Nothing Like a "Doggie Trot" to Bring Out the Best in Lynbrook Locals

Like many American communities this divisive election season, Northeast Lynbrook has its share of political signs dominating its front yards. It’s not uncommon to see a “Choose Democracy; Choose Harris” placard competing for attention with a “Trump: Make America Great Again” sign right across the street. But, whether a liberal democrat or a conservative republican, all here can agree on one thing: There’s nothing that brings everyone together like a delightful, canine-based event!

Or, in this case, last Sunday’s “Halloween Doggie Trot,” the third annual installment of what is fast becoming a cherished tradition here in northeast Lynbrook, and based not far from the legendary Maier’s Brick Cafe on Lakeview Avenue.

Co-hosted by locals James and Dieter, the corner of Driving Park Avenue and Edmund Street served as “ground zero” for the beginning of this season’s doggie trot, where more than thirty-five adorable collies, greyhounds, golden retrievers, German shepherds, beagles, Pomeranians, Shih Tzus, Chihuahuas and dachshunds (and their amused owners!)—in Halloween paraphernalia—met and paraded across the quadrant, enjoying lots of barks, laughs, good natured sniffing of private parts, and warm Halloween spirits.

Following up on last year’s Thanksgiving Doggie Trot, this spectacle drew nearly seventy humans with their adorable canine companions from as far afield as Malverne and Rockville Centre. Mother Nature was on board, as the weather couldn’t have been more perfect. The crowd began drifting in around 4:00 and the various fellas did their unique “meet and greets” with their conspecifics, sniffing up a storm and good-naturedly barking hellos to each other.

One massive 150-pound Great Dane, with Harlequin coloring (think a pony-sized dalmatian!) was making nose-to-nose besties with a four-pound Italian greyhound! Meanwhile, the dogs’ keepers got to know each other, petted the affectionate little fellas, and laughed at the assorted dog Halloween costumes, consisting of, among others, skeletons, skunks, spiders, pumpkins, kings, sharks, bats and bumble bees. One cutie named Charlie had on a “Police K-9 Unit” shirt. A greyhound, Ruth, was dressed as Taylor Swift, with a blonde wig and sporting a “Swift / Kelce 2024” faux-campaign t-shirt. Her owner was distributing “friendship bracelets” to both the Swifties and non-Swifties in the crowd.

Not surprisingly, a number of smaller dogs wore mustard-slathered hot-dog-and-bun outfits. The aforementioned dalmatian-colored Great Dane, Derek, sported a speckled cow bell around his neck, as did his owner, Christine, who wore a matching speckled bell-and-pants combo. The hosts James and Dieter, with their dog Winston, were thematically accoutred as Mario, Luigi and Dragohoho, respectively, from the Super Mario Bros franchise.

Once the bulk of the trotters had arrived, one prescient photographer, who had brought along a tall ladder to take group photos from on high, attempted to chronicle the totality of the festive event. The phrase “herding cats” comes to mind here! In addition, a “photo booth” with a large, blue, spooky Halloween motif backdrop was utilized by all, as each dog / owner pair posed for the camera. One local, Christine, corralled her overstimulated Shih Tzu Cookie in his skeleton costume long enough to pose for a photo. Once done, he was off to eagerly fraternize with his peers.

Soon enough, though, it was time for the “Trot.” The assembled group ambled with their dogs east on Driving Park, south on Chestnut, west on Oak and back north on Christabel. Folks along the route came out of their houses and joined in the merriment, snapping photos and chuckling at the menagerie of costumed canines, with names such as Eri, Violet (aka “Sassy”), Cash, Franca, Gigi, Teddy, Bear and Dixon. One dog-free family wheeled their three youngsters around in a cart alongside the fellas, the excited children not going to let this mere detail cause them to miss out on the big event! Meanwhile, car drivers passing through patiently laid off their horns and navigated the cluster of pooches gracefully, waving and smiling at costumed dog and human alike as they drove slowly by, and taking in the scope of the four- and two-legged spectacle!

Afterwards, back on Edmund Street, folks enjoyed hot apple cider and all sorts of bakery goodies, such as scones, muffins, cookies and biscotti, and standard Halloween snacks, like Snickers and Twix bars, inside the large canopy tent graciously set up in the hosts’ driveway.

As James, the event’s organizer and promotional cheerleader, noted afterward, “We had a great time. The crowd gets bigger each year and the dogs all get along. Just to get the neighborhood together and the dogs and the great weather. Just a great day!”

So, let Kamala and The Donald duke it out for power down in Washington. Here in Lynbrook, around Halloween, it’s the dogs that rule the day! As it should be!