Dress up a miniature Pomeranian as a circus elephant? That's goofy.

Parade a bunch of costumed dogs -- and a hamster in a Superman cape -- down the aisles of Theisen's? That's goofy, too.

Goofy and enduring, said Pet-O-Ween's creator.

"You never know what goofy idea is going to stick," said Paul Hemmer, of Radio Dubuque. "When we came up with the concept in 1995, I'll never forget it, I was afraid we wouldn't have any dogs."

Hemmer's fears were unfounded.

"I showed up and about 30 people (with dogs) were waiting," he said.

Sponsored by Theisen's and Radio Dubuque, the 14th annual Pet-O-Ween on Sunday drew 41 participants to Theisen's in Dubuque and celebrated the creativity of matching a pet and a costume.

"The creativity is amazing," said Jane McCall, president and chief executive officer of Dubuque Regional Humane Society.

Pet-O-Ween proceeds benefit the humane society.

"We appreciate the money, but this is also a chance for the animals to socialize," McCall said. "It's

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a fun event."

The big and small of the animal kingdom participated.

Wallace the Irish wolfhound (dressed as Tin Man) towered over Lulu the pomanees (dressed as Cowardly Lion) and joined with a mixed-breed named Stella (dressed as Scarecrow) and Taylor the cairn terrier (dressed as Toto) to create the canine "Wizard of Oz" cast, which snatched top honors. The pet's owners are Stephanie Rattenborg (Wallace), of Manchester, Iowa, Erin and Dixie Hassler (Lulu and Stella), of Dubuque, and Brigitte Connolly (Taylor), of Holy Cross, Iowa.

First runners-up were Jake Kane's bulldogs, who were dressed as Batman and Robin.

Shelly Godwin's two "teddy bear" dogs, Cooper and Baxter, finished second runners-up and were dressed as a chef and a lobster.

"They like the attention," Godwin said as she adjusted the dogs' costumes before the competition. "Everybody has a good time."

Third runner-up was Ann Woodward's little dog dressed as "Petey the Pirate."

Caleb Van Natta, an 8-year-old Dubuque resident, dressed up as Darth Vader and so did his chocolate lab, Snickers.

What made it fun for Caleb?

"It's sort of like I'm on the red carpet," he said.