Photo by Zachary Siebert / St. Joseph News-Press / Purchase this photo

Boston terrier duo Duke, left, and Daisy, right, will be a toad and princess in this year’s Canine Costume Contest.

Sometimes it’s good to be a girl dog.

Daisy, a Boston terrier, will probably think so when she gets to become a princess for the Humane Society of St. Joseph’s 12th annual Canine Costume Contest, which will be held Oct. 4 at Felix Street Square.

Daisy’s brother, Duke, also a Boston terrier, gets to be a toad.

The dogs’ owner, Jenny Steppe, of St. Joseph, says Duke fits the part because “He’s got really big eyes.”

Last year, Duke was a lobster and Daisy was a ladybug.

Dressing up is nothing new for Daisy and Duke. Both dogs have their own wardrobes.

“They have suede coats, raincoats and pajamas,” Ms. Steppe says.

For their costumes this year, Ms. Steppe says she went shopping on the Internet. Both dogs, she adds, will be ready when the competition begins.

This year’s costume contest, a fundraiser for the local society, will be held at 2 p.m. (registration will begin at 1 p.m.) The cost is $15 for the first dog and $5 for each additional dog. Registration forms may be obtained from local veterinarians, at UPCO and Petco or can be downloaded off the society’s Web site at www.humanestjoseph.org. The first 60 entries receive a free goodie bag per household.

Since Oct. 4 is St. Francis of Assisi Day, Laurie Salanski, executive director of the local society, says the costume contest is being combined with the Blessing of the Animals, now in its 10th year. She adds that since St. Francis is the patron saint of animals and the environment, it’s the perfect time for the blessing and people are invited to bring their animals to be blessed by members of the clergy.

“Some people have brought an iguana and a monkey in the past,” she says.

The blessing will be held during the judging portion of the Canine Costume Contest and should begin around 2:45 to 3 p.m.

Of course, Ms. Steppe hopes that the judges will bestow their blessings upon Daisy and Duke when it comes to awarding prizes in the costume contest. Last year, they weren’t so lucky.

“They’re going to win something this year,” she says.

Cathy Woolridge can be reached

at cathyw@npgco.com.