Pets are so highly esteemed in Nicaragua that a special celebratory mass was held in their honor this past weekend. Owners brought their beloved furry friends, many decked out in costumes, to the vigil to pray for healing for animals that are sick and protection from sickness for those in good health. The mass was held at a small church in a town close to the Nicaraguan capital of Managua. The tradition of the animal-focused mass dates back to the Spanish conquest.

"We brought him so he does not get sick," said local resident Nora Espinosa, talking about her six-month-old Basset Hound, dressed in a soccer outfit.

Not only is this a chance to hopefully spare your beloved pet from future pain and suffering, it's also a great opportunity to pull some of those fabulous pet costumes from the closet and get another use out of them. Here at Ecollo, we call that re-cy-cling - say it with me now.

» Reuters