Well, the onslaught is over for another year.

We always get anywhere from 200-400 trick-or-treaters every Halloween, and this year was no exception. It’s fun, though, because the little ones are so cute, and everyone watches them carefully to keep them safe.

There’s a guy at the end of our street who dresses up like Leatherface and breaks out the chain saw every year. Some of the older kids think it’s funny; some are terrified; some just don’t really care one way or the other. They just want their candy.  Ah, the stuff of children’s books!

We tried something new this year. Several of the folks who patrol the neighborhood take their dogs out for walks in their little costumes, so I gave them some doggie treats. They seemed pleasantly surprised, and nobody was offended, so I think we’ll keep that in mind next year.

I met Emmie, the world’s most mellow Basset puppy, a Chihuahua named Belle, a wheezing black pug (can’t remember the name), and a poodle-dachshund mix named Coco, among others. It was fun.

Happy Halloween, everybody!