Bark in the Park - the Green Park Pug Meet

Those closest to me will know the love that I have for Pugs .
I follow a whole host of Pug Instagram's, window shop online for what I would buy for my fantasy pug, squeal and make a big deal whenever I see a real one 'in the wild' and I'm constantly annoying my mother by sticking my phone under her nose at break times with yet another picture or video of a cute little snuffly pug. 

Being quite an avid follower of the pug community I had started to hear about 'pug meets' and, luckily, my recent trip to London just happened to coincide with one held in London's Green Park. I joined the group page and asked if I could come along as I was hoping to ask some owners some questions about being a pug owner and the responsibilities involved - I like to be prepared and have already read quite a lot of literature about pugs, but the best way to really prepare yourself for becoming a pug momma is to ask the owners about their experiences.

Now, I will admit that come the day my shyness did overcome me so I mostly spent my time photographing the pugs (with my new Canon 1200d) and sneaking a few pats and cuddles in rather than quizzing owners.

I had also been accompanied by my mum and I always revert back to schoolgirl shyness in her presence ESPECIALLY when she's prodding and making really loud remarks to 'go and socialise!' It just all becomes way too cringey and exasperating and while I would be FINE normally the remarks just tip me over the edge and send me straight into my shell to hide.
It's awful.

That said, I still had a brilliant time and I was happy enough just getting to spend some time with some actual real life pugs!
They were so hard to photograph as they were all whizzing around like rockets and I was still trying to get the hang of my flashy new camera, but they were all so delightful with their tongues hanging out and all bashing into each other.

I love pugs because although yes, they are quite ugly dogs they are also full of so much character. They really are the clowns of the canine world and are known to be a super-sociable, happy and amiable breed. 
My current concerns about getting a dog are the costs involved - especially as pugs are known to have a series of genetic defects that insurance won't likely cover,however, seeing them all playing happily together really confirmed to me that it would all be worth it and that I am definitely ready to make that commitment.

I adore animals and have had several pets so far in my lifetime, and I definitely have a lifestyle that would suit a demanding breed such as a pug. I wouldn't be prepared to take on an animal if I was not able to provide it with the love, care, attention and security they need and a condition for me being able to get one is that I pass my driving test so that it can commute with me, a condition which has actually given me a great incentive for getting on with my lessons and studying hard! Whenever I feel like i'm really struggling with a driving lesson I can picture my little pug sitting in the back of my car barking at things from the window. Honestly, I can't wait.

Looking dapper in a bow tie - bow ties are cool

Alongside pugs I also adore huskies but I think for the time being a pug would be the right breed for me (and probably more than enough to handle - I'll probably end up with the naughtiest, cheekiest pug from the pack) but maybe later on in a few years I can expand my pack and also get a husky dog.
I think husky dogs are absolutely gorgeous, and I love how similar they are to wolves. When I finally get my husky I can live out my Westeros fantasies - striding past Winterfell with my direwolf in tow (probably just striding up Selkirk Hill whilst getting soaked with the Border mists.)

Anyway - back to Green Park.
After quite a stormy morning that had a real downpour of torrential rain the weather cleared up and turned into a glorious sunny day just in time for the meet up in the afternoon.
Not knowing London terribly well I was a bit nervous whilst getting the tube in case I wouldn't be able to find the group, but as soon as I got off I started seeing owners with their pugs making their way through the park. My Mum had insisted on stopping for a quick hotdog along the way which I tried to gobble down before we got to the meeting point but I still had a bit left when we got there - probably explaining why a few pugs immediately came running up to me! (I wasn't complaining.)


All the pugs seemed so happy and were all playing together nicely, none seemed at all put off by the large number of people there or the other dogs and got stuck in as soon as they were let off their leads.
It was great to see pugs of all different ages there too with some energetic younger puglets running alongside some slightly heavier older chaps.
One of the pugs that really stood out for me, and proved to be the inspiration for my eventual first choice name for my pug, was a cheeky fella who spent his afternoon racing after a football that was being kicked around for him.
It was his obvious joy and love of the game, as well as the start of the World Cup, that has helped me settle on the name Pirlo for my puggy (when I get him).

Yes, he will be named after the Italian team captain, and I will be teaching Pirlo Pug all manner of ball tricks to help him live up to his name too.

Anyway I am fully aware that I am rambling on now (a bad habit that I am hoping to curb as I blog more!) so I will leave you with some more pictures, and a video from the day. 
Apologies for the quality of the video - I took it on my phone rather than my camera and it was crystal clear until I uploaded it to youtube - I'm afraid my technical capabilities aren't quite there to improve it yet! Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy!

Have you been to a pug meet or have a pug? I would love to hear from you if you have any advice or entertaining (or horror!) stories!

Pugs & Kisses (Sorry - couldn't resist!)

T x

Tired out from a hard day's play!

Starting to form a gang

Smelled something questionable?