Year Eight came to us with a share of new challenges. First, we had a Board Member step down around Christmas. Then we were told by Camp Westmont that the 2024 schedule this year would cut back our time by a day. So if we wanted to keep our traditional weekend, we would have to lose Thursday. Not only would this put on a lot more pressure to get campers situated while we ourselves were arriving, we would be losing a full day of fundraising.
After considering an unpleasant option or two, we decided to move the event at the start of the season rather than the end, which cut our prep time down by nearly three months.
Changing that schedule cost us a good number of our regulars who travel from long distances and had committed to another event scheduled the week before. It was a gamble, but we hoped the change would open us up to people who had never been able to attend previously. We operated on that assumption and proceeded to plan the event calendar. Taking some camper suggestions to heart, we packed the schedule with events, shortened the running times of a few and made a few more changes while we were at it. Utilizing the Boy’s Camp to consolidate attendees and events, putting arrivals and auction drop offs in the same place and generally keeping everything livelier. The weekend arrived and we hoped for the best.
Actually, to be more accurate, we planned for the best. We wanted this to be our best Pug Camp Ever.
Well, if you ask just about anyone, we accomplished it!
The weekend was a whirlwind of activities and, as usual, rain. But everyone remained in high spirits and, just as we hoped, we welcomed a great many new attendees. People who never had a chance to experience Pug Camp first hand were able to make the trip and everyone had a wonderful time!
We had eleven rescues running different events, with some new activities complimenting our usual favorites. We even had two meet and greets, which we felt was very important since we had so many new Campers.
The costume contest was great fun and some of this year’s outfits gave me belly laughs. The mimosa cart was, as always, super popular. We had Pebble Art, Pug Trivia, the Olympics and even a Hoedown!
As usual, the Camp Westmont staff took amazing care of us. We usually close out the season, this year we kicked it off and they were a little short handed. You’d never know it. Scott and Bari were on hand whenever we needed them, always happy to help or stop and chat. Of course, it wouldn’t be Pug Camp without Chef Cathy giving us the kind of food that nobody expect at an event like this. It’s always fun to see and hear the reactions of first timers as they walk out with Pasta Alfredo.
It’s truly amazing how everything fell into place and how everyone rallied to make it such an incredible event. The silent auction was a success, even battling dodgy Poconos wi-fi, but luckily, we had our crackerjack tech support on the job.
We even had a couple of special adoptions this time around. Dani Shafer of Wyoming Pug Rescue trucked a couple of Pugs cross country and united them with their new forever families. Marissa Perry and Peggy were happily united.
Not to mention Liberace, who found his home with me and Jodi.
He was a surrender from Las Vegas (hence his new name) and he immediately fit right in with his sibs Phoebe and Mugsy. Thank you so much, Dani. He’s such a loveable chonk who is the perfect McIntyre Pug!
It was an exhilarating weekend filled with love of pugs, camaraderie and fun, with so many long-time campers telling us it was our best Camp so far. Our new attendees were so thrilled to discover us and they, and we, hope they can come next year when we move back to our regular perch in August 2025. Where we hope to have record breaking attendance with both old and new friends!
Every year we strive to raise more money for rescues than the year before. Sometimes we do and sometimes it’s a struggle. This year, though, we shattered previous records and raised over $40,000.00 for Pug Squad and the participating rescues. That’s over $10k more than the previous year and when you consider we started in year one with around $15k, this is an insane number….with fewer attendees to boot! Not only do the participating rescues get to raise funds, but Pug Squad was able to replenish funds so we can continue to award grants to rescues nationwide throughout the year.
We couldn’t do this without the help of the rescues, donors, attendees and volunteers. We also want to give a huge shout out to new Pug Squad volunteers Carlene, Jamie and Joe, who were really instrumental in the planning and execution of the weekend. I personally want to extend my love and gratitude to my Squad. A finer group of people I have never met. You make this fun and I love you all.
See you all in August 2025!
It is hard to believe that we just finished our 6th Pug Camp. It’s our 5th at Camp Westmont, so in a way the first was kind of a shakedown; year zero as it were. But honestly, every year is a learning experience as we correct the mistakes of the prior events while making brand new ones!
u get here…what is your why…what rules your passion.
