RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – Brazilian canines allowed their people to dress them in masks and costumes Sunday for a four-legged Carnival just days before the humans will hold their own party.
A white-haired lap dog was dressed as a court jester for the gathering of dozens of pets in Rio de Janeiro. A medium-sized pooch was the superhero Flash with yellow wings on the side of its head. A tiny black dog wore insect-like antennas. Two beauties with long white hair sported the Olympic rings on their heads.
The celebration started with the Banda Vira-lata, which means “Street Dog Band” in Portuguese, announcing the beginning of the festivities. People gathered with their dressed-up dogs at the edge of Copacabana beach for the annual “blocao,” or block party, for pets.
While the band played a samba, the four-legged carnival celebrants paraded under Rio’s blazing sun.
“Always by their owner’s side, always a loyal friend …. arf, arf, arf,” a band member sang.