There was a boxer who wasn’t a Boxer, a Pugsley who wasn’t a pug, and a vampire who doesn’t bite, because a good dog would never do that. No she wouldn’t.

It was Dog-O-Ween at Tom Brown Park on Oct. 26, a day honoring costumed canines competing for cash and prizes.

And of my 37 years in journalism, it was a dream assignment — and one that doubled as a romantic Sunday afternoon as my wife and I smiled about the role Dog-O-Ween played in our early courtship.

But this isn’t about us. I’ll explain later why this assignment was more important to me than covering presidents, governors, professional athletes, actors and rock stars since I took my first full-time journalism job in 1988.

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Puttin’ on the dog

Let’s instead get to the dogs who entertained families and vendors at Tom Brown Park as Star 98.9 radio hosted its 36th annual costume contest. As we arrived, a blues band serenaded Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog” to Doc, a 4-year-old Boston terrier dressed in a jumpsuit worthy of the King himself.

“I was looking at different costume choices online and I saw that one and I thought it very much reflects his personality – his very much outsized personality,” said Scott Bleiweis, as Doc basked in the attention of strangers and offered belly rubs. “I’ve been playing Elvis at home to get him in the mood.”

Alice, a 3-year-old mix of several breeds — owners Steve Burgess and Reba Franklin describe her as a “knockoff basenji” — was a knockout in her golden boxing robe and red gloves. She truly had the spirit of a champ.

Then there was Ava, a 4-year-old black Lab dressed as Pugsley Addams, accompanied by Chris St. Louis as Morticia, Melissa Cinotto as Gomez and Sharon King as Wednesday.

Ava, with a mini, plush meat cleaver bouncing around as she strutted on stage, was picked as the costume contest winner.

“Ava loves this event and we love dressing up,” said St. Louis. “We decided on ‘The Addams Family’ this year.”

A treat for puppy lovers

It’s an easy event to love. Food booths, locally made organic dog treats, live music and vendors ranging from veterinary care to a build-your-own dog treat bag giveaway.

And, of course dozens of costumed dogs running around as a cowboy, vampires, a banana, pumpkins, royalty and even a large poodle whose puffy curls were dyed pink to look like cotton candy.

Blizzard, the enormous pink poodle, ended up taking second prize. Owner Victoria Grammer, who works at Lakeside Grooming of Tallahassee said the 5-year-old enjoys the colorful look.

“He’s a really good boy on the table. He behaves really well. Most of the time he just sits and hangs out and lets everything process,” Grammer said. “With him being colorful and fun I decided to enter him in the contest and see how he does.”

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Dream assignment

I retired from The Associated Press in January after 27 years covering Florida politics and government. When I left the company, I was asked by friends what I wanted to do next.

“I want to cover Dog-O-Ween,” was often my reply, only half joking.

I began my career covering community news in Massachusetts, and by the time I retired, I wanted to return to those roots, even just to write an occasional story. I, like many, was weary of the divisiveness and ugliness of politics. And then there were the mass shootings, executions and deadly tornados and hurricanes I covered when I wasn’t at the Capitol listening to lawmakers argue.

I thought writing about the positive things happening in Tallahassee would be more fun now that I had some free time.

And Dog-O-Ween has been an inside joke between my wife, Amy, and me since the first month we dated. Amy knew I was a reporter, but never asked much about my job. In a town where people try to gain power through personal relationships, it was refreshing to meet someone who wanted to talk about books, music, food and fun stuff rather than elections and the Legislature.

We were dating for three weeks when I went to a wedding in St. Petersburg. At the reception, I ran into then-First Lady Carole Crist. As we were chatting, she looked at me, grabbed my arm and asked, “Did you meet someone? You look like you’re in love.”

I smiled and replied, “I did meet someone. And I think I am falling in love.” I was like a teenager babbling on to Mrs. Crist about the budding romance.

That evening, I told Amy that Mrs. Crist wanted to meet her.

“How do you know Mrs. Crist?” Amy asked, clearly puzzled.

“I cover her husband Charlie, the governor,” I replied.

“For The Democrat?” she asked. I said no, for AP. She said, “I told my mother and my friends that you probably cover Dog-O-Ween!”

And now, almost four decades after earning my journalism degree, I finally have.

And it was a lot more fun than covering politics.

(This story was updated to correct a misspelling/typo.)

Brendan Farrington is a longtime journalist who most recently was a Tallahassee-based reporter for the Associated Press. He now writes occasionally for the Democrat.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Puppy love and a love story come together at Tallahassee’s Dog-O-Ween