Ever fall into a hole so large and so deep that almost no light can penetrate the darkness? That was us for a time. However, there was a light. A bright one. It was the enormous group of people who rushed to our side whether in spirit or in person, to make sure we were okay. Even when we weren’t much fun, even when the tears flowed freely, they were there.
Guardian Angels covers Pennsylvania, parts of Ohio, WV, MD, NY, surrounding areas as needed and as space allows. They have saved hundreds of pugs during the over 30 years since Patti Levay founded the organization. One of their greatest success stories is 
Like many other organization s, the biggest challenge Guardian Angels faces is getting the money to continue to Rescue properly. “This involves not only the initial rescue, but the veterinary bills. Especially for the special needs Rescues or the injured or abused, neglected Rescues I take into Rescue. The initial veterinary visit costs from $45 – $58 just to walk through the door depending on which veterinary practice will take the Rescue on short notice. This is not to mention all the money spent on vaccines, heartworm tests, blood work ups, x-rays, spays and neutering and, when I am able, micro-chipping! Then there are the daily expenses of food, medicines, and keeping the shelter clean and repairs made as needed to make sure we can keep the rescues safe, comfortable and happy.”
Yes, a group of pugs is called a grumble. I didn’t make that up, but it’s freaking adorable. Particularly because pugs are generally the least “grumbly” breed of dog (although we have had exceptions). Goofy and mischievous, the pug is a source of smiles and amusement. And, like peanuts, we can’t have just one. Or even three. We’re insane, so right now we have six. And one of them is projectile vomiting because he was born with Megaesophagus. Mega E, according to PetMD, “is a generalized enlargement of the esophagus with a decreased to absent motility.” In other words, food goes to the wrong place, often the lungs, and Cosmo has to “regurge” or – worse – he aspirates and pneumonia is a real possibility. These days, poor Cos has been struggling. Lots of coughing and sleepless nights. Today, he’s kicking the day off with energy and a real sense of purpose. We unbend from our pretzel shapes, ignore the popping joints and start our day. Yes – all six sleep in the bed with us. I’m not crazy, you’re crazy. 
At mealtime, our house sounds like a kennel with all the barking and whining. I keep expecting the ASPCA or the town to show up. Food and meds are done and everyone gets their own bowl. Cosmo has a special elevated bowl with soaked food. Anthony gets chicken because his IBS can’t handle much else. Dex gets beef because he’s allergic to poultry. Butkus had a prescription food for his UTI and crystals, but he’s a picky eater, so we wound up drenching it in chicken broth. Thankfully, he’s better now and just has chicken. Alexis and Max are letting us off easy, but you risk royal displeasure if you don’t give Alexis her food in the pink bowl. Finally, we have the peaceful relative silence of pugs eating. Five minutes to get dressed; Butkus gets his drops for dry eye, Cosmo gets wiped down and we hope he doesn’t throw up his food – it’s a crap shoot. 
Back home again at 6:30. Cos gets another medication, I let them all out, do my thing with Butkus and then do a little snuggling. Butkus, Max and Cos lay on the couch next to me. Alexis and Dexter hit a dog bed and Anthony finds whatever remaining sunlight he can. An hour later, there’s some quick corralling and then I run out to get Jodi at the train station. Then it’s back home for din-din. This is a little easier since most of the meds are dispensed in the morning. But still, they get their special meals. All but Cosmo, who gets his meds and a lite snack to keep the vomiting to a minimum overnight. After that, things calm down as we and the pugs settle in for a night of TV. If we’re lucky, Dexter won’t pick a fight with anyone.
We award grants to worthy rescue groups and fire off donations to help support pugs who need urgent medical care. It is the core of what the Squad was created to do. However, we like to put the FUN in FUNdraising, so come on out and party down with The Squad and the bunch of celebrity Pugs who will be in attendance (who, you ask? No spoilers here).
“I feel the strongest representation of what [we do],” David said, “is a recently adopted senior. His name is Victor, and he’s the most calm, trusting and loving dog you could meet. At age 10, we knew taking him in would be tricky in regard to landing him a forever home, but we save all the dogs we can throughout the year. 
