NW Pugs: A Pug Parent Community

Walking into the sparse warehouse-like building, we are a bit early and only a few pugs are sniffing about. Toni, the meet-up organizer, welcomes us with a smile. A table with individually wrapped dog toys and treats sits just behind her. Toni runs an efficient and well-organized event. After signing the liability form and paying our entry fee, we find a spot against the wall and wait.

Slowly the room begins to fill with curled tails and squashed faces. Off leash, the pugs begin exploring their surroundings and the new people to meet. Pugs are known for wanting a lot of attention and haven’t met a human they didn’t want a pet or a smile from. They all take turns bounding in and out of the laps of the other pug parents pausing only to exchange ‘get to know you’ sniffs. Eventually one loses it and starts to race around the room tail tucked low, head high in the air, resembling something of a rabbit or hare. It’s amazing how fast they move in this position. The other pugs scramble to follow, but it is a short lived burst of energy. They all race to find an open lap to take a breather. Although the pug parents are simply sitting and observing, there is a certain amount of energy expended watching all the activity. 

For the next hour, every pug belongs to every human and every human is connected by a pug. As the pugs bound in and out of laps the pug parents exchange knowing smiles and a silent exchange of understanding. This special, unique breed has unique characteristics that all pug parents know and love. Throughout the time together names are exchanged and stories of how each pug parent came to be are traded.  Pug parents swap feeding tips, vet referrals and funny pug anecdotes. For this group, Saturday afternoon is spent with a community built on their love for their pugs.

Click to enlarge picture. Photo by Mike Reyna

NW Pugs: One Pug Parent Builds a Community



Toni, NW Pug Organizer
Photo by Mike Reyna



NW Pugs began in 2005 as a meet-up event for pugs, pug mixes and their parents. The current organizer, Toni, inherited NW Pugs in 2006, and started adding her own twist to the events.



First, she started hosting meet-ups twice a month so more members could attend. Then, she paid for a private dog corral an outdoor park for the group to use out of her own pocket. One member got wind of it and announced it to the group – next thing she knew she had a total of $68 donated from members which covered her costs and paid for the following month of rental. When the weather began to turn, she looked for an indoor space and came across canine training facility called Riverdog. According to Toni, the owner, Denise Stringfellow, was thrilled at the idea of the space being used for a bunch of pugs to mingle. She rents the main training room out to the group for a very low cost.  The meet-ups have been at Riverdog for 5 years and the members couldn’t feel luckier to have a dry, enclosed space for the events. In the summer months, the events are still held outdoors at various parks around the area. To date, 96 meet-ups have been held at the various locations.

There are 147 members on the meet-up page that Toni uses to organize the events and manage attendees. Members become friends at the events through their bond with the breed. Pugs are unique dogs and have distinct characteristics that all pug parents can relate to.

Often, Toni hosts themed parties like the annual Birthday bash, Pugs N Treats, and St. Pugtrick’s day events. At the Easter event, the small plush chicken and pastels represented theme to a ‘t’. At Christmas, a Santa Claus is brought in and each pug has the opportunity to get their picture taken. Today’s event is the 5^th annual Pug-N-Treats party – the first party Toni ever hosted for the group

There is a small fee to participate in the events; the money is used for supplies and donations. Toni concludes each event with general announcements about upcoming events, pugs available for adoption and fundraising activities. A group picture is taken and posted to the website along with other candid photographs from the day. Slowly, the room begins to empty as each pug parent carts off their blissed out pug.

Seattle Pug Rescue

NW Pugs Supports the Seattle Pug Rescue


Seattle Pug Rescue Logo

In addition to the events, the group also participates in fundraising events that support the Seattle Pug Rescue. In the past few years, many puppymills have been raided and many pugs were taken into shelters. Dogs rescued from puppymills are often in bad health and require veterinarian attention and medical supplies. The Seattle Pug Rescue is an organization that helps any pug in need. Relinquished pugs are thoroughly examined and provided any health care necessary. Then, the pug is welcomed with open arms into one of the many foster homes. The foster pug parents will care for the pug until it is placed in its forever home.

According to the Seattle Pug Rescue website, so far in 2010 this organization has rescued 148 pugs and placed 127 in forever homes.

The members of NW Pugs participate in events and fundraisers to raise money for this organization and support its efforts. In 2009, NW Pugs donated 372 pounds of dog food along with leashes, collars and toys, $175 in cash and 5 gift baskets to be auctioned worth $300 to the Seattle Pug Rescue. In 2010, the goal is 500 pounds of dog food and already $261 in cash has been raised.

Pugs & Parents in Action