A snort and a yip: Pugfest takes place in Derry Township

Pugs of all shapes and sizes were snuffling, snorting and sending up good-natured barks during Pugfest, held Saturday at the Kingston Veterans & Sportsmens Club in Derry Township.

There were tiny, svelte black pugs with long craning necks. There were traditional-colored pugs with, perhaps, no chance of ever enjoying the luxury of a neck. There was even the brown, black, white, ticked and gray markings all over Michelle Comito’s “panda pug,” Ava.

“We have four pugs at home,” said Comito, who was one of hundreds of pug owners who regularly attend the annual fundraiser for the Guardian Angels Pug Rescue in Derry Township.

Guardian’s Patty Levay, of Derry Township’s Derbytown neighborhood, started the group in 1987 and began hosting Pugfest three years later in 1990 as her primary fundraiser.

“My first rescue was a dog whose owner had shot him and thrown him down the stairs,” Levay said. “After a few years, I needed money to keep doing the rescue work.”

Today, Levay has just under 20 pugs awaiting adoption at Guardian Angels, and introductions to potential new owners are one element of Pugfest.

Then there’s also entertainment like pug races, a contest for the longest tongue, an owner-pet lookalike contest, and more.

“They’re the friendliest dogs,” Levay said. “And they’re very loyal, unless food is involved. If there’s food, your pug’s loyalty goes right out the window. They’re funny, they’re silly, and they’ll play with anyone.”

For John Alukones of Renfrew, Butler County, a pug came along at just the right time — although to be technically accurate, 3-year-old Taz is a boxer-pug mix, with a sturdy build that had him towering over the vast majority of pugs at the festival.

“My dad had just passed away and I was feeling really lonely and depressed,” Alukones said. “I saw Taz at the shelter, and he avoided me at first. But when I knelt down, he ran right over and smacked me right in the face. How much more of a sign do you need than that?”

Comito said it’s hard to resist a pug’s charm.

“They’re the most lovable, loyal dog there is,” she said. “Although, you’ll never eat, sleep or pee alone ever again.”

Levay said she’s loved watching Pugfest grow over the years.

“At the first one, I think we had six vendors total,” she said. “This year we have 20 vendors and four food booths. We’re hoping more than 1,000 people will come by today.”