Lena was adopted from the Dane County Humane Society four years ago. (Cara Lombardo/Madison Commons)

Dogs (and their owners) descended on the Capital Brewery Beer Garden in Middleton on October 4 for Dogtoberfest^®, an annual fundraiser for the Dane County Humane Society.

The event included a raffle drawing, a dog costume contest, live bluegrass bands and, for the human guests, plenty of beer. Several of the dogs in attendance were Dane County Humane Society alumni themselves, having been adopted years earlier.

Canine guests mixed and mingled. Some dogs stretched out on top of picnic tables as their human friends drank beer and enjoyed the live music. Others happily posed for the cameras of adoring strangers. Over 40 dogs competed in the costume contest; costumes included a witch, a construction worker, beer hops and a bag of jelly beans.

Jamie and her dog, Stella (on the left), double-date with Shawna and her dog, Buster. (Cara Lombardo/Madison Commons)

Māko, a white miniature schnauzer with an elaborate green hairstyle featuring fake lizard scales, placed first. Deb Compton, who accompanied, said she decided to take him to Dogtoberfest^® when a friend invited her to the Facebook event. It was an added bonus that his unique hairstyle made him a standout contestant.

“He happened to be getting ready for another contest,” she said.

Visit our Facebook page for additional photos of the event. 

Nemo (right, in the dinosaur costume) seems to notice his costume’s similarity to Māko’s (left) real-life coloring. (Cara Lombardo/Madison Commons)