There’s a land that I see where the pugs all run free
And I say it ain’t far to this land from where we are…
Kismet, serendipity, destiny, dumb luck, fate. Call it what you will, but sometimes you have the right conversation at the right time with the right person.
That’s what happened to me just a short time ago.
Pug Camp is Born
I was out to dinner with my brother and his friend, and we started discussing a dog camp she attends every year. After describing to me a bit about this “doggie paradise” called Goldstock Camp, the wheels started turning…why can’t we do this for the pugs and pug rescues? The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to figure out a way to get this going.
Step 1: Buy a domain name.
This is my first step for anything. I design and build websites, so reserving the name is an obvious first step for me. Once I tried a few possibilities, I found pugcamp.com was available, and there, Pug Camp was born.
Step 2: Try and explain what a sleep away camp is to people that have never been.
This is no easy feat. People hear ‘camp’ and they imagine tents, cooking over an open fire, and peeing in the bushes.
This is none of those things. Don’t get me wrong, accommodations are not luxurious by any stretch of the imagination, but all plumbing and sleeping is indoors.
With Step 1 and Step 2 complete, someone suggested that perhaps I should attend this ‘Goldstock Camp’. It was coming up in a few weeks, and it would be the perfect opportunity to see not only the location, but how they have made Goldstock so successful for the last 18 years.
Step 3: Practical Experience
At 6:30 am, Pixel and I packed up the car and headed to Lakewood, PA to attend Goldstock Camp. My little black pug in a sea of golden retrievers.
We arrived at about 10:00 am, and I don’t think the smile left my face the entire time we were there.
After meeting up with my friend and getting shown around, Pixel and I headed down to the lake to watch the ‘Doggie Olympics’. There was a bit of free time before the events started, so I took Pixel off leash to see if she wanted to go in the water. To my surprise, and the amusement of many around me, Pixel ran into the water, made fast friends with some golden buddies, and proceeded to show everyone that pugs can be quite fast.
There were many events while we were there, and every event raises money for a rescue. For them, thats a Golden Retriever rescue, for Pug Camp, it would be pug rescues.
I didn’t attend, but they also did a candle lighting ceremony at night to honor all the lost dogs that crossed the rainbow bridge. I thought that was a beautiful idea and a wonderful way for those that have lost their much loved dogs to honor and remember them.
Step 4: Converting Dream to Reality
All I could think about was, “Can we pull this off? Can we really get enough pug lovers interested to make Pug Camp a success from year one?”
I think we can.
Where else can you take a trip where your pug is not only invited, but actually the guests of honor?
Where a full weekend away would cost $150 per person (early bird special)—and that includes meals?!
Where the money raised would go to the participating pug rescues across the US?
So, we have to try. We have to pull this off. The fundraising and fun raising potential make it too hard not to.
Step 5: Get The Word Out
Mark your calendars, the first ever Pug Camp is coming.
August 25-27, 2017
I don’t think it can be missed.
If you volunteer with a pug rescue, or are closely involved with one, please tell them about Pug Camp.
