisan Howl-o-ween Dog Parade on Oct. 31, 2023, in Washington, DC.
Dogs and their humans line up for the Bipawtisan Howl-o-ween Dog Parade on Oct. 31, 2023, in Washington, DC.

The event packed the Hart Senate Office Atrium with dogs, their owners and spectators. Many gathered on the walkways between the nine floors that overlook the 90-foot-tall room.

Tillis’ office holds the event every two years, skipping a year for the election. It was last held in 2021, even with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, poses with his office dog, Tilly.
Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, poses with his office dog, Tilly.

That year, Tillis dressed his own dogs, Mitch, as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Theo, as Sen. Kyrsten Sinema.

A dog participates in the Bipawtisan Howl-o-ween Dog Parade on Oct. 31, 2023, in Washington, DC.
A dog participates in the Bipawtisan Howl-o-ween Dog Parade on Oct. 31, 2023, in Washington, DC.

Other dogs have come as former House Speaker Nancy “Pawlosi” and New York socialite Paris Hilton. Or, you know, the standard hot dog.

A dog dressed as a hot dog participates in the Bipawtisan Howl-o-ween Dog Parade on Oct. 31, 2023, in Washington, DC.
A dog dressed as a hot dog participates in the Bipawtisan Howl-o-ween Dog Parade on Oct. 31, 2023, in Washington, DC.

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