I am the originator of this phenomenon. Back in 1993, I was the manager of a friendly neighborhood bar called The Local Option. It is located in Lincoln Park, Chicago IL. My pug "Knuckles" worked with me at the bar on the nights that I bar tended. He would greet and visit with the customers. We worked there for many years from 1987 through 1999. He developed quite a following and prompted a few customers to get Pugs of their very own.
One year we had a birthday party for Knuckles and there were 5 or 6 Pugs in attendance. It was great fun and most humorous. It was after that party that it dawned on me to have get-togethers several times a year. Let's see how many Pugs we can get together. I thought if we ever got 50 that would be unbelievable. Six years later, the mailing list has grown to 700 people. I have approximately 350 Pugs in the Chicagoland area. When we get together, which is 2 times a year, we have between 250 and 300 Pugs showing up. The events are coming in to the city with their families from downstate Illinois, northern Indiana, southern Wisconsin and surrounding suburbs. It's great, and I am happy everyone has such a great time. I have had a Pug for most of my life. My current one is "Knuckles". He is seventeen. So I go way back with these beasts. Maybe that is why I have become the "Pied Piper of Pugs". I don't know. But I do treat this calling with utmost honor, respect, and dignity.
I would like to thank all those who attend and participate at these gatherings. It has been a lot of silly fun. And please stay tuned for developments such as our web site: PugParty.com, and bigger and better Pug Parties!
Best Wishes
Ben & Knuckles
PUG PARTY MEDIA LIST
Chicago Sun Times – Tues July 30, 2002
WILD CHICAGO! WTTW CHANNEL 11 – Spring 2002
CHICAGO MAGAZINE “Best of Chicago Issue” – August 2001
CHICAGO READER “Night Spies” - October 2001
ANIMAL PLANET - Appearing Fall 2000. “Pet Project show.”
PUG TALK MAGAZINE – Volume 35 No.7 & 8 July - August 2000
WGN RADIO - Interviewed twice on by Steve Dale. On his early Saturday evening show
“Pet Central.” 1999
DOG GONE CHICAGO! - 1998 book by Steve Dale, See page 39 “Doggy Doings.”
WGN TV NEWS - 4/29/98. Mentioned with video footage.
CHICAGO SOCIAL MAGAZINE - Article June 1999 - See page 53.
DAILY HEARALD - TIME OUT! SECTION - Friday May 19, 2000
Front-page photo and multi page article.
SUNDAY CHICAGO TRIBUNE MAGAZINE - July 16, 2000 See page 24.
TOWN & COUNTRY MAGAZINE – March 2000
MAILING LISTS
Current postage mailing list: 430 people.
Current e-mail list: 700 people. |
