Brazil is ramping up toward the world's most famous Carnival celebrations and already the dogs have had their day.
Dozens of costumed dogs joined their owners in a traditional pre-Carnival parade Sunday along Avenida Atlantica bordering Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach.
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Brazil is ramping up toward the world's most famous Carnival celebrations and already the dogs have had their day.
Lucia Coutinho's 12-year-old Maltese, Bebel, came dressed in a mask and a Batman cape.
"I don't know if she enjoys it, but she barks a lot," Coutinho said.
A woman poses with her dog Kiara during the "Blocao" dog carnival parade along Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoSilvia Izquierdo)
A costumed dog participates in the "Blocao" dog carnival parade along Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoSilvia Izquierdo)
A woman parades with her dog Clarice during the "Blocao" dog carnival parade along Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoSilvia Izquierdo)
A man dances with his dog during the "Blocao" dog carnival parade along Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoSilvia Izquierdo)
Dogs dressed for carnival attend the "Blocao" dog carnival parade along Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoSilvia Izquierdo)
A dog named Kiara participates in the "Blocao" dog carnival parade along Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoSilvia Izquierdo)
A dog dressed for carnival participates in the "Blocao" dog carnival parade along Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoSilvia Izquierdo)
Costumed dogs participate in the "Blocao" dog carnival parade along Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoSilvia Izquierdo)
A dog dressed for carnival attends the "Blocao" dog carnival parade along Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoSilvia Izquierdo)
A municipal police officer takes a selfie with a woman and her dog Bebel during the "Blocao" dog carnival parade along Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoSilvia Izquierdo)
A reveler performs at the "Cordao do Boitata" street party, one of the many parades before the start of Carnival which begins on Feb. 21, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoLeo Correa)
A reveler enjoys the "Cordao do Boitata" street party, one of the many parades before the start of Carnival which begins on Feb. 21, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoLeo Correa)
A reveler in a costume performs "Cordao do Boitata" street party, one of the many parades before the start of Carnival which begins on Feb. 21, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoLeo Correa)
A reveler in a costume enjoys the "Cordao do Boitata" street party, one of the many parades before the start of Carnival which begins on Feb. 21, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoLeo Correa)
A reveler in a costume enjoys the "Cordao do Boitata" street party, one of the many parades before the start of Carnival which begins on Feb. 21, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoLeo Correa)
“At first it seemed very strange, they were agitated, but now they enjoy a lot. It's an opportunity for them to play with other friends”, said Claudia Idelfonso, who arrived with Bianca, a schauzer, and Luna, a mutt wearing what looked like a Hawaiian lei.
A reveler in a costume enjoys the "Cordao do Boitata" street party, one of the many parades before the start of Carnival which begins on Feb. 21, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoLeo Correa)
Lucia Coutinho's 12-year-old Maltese, Bebel, came dressed in a mask and a Batman cape.
A dog dressed like a prisoner appeared to be lost, while on another corner, dogs dressed as a sailor, a nurse and a bee advanced in single file.
It wasn't clear if the owners or pets had more fun.
A dog named Capitao is dressed for carnival while participating in the "Blocao" dog carnival parade along Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoSilvia Izquierdo)
"I don't know if she enjoys it, but she barks a lot," Coutinho said.
The parade is one of many leading up to the formal start of Carnival on Feb. 21.
A woman kisses her dog Eva during the "Blocao" dog carnival parade along Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoSilvia Izquierdo)
A woman poses with her dog Kiara during the "Blocao" dog carnival parade along Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoSilvia Izquierdo)
A costumed dog participates in the "Blocao" dog carnival parade along Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoSilvia Izquierdo)
A woman parades with her dog Clarice during the "Blocao" dog carnival parade along Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoSilvia Izquierdo)
A man dances with his dog during the "Blocao" dog carnival parade along Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoSilvia Izquierdo)
Dogs dressed for carnival attend the "Blocao" dog carnival parade along Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoSilvia Izquierdo)
A dog named Kiara participates in the "Blocao" dog carnival parade along Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoSilvia Izquierdo)
A dog dressed for carnival participates in the "Blocao" dog carnival parade along Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoSilvia Izquierdo)
Costumed dogs participate in the "Blocao" dog carnival parade along Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoSilvia Izquierdo)
A dog dressed for carnival attends the "Blocao" dog carnival parade along Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoSilvia Izquierdo)
A municipal police officer takes a selfie with a woman and her dog Bebel during the "Blocao" dog carnival parade along Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoSilvia Izquierdo)
A reveler performs at the "Cordao do Boitata" street party, one of the many parades before the start of Carnival which begins on Feb. 21, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoLeo Correa)
A reveler enjoys the "Cordao do Boitata" street party, one of the many parades before the start of Carnival which begins on Feb. 21, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoLeo Correa)
A reveler in a costume performs "Cordao do Boitata" street party, one of the many parades before the start of Carnival which begins on Feb. 21, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoLeo Correa)
A reveler in a costume enjoys the "Cordao do Boitata" street party, one of the many parades before the start of Carnival which begins on Feb. 21, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoLeo Correa)
A reveler in a costume enjoys the "Cordao do Boitata" street party, one of the many parades before the start of Carnival which begins on Feb. 21, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoLeo Correa)