The Wizard of Oz

The key to posing dogs in pictures: treats. The good kinds. A few pats on the head, and don't forget the praise. The high pitch "Who's a good boy?", "You're so good!", "Ooooooo!" while ruffling their ears.

Dressing the pups in top tier Halloween garb is another ball game. Foreign materials, stretchy bands, bows. Treats, again, a life saver.

I pictured dressing Janie and Leith would be like dressing a fussy toddler going through their terrible twos; wild, cranky, sassy. Thankfully, dogs are not like children.

Janie loves having a bandana around her neck, sporting different patterns almost every day ranging from porcupines, plaid, and her name in large bubbled embroidery.

She is no doubt the best dog in the world. She has an empathic ability to understand how people feel. Countless nights my mind has been buzzing, stress coursing through my veins, and she just knows. She just knows the right way to lean her head on my leg as if to say pet me if you want, but just know I'm here.

There is a special way her eyes glow and widen when going to the park, asking her if she wants to go in the car for a swim, or any time a ball is mentioned. She could go for hours chasing that damn ball. But when she brings it back, the look of adoration gleams in her golden eyes; throw it, throw it, throw it.

Leith, oh Leith. A sweet boy, he is. He walks like a lion, dragging his paws against the ground, swift movements, head lowered with his nose pointed downward like he is constantly hunting. His tail is elegantly long and slender, which looks amazing when he saunters, but a weapon when he gets excited, knocking glasses off the coffee table.

I like to refer to him as the comic relief. In a serious situation? There's Leith chasing a leaf. Feeling dreary? There's Leith swinging a toy around. Dissociating for a little while? There's Leith doing zoomies in the living room. He is his own type of special in a sense that there are absolutely no thoughts going on behind those honey brown eyes, but at the same time he understands everything we say.

Naturally, Janie loved being dressed up, we suspected it had to do with her gentle temperament and the therapy dog instincts making her so calm. She was never confused over her outfits, merely kept a smile on her golden face and swung her hips proudly in whatever she was put into.

Leith, a different story. Still being quite a puppy during his first Halloween, he was a dopey boy. He did anything his big sister did - anything for a treat or two, or three - and he loved to be included in anything. While Janie learned early, Leith copied like a younger sibling often does.

The dress and sparkly tutu gave Janie an extra dose of razzle-dazzle, the spotted bows tucked to her ears like the Queen's jewels. She served looks fierce enough to make Tyra Banks and the Hadid's shake in their designer boots.

I never thought dressing the dogs would be something of a bonding method, but it teaches you about your dog; what they like, tolerate, and hate. Anything Janie and Leith express they do not want to have on them, like a hat or socks or glasses, are never put back on, as that would stress them, or present a negative experience, bringing a low chance of cooperation for next holiday.

Dressing up is a family event where everyone participates to make the story come to life. Where adults can be kids again, filled with the excitement of looking for the next lit porch.

Why The Wizard of Oz?

Because why not The Wizard of Oz! A timelessly beloved classic family movie with musical pieces most of the population has memorized, and a memorable yellow brick road.

Janie played Dorothy, while Leith played The Cowardly Lion. Their personalities represented each character to a tee.

Leith is a timid dog, like the lion, in his fear stage still. Janie is pretty, smart and a feminine girl with a strong mind. Leith follows his sister everywhere like the Lion did from the film, helping him gain confidence every step of the way. Two contrasting personalities creating an inseparable bond.

Leith looked devilishly handsome, plaid clearly his colour, the raggamuffin style matched perfectly to his personality even though he is sleek and shiny with that beautiful white coat of his. Don't be deceived, rolling in mud is his favourite pastime.

This Halloween will see Janie and Leith as Little Red Riding Hood, and the Big Bad Wolf. Anything for treats and a pat on the head.