His yellow-and-black stripped bumble bee costume is a bit tight around the middle this year, but that doesn’t matter to 5-year-old Remmie, an energetic black pug. He is more concerned about getting the attention of those passing by, which is easily achieved once they see this giant bumble bee with a wagging tale, big grin and long pink tongue.

Remmie is trying on some of the costumes he has worn in past years for the Canine Costume Contest sponsored by the Humane Society of St. Joseph. He’s won three out of the four years he’s competed: first as a spider, then a soldier, then last year as a pirate with his own ship. Surprisingly, the bumble bee costume was not a winner.

“That was the first year he entered the contest,” says Remmie’s owner, Nikki Olt. “I realized we were going to have to step it up a little.”

She had just moved to St. Joseph from Pennsylvania when she found out about the contest and didn’t have much time to prepare for it. But winning didn’t matter, Ms. Olt says, because the fundraiser for the Humane Society has proven to be a fun way to meet other people and dogs in the area. She also enjoys creating the costumes, usually by adding pieces to costumes she buys.

“Each year the amount of creativity that is put into the costumes amazes me,” says Laurie Salanski, executive director of the Humane Society of St. Joseph, recalling past contestants who dressed as gondoliers in their own gondola, Raggedy Ann and Andy and Paris Hilton.

And for Remmie, wearing the costume is part of the fun, Ms. Olt says. He likes regular clothes, too. He has his own dresser full of clothes to choose from, holding an assortment of pajamas, raincoats, sweaters and backpacks. As for what Remmie will be wearing in this year’s costume contest, no decision has been made. Ms. Olt says she will be really busy this year, so it probably won’t be as elaborate as last year’s pirate — although she could be holding out so that the competition doesn’t get an advantage. Remmie isn’t talking.

To see what Remmie will be wearing this year, come to Felix Street Square in downtown St. Joseph at 2 p.m. Oct. 3. Or dress your favorite canine in a Halloween costume and join in the fun. Registration begins at 1 p.m. The first 50 entries receive a free goodie bag. For more information, visit www.humanestjoseph.org or call 232-6955.

Lifestyles reporter Sylvia Anderson may be reached at sylviaanderson@npgco.com.