Only once in seven years has Cali the Dog appeared in Halloween garb. She attended a party dressed as a New York Jets quarterback who had many problems staying upright.

The oft-injured QB fit the oft-injured DOG to the hilt, including the back-leg limp and shoulder ailments — the QB’s from too many hits and the dog’s from too many gunshots. The jersey, designed for an offensive lineman and certainly not a dog, dragged on the ground, her back feet routinely getting caught in the fabric causing her to stumble.

Yes, she indeed was a New York Jets quarterback.

In dog-ese, she expressed her ultimate displeasure with being made to look foolish and said she’d never, ever agree to being dressed for Halloween ever again.

“Not even for the Paws Rescue Spooky Pooch Contest?” I asked.

“Never,” she woofed.

Cali’s disdain for Halloween costumes, thankfully, is not so with other dogs around Warren County. Throngs of canines will be dressed in costumes for Saturday’s annual Spooky Pooch Contest. Registration for the event is scheduled to begin at 2 at the Outlets at Vicksburg. The contest will begin at 3.

Canines will be judged in four categories — best pet/owner duo, spookiest, most creative and silliest. An affordable $5 entry fee per category is required, and all proceeds benefit PAWS Rescue. Prizes will be awarded for first- and second-place in each division, and for an overall winner.

The county-wide organization is dedicated to rescuing stray and abandoned dogs and cats, making sure they are returned to health and, hopefully, placed in a stable home. The organization’s website is full of animals looking for good homes.

The all-volunteer group routinely has adoption drives and fundrasisers. Caring for and feeding these abandoned animals costs money and, like most organizations, they are struggling for funds.

Cali the Dog, ineligible because I will be a judge, has agreed to help pick the winners. She is open to influence, however, with any number of dog treats.

To many of us, dogs are family. The site of unwanted dogs tears at the heart.

It takes a lot to make PAWS Rescue work. It will take you as well, with leashed-dog in tow and a thirst for a joyous Saturday afternoon.

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Sean P. Murphy is web editor. He can be reached at smurphy@vicksburgpost.com.