| Imagine my surprise when I went to my mailbox one | | | | hostess and her friends were so pleased! They patted |
| day and found the beautiful, hand-stamped invitation; I | | | | the top of the crate cooing sweet things in doggie talk |
| couldn't believe it. I had been invited to attend the | | | | to my new baby. |
| prestigious "Pug Picnic." What is that, you ask? Well, | | | | Then, they each took turns eagerly peering in the front |
| the Pug Picnic has been an annual ritual here in our | | | | of the crate at my new addition. Penelope, in all of her |
| rural town for several years now. It is an opportunity | | | | Beanie Baby glory, peered lifelessly back, letting my |
| for pug owners from far and wide to get together for | | | | secret out to my new pug friends. But, they didn't |
| an afternoon of fun and pug pride. | | | | seem to mind. They knew that I was trying my best to |
| I had only heard of this marvelous extravaganza, but | | | | fit in. A poodle lover, in a pug predicament, what else |
| knew I would never be invited. After all, I am a | | | | could I do? |
| pug-free poodle lover. How could it be that I could be | | | | One by one, the pugs began to arrive. Their owners |
| invited to this breed-specific event? Aren't pug people | | | | were so proud as they placed each pooch in with the |
| prejudiced against poodle people? Apparently not. This | | | | pug posse in the fenced front yard. Snorting and |
| was quite an honor. | | | | sniffing, they ran laps around the yard, just as the |
| The darling invitations, which appropriately had pugs all | | | | human guests made laps around the buffet table. |
| over them, were a delight. They requested that guests | | | | What a grand time it was, listening to all of the |
| bring a hot dish, a lawn chair, oh, and of course, a pug. | | | | attendants discuss their pugs and why they loved the |
| Well, there I was. What could I do? No amount of | | | | breed so much. Tales of unique tricks and habits were |
| fancy grooming could turn one of my white poodles | | | | told and compared, as the pugs pleaded for just one |
| into a pug. But, I really wanted to attend. Surely, the | | | | more treat. And pictures, too: family pictures and group |
| hostess must know of my predicament; I was | | | | pictures, even pictures of my Penelope! |
| determined to find a solution to this dilemma. | | | | A drawing was held, and then adorable treat bags, |
| And so the day arrived of the hallowed event. And, | | | | decorated by hand, were distributed for each of the |
| perhaps I did seem a bit eager, as I was the very first | | | | pets present. Every last detail had been tended to. |
| one to arrive. Two lovely pugs were romping merrily in | | | | Then, before I knew it, it was over. The pugs were |
| the front yard, acting as the canine welcome wagon. I | | | | packed away in the mini vans and picnic items |
| arrived with my hot dish, my lawn chair, and an armful | | | | parceled and picked up. It was finished, and Penelope |
| of Beggin' Strips. I, of course, was prepared. What | | | | and I had to head back home. I had a marvelous time, |
| about the pug you ask? Well, I brought one along, of | | | | and am so thankful for being included. |
| course. | | | | Perhaps, next year, if I am very lucky, I will again |
| I brought my new baby in a crate, with her soft pink | | | | receive a coveted invitation to the Pug Picnic. But what |
| blankie and favorite treats. Penelope was her name, | | | | will I tell my pug friends when I know, even by then, |
| and oh, was she a looker. Perfect pug proportions | | | | Penelope will still not be crate trained? |
| from head to toe, her coloring, perfect as well. The | | | | |