Pugapolooza!
St. Catharines Pugalug event a doggone success
Alison Bell
Published on
Aug 20, 2008
Sarah Voordouw wouldn't have any other dog.
She's had labs, retrievers and other large dogs.
That was before she discovered the pug.
"They're like little creatures instead of dogs. Their personalities are exceptional," said Voordouw.
Voordouw, a Niagara Falls resident, and her husband operate a tattoo shop. Whenever she goes out, she makes sure her two pugs, 11-month-old Ophelia and four-year-old Jack, are dressed to the nines.
"It's like they have tattoos, too," she said, admiring Ophelia's tutu and Jack's colouful harness.
"How can you resist a dog in a tutu?"
Voordouw rescued Jack. The dog lover brought her two pugs to Pugalug, a fundraiser for a pug dog rescue, held at the Port Weller Community Centre Saturday.
Organizers Krysta Tonkonoh and Suzanne Taylor are also proud pug owners and couldn't imagine a gathering of more than 50 dogs of other breeds in one room.
"Pugs love people more than any other kind of dog," said Taylor. "I've had people pull over to talk to me about my dog because they have pugs. That doesn't happen with your regular shih tzu."
Taylor has owned pugs for 10 years and says she wouldn't have any other dog. That's why she decided, along with Tonkonoh, to give back to the dog that has given her so much love over the years.
Saturday's fundraiser for Pugalug Pug Rescue attracted more than four dozen pugs with their proud owners crammed into the community centre for two hours of chaos. There were also vendors and specialty dog treats and custom made outfits for pugs.
Pugalug Pug Rescue is based in Toronto and helps match pugs in need of a safe home with potential adopters.
The St. Catharines Pugalug was the first fundraiser for the organization in Niagara and Taylor said she expects the event to be a biennial one.
"We raised $1,054.60. We were quite happy with the results and cannot wait for the next event," said Tonkonoh.
For more information, visit www.pugalug.com.