BRAZIL: Dogs dress up for Rio’s street Carnival.

Record ID: 538566

  • Title: BRAZIL: Dogs dress up for Rio’s street Carnival.
  • Date: 13th February 2012
  • Summary: PEOPLE ON THE BEACH
  • Embargoed: 28th February 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Brazil, Brazil
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: Quirky,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVA8KDVFYI1KAFDKI2ZK9N6K6WVV
  • Story Text: Hundreds of pets and their owners flock to Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach to party in a street Carnival band aimed at promoting the good treatment of animals.
    The sound of beating Carnival drums mixed with loud barking on Sunday (February 12) as hundreds of pets paraded down Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach.
    While it may seem like it's just one big party, the pooch parade is serious business for the city's animal lovers.
    Part of the lead-up to Brazil's Carnival, the Blocao dog parade has seen canines hitting the streets as everything from fairies to nasty pirates for nine years now.
    The canine celebration is aimed at promoting awareness about animal rights in the country.
    Reveller Alaine Santos said, every year, she and her dogs have more fun in the parade.
    "This is really fun because when we start preparing things, getting their costumes ready, they go crazy and when they see us getting their collars, they get so excited to go out. Once they get here, then, it's total happiness," she said.
    Parade organizer Marco Antonio Toto said it was also a good way to allow pet owners to celebrate their furry friends.
    "I would say the dogs have fun but their owners have much more fun. But the dogs certainly compliment their owners' happiness and that is what matters, to be in the company of a good friend," he said.
    Maria Helena Rocha said she and her dog Miuka were having fun and making new friends.
    "We bring him (dog) here to meet his friends him and make new friends and we have a lot of fun. This is great," she said.
    Brazil's street Carnival, the human kind, will last until Ash Wednesday on February 22.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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