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Messenger photos by Dianne Garrett
Mobley, left, and Petunia were crowned the king and queen of the 2008 Ohio Pug Rescue Pugnic and Reunion on May 24 at Whitehall Community Park. In back are Teresa Livesay, Mobley’s foster mom, and Petunia’s owner, Anna Cunningham. |
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| Contest winners were, from left, Lucy (longest tongue) and Karen Bonilla, Cooper (tallest pug) and Val Smith, Beaumont (buggiest eye…he only had one) and Beth Webb, Romeo (curliest tail) and Erica Campbell, Macho Man (most wrinkles and oldest pug) and Cathy Hulse, Daisy (best trick) and Vicki Gibson, and Tina Curtis. Kneeling are Yoda (best individual costume) and Wes Mandrych, Emma and Sophie (best group costumer) and Megan Curtis. Not available for the photo were DeeDee (owner look alike) and Jessica Dietrick. |
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| Arthur aka Bubby is owned by Carol Brown of Grove City. He was having a fun day with other pug friends at the Ohio Pug Rescue Pugnic and Reunion May 24 at Whitehall Community Park. Bubby won the longest tongue competition in 2007, but relinquished the title this year to Lucy, owned by Karen Bonilla. Lucy’s tongue was about an inch longer. |
Whitehall Community Park went to the dogs May 24. About 200 little pug canines and their humans kicked their Memorial Day Weekend off at the tenth annual Ohio Pug Rescue Pugnic and Reunion. The extremely friendly, cute and short breed romped and entertained their way through the day.
Ohio Pug Rescue is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization. They offer surrender, foster care and adoption services to all homeless pugs in Ohio. They receive one per week from Franklin County Animal Shelter, and 155 were adopted last year. They have several waiting to be adopted.
One sweet guy stole the hearts of many. George is 10 years old and blind in both eyes. He lives in a foster home, but is hoping someone will permanently adopt him.
Vendors hawked pug purses, toy pugs, any and all merchandise for a pug or sporting a pug likeness. There were other pet items for any breed or dog lover, as well.
Pugs, along with their owners, entered contests in 10 categories, including owner look-alike, longest tongue, most wrinkles, buggiest eyes, tallest pug, curliest tail, best individual costume, best group costume, best trick and oldest pug.
Some rode in their own little strollers, cars and home crafted ship. It was like Halloween in May with a wide range of costumes such as the three little pig pugs and the big bad wolf, a skunk pug, bear pug and chicken pug.
This year’s queen and king had to be 10 years old to qualify, in honor of the tenth anniversary for the event. Petunia, owned by Anna Cunningham, and Mobley, fostered by Teresa Livesay, proudly wore their crowns and capes to be adored by their loyal and pug loving subjects.
President Terry Wolf said that they enjoy coming to Whitehall for the event each year. A few days prior, she received a proclamation from Mayor John Wolfe praising their humane work for the welfare of animals. There will be another event in September at Community Park, and details will follow.
For information, visit www.ohiopugrescue.com.
