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SE CityHD Howl-O-Ween sees pugs dress up for a good cause; Money raised helps pay for rescuing dogs

BY Ilana Belfer

CR Ottawa CitizenWC 571 wordsPD 29 October 2012SN Ottawa CitizenSC OTCTED FinalPG B6LA EnglishCY Copyright © 2012 Ottawa Citizen

LPFrom bumblebees to ballerinas, hundreds gathered at the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre on Sunday tocelebrate Halloween. But when it came to fur, paws and snouts galore, it was no costume party.

"Howl-O-Ween" Pug Stock, now in its eighth year, is an annual event presented by Under My Wing, acharity dedicated to rescuing dogs. In particular, it only rescues pugs.

TDVolunteer Jennifer Gorman said Pug Stock is the organization's main fundraiser. The event included abake sale, silent auction, raffle and exhibitors, who donated a portion of their profits back to theorganization.

"Pug owners cannot resist putting costumes on their animals," she said. "A lot of people say once you goto pug, that's it. It's a lot of dog in a small package."

Under My Wing has no shelter or operating hours. All pugs go immediately into foster homes, of whichthere are currently 15, Gorman said. Six pugs, on display at the event, were available for adoption,including Milo, dressed as a pumpkin, and Ziggy, who was a devil for the day.

Geneviève Boucher, Under My Wing president and founder, said more and more people are coming toPug Stock each year, which is important because there are also more dogs in need of homes.

"People are not responsible enough. When you get a dog, it's not like getting a suitcase. You can't get ridof it. But as soon as they realize the dog needs to be walked and be fed, they do," she said.

Boucher works with other dog rescues to find the pugs, which come from puppy mills, families who givethem up or as strays. Some shelters, such as the Humane Society, call her if they get a pug that requiresextensive surgery or medical care. Under My Wing pays the necessary expenses, as well as for dentalwork, spaying and neutering, she said.

Despite the medical treatment covered by Under My Wing, some dogs require lifelong care.

Eleven-year-old Pep-er, which translates from French to English as "Grandpa," is blind and deaf. He alsogets panic attacks.

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"He probably had some bad experiences," said owner Natasha Dupuis. She said when she got him he hadlost half his hair. "But look how good he looks now," said Dupuis' wife, Christine Duchesne.

They originally intended to foster Peper, but Dupuis said she just couldn't let him go. Under My Wing isone of the few rescue organizations that allows foster families to adopt their dogs.

Chris Pezoulas attended the event with wife Kelly, mother-in-law Susan and seven-year-old daughterGrace, whose face was painted like a joker to match their dog Button's jester outfit. Kelly said flat-faceddogs have been in their family since her mother's childhood and that people love them because their faceselicit a "maternal instinct."

Whatever it is, Pezoulas summed it up best: "It's a cult. It's a culture," he said.

Since 2006, Under My Wing has rescued 239 pugs. Gorman said more than $6,000 was raised at thisyear's "Howl-O-Ween" Pug Stock event.

ART Pat McGrath, Ottawa Citizen / Jennifer Gorman shows off pug Milo, who is available for adoption, at PugStock on Sunday.;

RE caon : Ontario | cana : Canada | namz : North America

PUB Ottawa Citizen

AN Document OTCT000020121029e8at0001m

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