It's Mardis Gras Time - "Barkus" Style!

Queen Harley in her finery!

Laissez les bon temps rouler! 

Let the good times roll! 

It's Mardi Gras Time!

Well, today actually marks the closing to Mardis Gras Carnival time (which runs from the Epiphany, January 6, to the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday) and to celebrate, there are amazing colorful costumes complete with masks and beads, parades, lots of food (after all, it is "Fat Tuesday!")...and dogs!

The parades contains numerous "Krewes," or walking/marching clubs, and the Krewe of Barkus is just the ticket for our canine companions and their hu-families! 

The Krewe of Barkus' motto is: "Humane Treatment for All of God's Creatures."

 

Our "King" Gibson

And just what is the Krewe of Barkus? According to the Hall of Festivities Mardi Gras, the Barkus Krewe: "...was created in November of 1992 at a meeting of the Margaret Orr Fan Club (Margaret Orr being a WDSU-TV Weather Anchor). Its membership limited to canines, the Krewe of Barkus is headquartered in the vicinity of the "Flea Market" and includes such rules as: "Cats, while welcome, will not be provided security." 

Wolf was not entertained!

The first official Krewe meeting was held in January of 1993, when the members elected "Jo Jo McWood" as Queen Barkus I. "Jager Freeman" was selected as King Barkus I. This annual French Quarter event...the only Mardi Gras Parade and Krewe for and by dogs...is open to the public. A non-profit organization, it raises funds every year to benefit local animal shelters and national humane societies. It's motto is: "Humane Treatment for All of God's Creatures."

Bandit woos her congrats to the Royals!

We would like to congratulate this year's Krewe of Barkus' Mardi Gras Queen Maggie, the Labrador and King Wally Dedrick, a Golden Doodle! To read their individual stories, just click on their names, and be sure to keep an eye out in the parade videos below for the Royal Canines' entrances! 

Watching the Mardi Gras parade of dogs was a howling good time and, as you can see, the FiveSibes™ (well most!) jumped right into the spirit of things!

Chloe in her Mardi Gras "Sibe mask!"

If you and your furpals did not get the chance to go to Mardi Gras or missed out on the Krewe of Barkus parade, here are some clips to enjoy while whipping up a few snacks to share with your furkids while watching these adorable pooches all decked out in their Mardi Gras finest!

 ❤ "Woooo...mon amour...my love," 

our King Gibson 

whispers to his Queen Harley. ❤

 

 And what is a "Fat Tuesday" if not a "Tasty Tuesday?" We are joining furpal hosts Sugar, the Golden Retriever and Kol's Notes in their blog hop today as it is quite fitting to talk about food - if not taste it - during Mardi Gras! Be sure to stop over and visit their blogs for some delicious recipes and healthy and informative food tips. For our Tasty Tuesday recipe, we found this recipe for Peanut Butter Mardi Gras Dog Treats by Raising Healthy Dogs (we are opting to leave out the garlic) that sounds yummy and perfect for a party!

Happy Fat & Tasty Tuesday, Everyone!