Story and photos by Doug Petrowski

So what does Danita Nickles do to prepare for a fashion show? Well, try the outfits on the models, of course … and have some treats ready.

Nickles is owner of Dmarie’s Doggie Boutique in Edmonds, 9639 Firdale Ave., Suite B, and is leading a team of dog models and handlers that will appear on KING-5 TV next week for a fashion show of dog Halloween costumes and accessories. Dogs from Mountlake Terrace-based Forever Home Dog Rescue will walk the fashion runway on New Day Northwest on Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 11 a.m.

“Oh, that’s so cute,” and “that’s darling,” were the phrases of the morning as Bandit, Abby, Vivian and Red all tried on costumes during the fitting. Bandit is a 3-year-old mixed American Staffordshire/Terrier/Corgi; Abby is a 2-year-old mixed Australian Cattle Dog (Blue Heeler)/Pit Bull Terrier; Vivian is a 7-month-old French Bulldog, and Red (age unknown) is a Shiba Inu.

Nickles admitted that Halloween costume sales make up just a small percentage of her business at her boutique for small dogs, but the chance to share with a television audience was too much to pass up on.

For the founders of Forever Home Dog Rescue — Diane Swanberg and Lissa Payne — the television appearance is another opportunity to showcase pets that are available for adoption to qualified homes. In addition to the four at Thursday’s fitting, they hope to bring along Dozer, a 7-year-old Pit Bull Terrier, to the show.

Nickles not only has operated the boutique at Firdale Village Shopping Plaza since February 2010, but she also has an online store and offers dog grooming in Lake Forest Park. In addition, Nickles’designs and creates her own line of doggie clothing, accessories and gifts. Her Firdale Village boutique includes a playroom for small dogs, which is open at various times for general play or can be rented for a private doggie “pawty.”

The Firdale Village Shopping Plaza is home to five different businesses catering to dogs and dog owners. In addition to Dmarie’s Boutique, the shopping center includes a grooming business, a dog daycare, a café and bakery, and a dog washing facility. This Sunday the plaza hosts a big Dog-O-Ween Party outside of Dmarie’s at 1 p.m. with a costume walkway and spooky playroom for dogs and dog owners.