Chip’s Chat – May 2009

Guest Columnist – Gizmo Ege (a pug of some reknown…)

It’s Pug Parade time again!!! Don’t miss it! At noon on Saturday, May 9th in downtown Longview. All dogs are welcome, even dogs that just wish they were pugs.

Remembrances of Pug Parades Past

Take it from me. I’m a veteran of the pug parade tradition. I’ve seen a plethora of pugs, a pantheon of pugnacity, and perhaps the most peculiar, certain purebred pups of different breeds pondering the possibility of being a pug if only for a day.

Yes, I’m a pug myself. Every year I gather with my fellow pugs and pug wannabes to strut the streets of downtown Longview. OK, to be honest, we don’t strut too many streets. We’re pugs. Walk us around the block. That’s plenty of exercise. You ever try to catch your breath with a smashed in nose.

Our niche in the dog kingdom is that we’re adorable. We’re not border collies or labs. Let them bounce off the walls. It’s fun to watch those nutty dogs, but no self-respecting pug would join in. We’re the comedians of the dog world. Remember the old movie “Singin’ In The Rain?” Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds were getting all romantic, but meanwhile Donald O’Connor was doing pratfalls, making faces, and singing “Make ‘Em Laugh.” Donald O’Connor was a pug at heart.

Now a parade, that more a pug’s style—a nice leisurely pace, adoring crowds, marching bands. Wait a second, I’ve never seen a marching band at the pug parade. What gives? Couldn’t we at least have a kazoo band?

But then again we do have floats. You should have seen the one last year.  Somebody took a little red wagon, built a platform on top of it, and created a beach scene complete with sand, an umbrella, and two pugs in beach clothes. Those pugs were looking cool—just chillin’ on the beach.

Of course then there were the biker pugs. All of the family came dressed in their leathers, but so did all of the pugs.

So after this exhausting walk of 5 blocks or so, we finally reach the finish line, The Farm Dog Bakery. It’s a nice place run by nice people, and most importantly they make really good doggie treats. It’s a great place because it lets some special needs kids feel truly special.

Here’s where the contests begin—things like Best Costume, Best Dressed Family (including people), Best Pug Wannabe, and of course Best Kisser. This strange guy from The Dog Zone lies on the sidewalk, and invites us all over to lick his face. Believe me, I’ve licked better faces in my time, but I say come on pugs, let’s slobber this guy up. Let’s show him what pug love is all about.

So at noon on Saturday, May 9th I expect to see every furry flat face and curly tail in Cowlitz County lined up for the Pug Parade. Sure we’re short and funny-looking, but on this day PUGS RULE, EVERYBODY ELSE DROOLS!