Barkus

That's right...they even have a parade for dogs during Mardi Gras. It's the Krewe of Barkus.

And you can guess who just had to go.

I've never seen Armstrong Park so crowded. It's like every dog in North America showed up and brought their humans with them.

Many dogs and owners were in costumes, the these this year being pirates. Murphy and Belle just rocked some casual beads instead.

Orleans Parish Deputies on the job.

The crowds were enthusiastic and heavy. Lots of dog treats being tossed to the dogs. Belle won't usually take food from strangers but I think Murphy gained about three pounds--he grabbed everything.

The dogs got a lot of love.

At the reviewing corner, the heads of the parade singled Murphy and Belle out as examples of German Sheherds, "known for their proud, regal bearing and their loyalty".

A beautiful day and a fabulous crowd.

Belle made a new friend.

And this poor man was just trying to eat his chicken when Murphy, followed by Belle, zeroed in on him and started shamelessly begging for it.

Everyone else was cracking up as these two were focused on this man and his chicken to the exclusion of everything else. Belle even sat as the man tried to explain that he didn't want to share his lunch,

But they got no chicken...alas. They just had to content themselves with countless dog biscuits from everyone else.

And lots of dog love.

It was so crowded, between the walkers and the spectators, that it took us two hours to get from Armstrong Park down to Jackson Square and back. I got sunburnt. In February. (Smoke that, people in Michigan and West Virginia!) And a great time was had by all.