Miami Herald

Pug parents share their love at meet-ups

Once a month, pugs and their owners gather at Waggle Bros. for a few hours of play and socialization.

BY CHRISTINA KENT
July 31, 2005

``Has Baron ever lost any teeth? Because Luna lost one this morning.''

``Yeah, when she was a baby she did lose a few. Does he let you brush his teeth?''

``Oh, he'll let me do anything to him.''

Although this may sound like a typical conversation between two parents about their toddlers, the topic was actually: pugs.

The exchange, between Jarad Scher and Monique Freitas, was overheard on a recent Saturday at Waggle Bros. Pet Resort and Spa on Biscayne Boulevard near Miami Shores. Meanwhile, black pug Luna and fawn-colored pug Baron tackled each other playfully.

Once a month, pug ''parents'' gather to socialize their dogs and make a few human friends in the air-conditioned comfort of Waggle Bros.

With their stout bodies, reputation as charming and personable dogs, and flat, wrinkled faces only a mother could love, pugs have become a popular breed and seem to inspire a special passion among their owners.

But their bodies are also prone to overheating, so air-conditioning is a requirement for play.

The meet-ups started in May and were organized by Miami Beach resident Jean-Marc de Silva, owner of Sidd, through Meetup.com.

''Pugs are special,'' de Silva said. ``They need to hang out with other pugs.''

Michele Scher, meet-up co-organizer, noted she and her husband had Luna's name picked out for about three years before they actually got her. ''She sleeps on the bed with us,'' Scher said. ``On top of my head.''

After a treat of coffee and doughnuts, the owners accompanied their pugs into a large recreational space where the dogs could get to know each other or resume old friendships. Once unleashed, the dogs were free to carouse under the watchful eyes of their owners.

Watching her pug Dixie play, Jenny Martinez remembered the first time Dixie saw a fellow pug on the street. 'She looked at the other pug like, `you look weird!,' which is funny because that's just how she looks,'' Martinez said.

Molly Park, owner of Rudy, chimed in, ''I have pictures all over my desk of my dog.'' Rudy got momentarily caught in a rainbow of leashes.

About 12 dogs showed up at the July gathering. The count included one obvious nonpug, greyhound mix Ginger, who also belongs to Martinez, owner of Dixie.

Meanwhile, de Silva's pug Sidd ran around in a mini-jersey that read, ''Ronaldo #9.'' He occasionally paused to jump on de Silva's lap. ''We should have a pug reality show,'' de Silva remarked to the group after a doggy kiss.

The next gathering, on Aug. 20, promises to be special for Sidd, since it will also be his birthday. There will be games and fashion show, and de Silva is also asking the other pug parents to bring a donation for Compassionate Pug Rescue in lieu of gifts.

Waggle Bros. co-owner Everett Burrell said he is hoping to host meet-ups by owners of other breeds. Since the first meet-up in May, Everett noted, pug owners have helped spread the word about Waggle Bros.' store and boarding facilities, which include webcams that allow working and vacationing owners to keep an eye on their pets' activities.

The business benefits of the meet-ups are obvious, Everett said: ``We scratch their back, they scratch ours.''

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